Concert Grand Piano Banks
For the convenience of touring performers and in the belief that every D-274 is somewhat different in character, Steinway maintains a collection of D-274s in “concert grand piano banks” across the world for instance, the company maintains more than 40 in the basement of Steinway Hall in Manhattan. Such pianos are given “CD” designators, and they receive replacement stencils calculated for greater visibility at a distance. A pianist visiting one of these banks may sample and choose from a range of D-274s, according to taste, for public performance or recording Steinway prepares and transports the chosen instrument, although the artist bears the cost of these services. As noted above, some artists have developed affinities for particular instruments included in this program the requirement that instruments so supplied be credited to Steinway led to Olga Samaroff’s above-mentioned purchase of a D-274 on which to make records.
How Much Does A Steinway Grand Piano Cost
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The short answer: somewhere between $70,000 and $150,000.
For many musicians, a Steinway grand piano is their dream piano. Most serious musicians have played one and recognise them to be some of the very best pianos that exist. While there are more expensive pianos, namely luxury models by Bosendorfer and Fazioli, the Steinway represents the goal for the aspiring classical pianist the piano everybody wants to own.
Unfortunately, while not the priciest piano you can buy in the world, a Steinway grand piano is not far off. Thats why owning one remains a dream for the vast majority of people Steinway pianos are just far too expensive. The most expensive model, designed for huge concert halls, costs in the region of $200,000. You could buy a house for that kind of money!
Fortunately, there are cheaper models, so your dreams of owning a Steinway may not be shattered just yet.
Factors That Affect The Price Of Steinway Pianos
If youve ever been to a piano showroom or even shopped online for a Steinway piano, you might notice the prices vary greatly. This has a lot to do with the market. Even more so, the average price of a Steinway is greatly affected by the size of the piano and what materials are used in the finish.
The Piano Finish Affects The Price
For example, a Steinway D in a basic Polished ebony or Satin finish costs around $171,100. Now, compare that price to a new Steinway D made with a Mahogany finish that runs at $200,000.
There are even special models that come in unique finishes like polished white, finishes with unique engraving, encrusted precious stones, and much more. Some of the more unique and more expensive finishes include Indian Rosewood, Macassar Ebony, Dark Cherry, and Kewazinga Bubinga.
Generally speaking, custom or limited edition Steinway pianos are going to cost significantly more than a standard satin or ebony finish.
Bigger Pianos Cost More
Size really does play a part in the final price of a Steinway piano. The bigger the instrument, the more wood materials, action parts and labor required to build that piano. Bigger pianos provide much more tone, and aesthetically they look better.
In some situations, smaller pianos may actually fetch a bigger price than the bigger ones. This has a lot to do with the condition of the piano, whether its a state of the art design, or even if it has Steinways Spirio technology built-in.
Pricing Based On The Current Market
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How Does This Make You Feel
What happens to you, the customer, as you make your way down their website? Its only natural for you to develop fears about buying a pre-owned Steinway. After all, this is the work of a very successful and highly-paid marketing team. Please dont feel like a sucker at being swayed by them. They not only changed your mind, they changed an entire marketplace.
Artists’ Preference Geographic Origin And Specific Instruments
Steinway manufactures the ‘D’ in two factories, one in New York and one in Hamburg, Germany. Outwardly, New York and Hamburg ‘D’s differ most noticeably in finish, with the former displaying traditional satin lacquer and the latter high-gloss polyester. Differences in the respective instruments’ tone and playing character, however, have led particular pianists to gravitate to the output of one factory or the other Vladimir Horowitz, for instance, preferred a New York ‘D’, whereas , Alfred Brendel, Mitsuko Uchida, Burkard Schliessmann, Grigory Sokolov, Arcadi Volodos, Artur Rubinstein and Krystian Zimerman were partial to the Hamburg product. Garrick Ohlsson preferred the brilliance of the Hamburg instrument in his youth, but the warmth of the New York ‘D’ as he matured. Sergei Rachmaninoff bought three ‘D’s, all New York products, for his homes in the United States, but he installed a Hamburg ‘D’ in his Swiss villa. The difference between the New York and Hamburg Steinway pianos is less noticeable today. Pianist and Steinway ArtistEmanuel Ax says that “… the differences have more to do with individual instruments than with where they were made.”
Several artists have developed documented association with particular ‘D’s. Examples would include the following:
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What Makes Each Steinway Grand Piano Unique
When considering which model of Steinway is best for you, its important to consider all the factors that go into each model. The price point is likely to be most important to you, but also consider that Steinway gives a primary purpose to each model which may help you decide which is right for you.
The Model S is the cheapest model available from Steinway and is also the smallest. It measures just 5 1 and so is bordering on being a baby grand. This means it has shorter strings than Steinways other offerings and so the sound will not be as loud or deep as other models. It is best to consider this model if space would be a serious issue. This piano costs between $65,000 and $72,000 depending on the finish you want and which dealer you go to.
