🎹 The World's Best Piano Brands 🎹

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#WorldsBestPianoBrands #PianoBrands #BestPianos
0:00 - Video Introduction on the World’s Best Piano Brands
0:21 - Steinway and Sons
1:24 - Yamaha
2:18 - C. Bechstein
3:22 - Bösendorfer
4:16 - Blüthner
4:57 - Kawai
5:54 - Fazioli
6:36 - Schimmel
7:11 - Pearl River
8:01 - Final Thoughts
Hi everyone and welcome back to another piano video here on the Merriam Pianos KZbin channel.
1. Steinway & Sons
Established in 1853, Steinway & Sons is arguably the most recognized name in the piano world. Known for their early innovations, longevity and broad tonality, they make a range of pianos that are loved by both professionals and hobbyists alike.
2. Yamaha
Yamaha is one of two major Japanese brands that has become a household name in music. They may produce dozens of different types of instruments, but it all began with their pianos back in the early 1900's. Being the first Asian-made piano to successfully marry the efficiencies of large-scale production with European and American piano design, they've built a loyal fan base who consistently rely on their solid musical performance at affordable price points.
3. Bechstein
Bechstein, nicknamed "the king of pianos", is the largest premium piano producer in Europe, and like Steinway in America, was an important innovator and icon of luxury throughout the later 1800's and various periods of the last 100 years. They have undertaken a complete overhaul of their entire lineup and production over the last 10 years, and with substantial new investment from its German ownership, appears well positioned to extend their European prominence into North America and Asia. Bechstein-branded pianos are built in Germany, with their more affordable W. Hoffmann line built in the Czech. Bechstein's are known for their exacting construction, colourful tonality and precise actions.
4. Bösendorfer
Based in Vienna, Bösendorfer has been making high-quality pianos since 1828. Their pianos have a distinctive tone that usually delivers a warm, brassy bass and singing, lyrical treble. Following their purchase by Yamaha, the tone and construction of the pianos have moved towards a typically modern concert sound with their VC line, although they have maintained some of their models in the traditional spruce rim format. The instruments are highly prized, although they remain more popular in home settings
5. Blüthner
Like Bechstein and Steinway and Bosendorfer, Bluthner was considered one of the "big 4" European producers, and it remains a unique and respected builder. Based in Leipzig, Germany, Blüthner has been crafting pianos since 1853, and include several distinct features such as their alloquot scale that deliver a distinct, golden tone.
6. Kawai
Along with Yamaha, Kawai is the other highly-respected Japanese builders. Kawai pianos are known for their innovative technology, such as the use of ABS-Carbon for their actions, and their even scale designs and rich, warm sound. Their Shigeru Kawai hand-made pianos were amongst the first Asian-made instruments to be considered on par with a European standard, and remain highly prized for their exacting hand-made construction and versatility. Kawai also has a large digital offering, and along with Yamaha has one of the widest product ranges of any piano builders on earth.
7. Fazioli
An Italian brand established in 1981, Fazioli has quickly gained a reputation for their superior quality and expressive grand pianos.
8. Schimmel
Founded in 1885 in Germany, Schimmel pianos are recognized for their superior craftsmanship and resonant sound. They remain built in Germany, and have a distinctive touch and sonic playing experience, with a highly shimmery treble and exquisite sustain.
9. Pearl River
Pearl River remains a great alternative to used instruments and increasingly a reliable and trusted option for mid and high-level students as well.
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[@bananacakeofficial8550]

god you are underrated, I watched your Kawai es120 video and i fell in love with the amount of details you've left for us, and since that video I've watch countless other digital pianos from Kawai and recently bought a CN 201!

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks so much for tuning in! I will be sure to pass along your kind notes to Stu! Congrats on your CN201! It is an excellent piano with a wonderful touch and tone. I know you will be thrilled with it! :)

[@benjaminsmith2287]

The Yamaha conclusion almost makes Yamaha sound like a piano for lower-level students. But Yamaha is a brand chosen by professionals and is more than a reliable workhorse. It's that in institutions, but it is also a standard on the Classical competition stage, a recording studio favorite, and is one of the most used pianos by professional musicians in many venues. The CFX is a highly regarded concert grand as well. Not sure why you didn't say it was the choice of professionals and advanced musicians. Yamaha ranges from the low end to the Steinway and Sons high end as well. Just like Kawai. There are other brands too that are great like Grotrian Steinweg, Mason and Hamlin, Stuart and Sons from Australia and some like Petrof, Estonia and others. The best-known brands are some of the best but there are equally great brands that aren't as well known. Most people don't know Bechstein, Bosendorfer, Bluthner, Schimmel or even Fazioli.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! It is certainly true that there are a variety of amazing pianos being made by brands that the general public would be unaware of. Brand recognition and quality are not necessarily correlated elements. Also, there is no doubt that Yamaha makes high-quality and reliable instruments at all levels, including instruments that are appropriate for professional use. At the end of the day, any declaration of determining something as the "best" will be a subjective matter. Thanks again and happy playing! :)

