What is the best brand of a new upright piano?

Question

What is the best brand of a new upright piano?

Answer 1

Upright pianos? Yamaha is the best. They provide a feeling of ease when the keys are depressed, even when playing extremely difficult pieces. In terms of grand pianos, I would have to say that Steinway is the best.

Answer 2

EVERY ANSWER IS WRONG HERE...



First of all, Steinway Uprights aren't the best pianos. They are only average because Steinway spend the majority of they resources developing their concert grand instruments. The Steinway upright is expensive and if you want to get a Steinway, get a grand.



Yamaha - They are okay. In ten years, when the wood tries, the sound becomes very metallic and difficult to take. The action gets very loose and worn on a Yamaha quickly. Of course their are exceptions.



Baldwins - The war horses of uprights. These are great instruments because they last. Not the most attractive, pretty plain, pretty square looking uprights but will serve the job.



Kawai - Probably the best upright only because they have three working pedals. On all other uprights, the middle pedal does not hold the note "sostenuto". It's only an apartment pedal which drops a felt over the hammers to dampen the sound. The Kawai though, has an actual working sostenuto middle pedal. The action is firm and lasts on a Kawai.



Now one has to consider tone, type of action, and sound. I suggest that you try a number of different pianos and see which one is best for you. You don't buy a piano just on the make, you have to play them, see which one you like and which one suits you. Also, you have to consider the costs, because some cost a lot more than others. Don't buy Steinway unless you get a grand because paying $3500 extra for a Steinway upright over a Baldwin is ridiulous and a complete waste of money.

Answer 3

Every piano (not just every brand, but every instrument) is different! Some brands make more consistently good instruments. Yamaha and Kawai mass-produce their pianos, so one is usually about as good as another, after it has been broken in, while under the care of a good piano technician, and before the hammers get packed down beyond repair. Some of the finest upright pianos I have ever played have been Steinways. I have also played some really terrible-sounding pianos made by all brands.

Answer 4

Well of course, Steinway must be great, but they truly have the best grand pianos. Yamaha does a great job for value against tone, and I use them a lot for piano accompaning at school, but the best overall quality of upright pianos I have used are Baldwin or Bosendorffer. One of my 2 piano teachers uses a Baldwin upright, the same one she has used for the past 35 years, and I still can't believe my ears when I hear it, it still has an amazing tone. Bosendorffer has more of a, well, a sound that could be used for Chopin's waltzes or more of a Romantic sound period. They are simply wonderful, and the price will be much more than a Baldwin or Yamaha. Don't bother to get a Steinway, unless you are ready for a grand piano. I don't even have a Steinway grand, I have a Yamaha Grand. Look for a well kept used piano, new pianos have a break-in period, and in that time your piano will sound more muffled than a older piano. Well kept, tuned, used pianos are usually better than their new comparitive.

Answer 5

Though my answer certainly isn't as thorough as Chinese Cowboy's, I want to add that Kawai pianos aren't that great. I have a Kawai piano, and its sound can be rather sharp and metallic. However, its keys and action are excellent, very easy to play. And there's only one model of Kawai upright with a full sostenuto pedal, the K-80.



The sound of a Yamaha is fuller and more brilliant, at least when the instrument is new. But as it gets older, the sound may start to get muddled, especially in the lower notes.



I think a Kawai is a good choice, or Baldwin (which also has a very pretty sound). Remember to keep your piano in good condition and get a tuner to tune it once or twice a year.

Answer 6

Brand snobbery will get you nowhere but the poor house. Get a copy of Larry Fine's "The Piano Book" and spend a little time on research. There are plenty of excellent uprights and even more fine grands. US Brands: Steinway Mason & Hamlin Baldwin (Gibson Music) also Chickering. Charles R. Walter European: Grotian Steinweg August Forester Playel Schultz Pullman Petrof etc. Asian Kawai Yamaha Boston (Steinway brand) Wurlitzer (Baldwin brand) ... and about a thousand more

Answer 7

Professional Pianists Love Baldwin, or Steinway and sons. They have a hard action in their keys and dark sound comparing with Yamaha.



Yamaha has a little bit easier action in the keys and brilliant sound. I would say all 3 are good brands.



I prefer Yamaha because I love Brilliant sound and the action is easier for me to play.



But this is something really personal. I would tell you to go to a piano store and play the pianos they have all brands and all types. You can decide then what is the best piano for your hands ears ant feet.



In My case, I prefer Yamaha.

Answer 8

I haven't played on very many pianos, but personally, from what I've played, Yamahas are overall good pianos. I also played on a really nice K Kawai.

Answer 9

Stienway, by far.

Answer 10

steinway, by far