The Model M is the next step up from the Model S. It is one of the most common Steinways to find in a home and costs between $63,000 and $70,000. The longer strings give it the perfect amount of resonance and sound for home use without being impractically big or too loud. For this reason, the Model M is my top pick if you are looking to get a Steinway for yourself.
The Model O is very similar to the Model M but is slightly bigger. While the Model M is 5 7, the Model O is 5 10 which again helps to provide some additional resonance to the piano and creates a more impressive-looking instrument. This piano costs between $71,000 and $78,000.
Popular Accounts Of Manufacture
At least three independent accounts have detailed the process by which Steinway manufactures the D-274. In 1982, Michael Lenehan published an article in Atlantic Monthly in which he followed the construction of a D-274, designated as K 2571 during manufacture and later, after its adoption into the piano bank program, as CD-129. A somewhat revised version of the article posted to the Internet includes information updated in 1997. The original article, dating to approximately the time of the company’s sale to CBS, described many practices held over from the 19th century, mostly personalized by focusing on individual employees tasked with performing them, but it also touched on what then were prospective changes under consideration to modernize certain aspects of production. The 1997 update continues that approach, updating the various personal stories but also detailing the company’s subsequent ownership history and adoption of selected new production methods.
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How Loud Are Grand Pianos
Grand pianos can get significantly loud depending on the grand piano type, the room size, floor material, and the lids position.
Concert grands can go up to 110 decibels, as loud as a rock concert. That is why most grand pianos are not recommended for small rooms.
Grand pianos, especially concert grands, can go extremely loud. This is because they are built to resonate with the sound as much as possible. Even the smallest baby grand pianos are pretty loud for tiny rooms.
The loudness of a grand piano depends on the type of the piano, as the baby grand is the smallest and the quietest, and the concert grand is the largest and the loudest of all.
The room size is also important as sound bounces between the walls.
The floor material is also crucial for the sound to bounce and strengthen.
If the material is something hard like tiles, the sound can reflect from the floor, while soft materials like carpet absorb the sound making the sound go off.
Finally, the position of the piano lid creates a big difference. When the lid is open, sound freely travels around the room, getting louder.
However, when the lid is closed, the sound is absorbed inside the tail of the piano, and the instrument gets slightly quieter.
Youve Tried A Few Steinway Grand Pianos
Maybe visited the Steinway Piano Gallery, or snuck on stage after a concert of a well-known pianist at your local university. You have tasted the rich, exquisite, iconic, Steinway sound, sweeter and finer than your favorite glass of Cabernet. You know the data, youve tasted the goods, you just want what every thoughtful, fair-minded, diligent person wants.
Steinway Artists are not paid to play a Steinway, nor do they receive a Free Steinway for personal use. Steinway Artists choose to perform on Steinway pianos.
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Steinway As The Sum Of Its Parts
Youre telling me that if one felt covering is a different brand, the entire piano is not a Steinway? An inch of felt is all it takes to undo the magic of your craftsmanship?
Thats really selling your brand short. Steinway used to be considered greater than the sum of its parts.
Screenshot from Official Steinway Site. : http://www.usedsteinwaypiano.com/
So What Is The Price Of A Spirio
Spirio Models start around $113,000 and reach over $200,000 . The Spirio Play model adds an additional $27,500 to the price of a Steinway Model M or Model B grand piano.
The newer Spirio | r, with its added recording and high definition editing technology, adds a total of $45,000 to the new Steinway Grand Model M, B, or D .
Lets look into four key areas, related to the cost of the only self-playing piano to meet the high standards set by Steinway & Sons.
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Steinway Grand Piano Pricing
The cost of a Steinway grand piano depends on the model and the finish. New Steinway grand pianos produced in the Queens, New York, factory are available in six different models with four standard finishes available. With each increasing in price, the available finishes are satin ebony, polyester-polished ebony, polyester-polished ebony with sterling hardware and lacquer-polished ebony.
Model types include:
The Steinway & Sons factory in Hamburg, Germany produces seven models of Steinway grand pianos that are comparable in size to those produced in Queens. The additional C-227 model falls between the Model B and Model D in size, measuring 7 5 1/2. Steinway grand pianos produced in Hamburg have a polished ebony finish.
Below are the prices and sizes of Steinway grand pianos constructed in Hamburg:
- S-155: The S-155 measures 5 1 and is priced at $80,200.
- M-170: The M-170 measures 5 7 and is priced at $88,000.
- O-180: The O-180 measures 5 10 1/2 and is priced at $93,100.
- A-188: The A-188 measures 6 2 and is priced at $99,400.
- B-211: The B-211 measures 6 11 and is priced at $115,800.
- C-227: The C-227 measures 7 5 1/2 and is priced at $136,000.
- D-274: The D-271 measures 8 11 3/4 and is priced at $175,700.
The Best Way To Find The Best Concert Grand Piano For You
Individuals and institutions interested in buying a concert grand piano know that such an investment will require a step-by-step process to assure the right selection for them. Premium piano companies who make concert grands are ready to assist such buyers with a tried and true approach to finding the right piano.
For example, the Steinway Selection Process gives peace of mind to the institutions and individuals interested in participating in this structured, deliberative approach to piano buying.