[@gustavogo2915]

You don’t even own a digital keyboard yet you always comment as if you know a thing or two 🤡

[@russd.522]

Mason & Hamlin always gets snubbed on these lists. Their 9’4 CC-VX and the BB-VX, are absolutely incredible pianos. They have a smaller production turnaround (made in the USA) but many pianists prefer them to Steinway pianos and they’re at a significantly lower price point. Their innovations include the WNG composite actions (my personal favorite action of all time) updated action frames, a full-perimeter cast iron plate for greater tuning stability and the patented tension resonator to support the rim and soundboard. All of which contribute to a robust instrument that captures the American piano sound with incredible build quality and continuing innovation.

[@MerriamPianos]

Mason & Hamlin certainly make outstanding pianos and are one of the leading innovators of the modern piano. With that said, it is difficult to cover every brand when making these lists and brand recognition and quality of materials and craftsmanship are not directly correlated. Thanks for sharing your insights and happy playing! :)

[@russd.522]

@@MerriamPianos Understandable, I just wish the new Mason & Hamlin pianos were discussed more, especially on channels such as this which have an enormous fan base (myself included) that are eager to learn more about the latest and greatest in piano technology. M&H still thrives and seems to be an “in-the-know” maker amongst serious pianists and technicians, but it really deserves to be as common of a name as Steinway.

[@Cloud-dq1mr]

" that captures the American piano sound" What is "the American piano sound" ? Please explain.

[@russd.522]

@@Cloud-dq1mr I freely admit it is a generalization, but Asian made pianos tend to have a brighter sound compared to pianos made in Europe or the USA. European pianos tend have have great clarity in their tone, more delicacy and focus, whilst American pianos have a bit of a rich, fat tone. There are exceptions to this, but one of the distinct things I’ve heard pianists say is how much an American piano’s bass string section can “growl” when played. This has been true for me on finely voiced Steinway, M&H and larger Baldwin pianos. Ultimately, there are many schools of thought in piano building and voicing, but the wood selection, methodology and tonal preferences vary by region.

[@qrstw]

They still have some ways to go in order to compete with the likes of fazioli and steingraeber, hence why they aren't as popular in Europe.

[@rain_down_]

I do like these bite size features - quite unique and informative. A lot of parallels with the car industry I suppose in that Germany and Japan provide some of the biggest and most admired manufacturers, and Italy always provides an interesting and stylish alternative. A real testament to the engineering passion and expertise in these countries.

[@MerriamPianos]

For sure! The parallel to the car industry is a very appropriate one to make given the countries responsible for manufacturing the products as well as the respective price points. :)

[@headsman2023]

Loved loved loved this video♥️♥️♥️thanks

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for tuning in! :)

[@mickandrews9458]

That is a very brave video to put together. I can imagine people asking why the likes of Steingraeber, Sauter, Grotrian-Steinweg and maybe August Förster are not on your list. Always a great way of inviting debate!

[@MerriamPianos]

Inevitably, it is impossible to feature every brand that people may consider to the be the best as the whole topic is highly subjective. The intention of this video is to shine a light on some of the most popular choices across the globe. :)

[@davidalarconquinones87]

Fazioli Estonia Mason and Hamlin, Sauter...

[@vickigreene4288]

Enjoyed this video!

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks! We're glad you liked it! :)

[@tangopaparomeo338]

Stu, very nice overview, thank you. I noticed you mentioned the Shigeru Kawai handmade pianos from Kawai but not the direct (?) competitor, the Yamaha SX series. Are these pianos not on the radar?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much for tuning in! While there will always be subjectivity and personal preference at play with these types of conversations, it is important to note that comparable price points do not always make pianos like-to-like comparisons. There are other reasons beyond quality of materials and design specifications why some manufacturer's instruments are priced higher or lower than others. With that said, the Shigeru Kawai pianos are built to a higher standard and, consequently, are ranked higher by a variety of sources, including Larry Fine. To that point, some consider the fully-handcrafted Yamaha CF line to be the better point of comparison to the Shigeru Kawai SK line. However, once again, this will always be a highly-subjective topic with a range of opinions. :)

[@keys6]

Mine made the list!!! Rittmuller.. thank you for this Stu Harrison - appreciated 😊 I am a beginner/early intermediate of 3 years...