The fact that Steinway instituted this process years ago illustrates how extraordinarily special concert grands are.
Once you are serious about buying a concert grand, you can try some Steinway Model Ds and other brands concert grands at their authorized dealers to make comparisons. This is a huge purchase and one to be taken with great care.
Then you can determine if the Steinway Selection Process is for you.
Take an inside look at one institutions purchase of a concert grand for their university and how the Steinway Selection Process worked for them:
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How Much Does A Grand Piano Cost
A brand new grand piano would cost you around $10,000 to $200,000. The producer, the retailer, the type, and the model are highly important for the price.
While entry-level grand pianos cost around $10,000, mid-range ones cost about $30,000, and high-end ones cost over $30,000.
The producer is one of the most important aspects when it comes to grand pianos.
Instruments from Steinway and Sons are known for their top-quality grand pianos and have some of the highest prices, starting from $80,000 and going up to $300,000.
Yamaha is another high-end and popular producer when it comes to grand pianos, and their prices can go up to $200,000.
The type of grand piano is another important factor in the price.
- Petite Grand 411 $7.000 to $20.000
- Baby Grand 411 to 51 $8.000 to $50.000
- Parlor Grand 59 to 62 $10.000 to $50.000
- Medium Grand 52 to 58 $25.000 to $70.000
- Ballroom Grand 610 to 9 $60.000 to $250.000
- Concert Grand 7 to 10 $130.000 to $300.000
The second-hand grand piano market has more reasonable prices as you can find decent grand piano models around the $15,000 to $25,000 price range.
Another option for tighter budgets is to go for a brand new baby grand piano, which would cost around $10,000 to $50,000.
The Value Of 21st Century Digital Craftsmanship
Steinway wants nothing to go out under its name without an exhaustive testing process. This is true for any Steinway product but especially Spirio, with the complexities involved in integrating new audio technology with a Steinway grand.
As the worlds oldest dealer of Steinway pianos, M. Steinert & Sons has an extensive understanding of all Steinway products, especially the Spirio, which we have been carrying since its launch in 2016.
The state-of-the-art technology and engineering innovations created by the engineers at Steinway & Sons account for a significant amount of the value present in each Steinway Spirio piano.
What kind of engineering innovations?
As one example, in order to achieve the high resolution now available in every Spirio grand, Steinway engineers had to place over 1,000 levels of sensitivity per key.
This is not your grandfathers player piano. This is extraordinarily advanced audio technology, software development, and electronic engineering, all designed to produce the high resolution, nuanced sound any audiophile seeks.
Such innovation is necessary to achieve the experience of having Irving Berlin or Vladimir Horowitz interpret a piano piece. That performance is played out on the Spirio keyboard in the same, precise manner as when these piano masters were recorded years ago.
High resolution technology is needed to offer the same, precise, subtle soft and loud key strikes that a Steinway immortal played in their prime.
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Development Of The Modern D
In 1878, Steinway began producing their new small Models ‘A’ and ‘B’ with laminated maple cabinets, creating the modern “rim” case: Very long, thin planks of maple were slathered with hide glue, bent around a form, clamped together and allowed to dry. This process made rim fabrication quicker, and the resultant structure stronger and more stable. It also was cheaper, requiring fewer man-hours and being less wasteful of hardwoods that need several years of storage and precise seasoning. This speedier production method was of great advantage in a time of huge demand for good pianos.
In 1880, the two big grand models ‘C’ and ‘D’ were changed accordingly. The old ‘Henry’-designed C grand also got a covered pinblock and a ‘rim’ , and the concert grand Model ‘D’ which had made a great success on the Centennial Exhibition 1876 in Philadelphia also got a ‘rim’ case. There are nearly no two identical grands of the 424 Centennial D-270 once built. One will find at nearly every grand tiny modifications. So one can regard the concert grand Centennial D-270 as a transient model for continuous improvement. Of the known still existing Centennial grands, there is ca. a 2/3 portion with ‘constructed case’ and a 1/3 portion with ‘rim’.
Of the approximately 600,000 pianos Steinway has built , about 25,000 are Models ‘D’. Only 424 of the predecessor “Centennial D” pianos were built about 30 are still known to exist.
The Cost Of A Steinway Piano
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Established in 1853, Steinway & Sons commands a reputation for producing pianos unlike any other. Steinway pianos feature unparalleled beauty, craftsmanship and endurance, as well as a rich and powerful performance that defines the Steinway sound. Over the last century and a half, Steinway has received several patents for piano components that revolutionized the piano and positioned Steinway as the industry leader. Each new Steinway piano offers improvements upon earlier models, while used Steinways can retain their exceptional quality for decades.
Despite market changes and fluctuations, Steinway pianos have reliably appreciated ever since their invention. As each new model is released, the factory price of a Steinway piano and the value of existing models increase. Each year, Steinway piano prices rise about four percent. The price of a 50-year-old Steinway piano is more than nine times its original cost. With the cost of Steinway pianos continually rising, a Steinway piano is a worthwhile investment for any pianist or piano enthusiast.
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