[@MerriamPianos]

Ritmüller make exceptional pianos with some of the best cost-to-value ratio in the business! Happy playing and enjoy your beautiful Ritmüller piano! :)

[@keys6]

@@MerriamPianos aaah thank you! ❤️

[@samuelsullivan9546]

At age 78, I started to learn the piano. About six months ago, I bought a Rittmuller and just love it. It will last the rest of my life.

[@trainroomgary]

Great information - I play on a 1991 Kawai KG-2E • 5' - 10" Satin Black - Hobby Pianist 🚂

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in! That is awesome! The Kawai KG models are excellent pianos! :)

[@markheathcote3440]

I see you measured your words carefully when speaking about Schimmel. As I understand it, they are currently owned by Pearl River, which would make them a Chinese brand now, but still manufactured in Germany (and possibly in Kalisz, Poland, but that is a bit unclear to me), so what you said was correct... and not to be confused with Fridolin Schimmel from the same company, but made in China.

[@MerriamPianos]

You are correct. There are three lines of Schimmel pianos: Chinese made Fridolin Schimmel, Polish made Wilhelm Schimmel, and German made Schimmel pianos. While the German Schimmels are naturally a step above in terms of quality and craftsmanship. The other lines are excellent performers at their respective price points. :)

[@markheathcote3440]

@@MerriamPianos Ah, thanks for clarifying the three different lines.

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

Bosendorfer is owned by Yamaha. Does that make them a Japanese brand?🎹🎶

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 In my opinion, absolutely not. I don't think when a brand gets bought it necessarily changes nationalities. It all depends on how the parent company manages the purchased brand. Bosendorfer now gets a lot more marketing and is infused with cash, but it's the same Viennese Bosendorfer it always was.

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@benjaminsmith2287 my thoughts exactlly. One more question. Is the 290 Imperial still being made?🎹🎶

[@antoniomaccagnan7200]

All concert pianos are wonderfully crafted. But, unlike other high-end products, tuning and voicing make a great deal of difference in the final sound of a piano. And then there are the peculiarities of each single instrument. Artists trying several identical models in show rooms always remark on individual differences in tone, sound, and action.

[@MerriamPianos]

These are all excellent points of course! Selecting a piano (especially a high-end one) is a very emotional, personal, and subjective matter that comes down to the preferences and tastes of the player. :)

[@kurtkaufman]

And consider the environment in which the piano will be used. The showroom is likely very different from a home. A family of non pianists wishing to purchase a piano for their child should absolutely bring along a skilled pianist. If you really want to give yourself the benefit of the doubt, aside from the brand, which would most likely be obvious to the pianist anyway, ask to remove the prices to avoid confirmation bias.

[@saufihmzh]

😊

[@cyrocicco]

Hello! Do you see any problem in putting a blanket or some type of foam material on the back of an upright piano in order to quiet it down a little bit? My piano's manufacturer manual states that pianos have to breathe. What do you think?

[@zaheedhasib]

I am pretty sure I am neither an advanced student or a professional, however, I love my C. Bechstein.

[@MerriamPianos]

It would be difficult for any player of any level not to fall in love with a C. Bechstein piano! ;)

[@matteobertagnin1848]

Hi Stu, congratulations on your always very accurate and balanced advice! In these months I'm really looking to buy a new upright piano (grand won't fit in the house...) and I'd like your opinion about the actions. I've heard good things about those from Feurich ("KAMM speed action") and Schimmel ("Konzert" series instruments) especially because of the ability to do very fast and agile repetitions. This is interesting, because this is kind of the problem with the upright piano, which is habitually less responsive than the grand piano. Also, I really like the Bosendorfer sound (upright 120 and 130) but I have not yet been able to try one to see how quick its response is in fast notes. Could you help me with a comparison? In your experience what is the best action in this regard? Fortunately, my budget is quite good, so I can choose the instrument that suits me best. I saw from one of your videos that Steinway 132 is quite "hard" instead, so I don't consider it among my choices. Thank you very much!!! MATTEO

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi Matteo! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for supporting our channel and writing in with your question and comparison suggestion! Given that we do not carry Feurich or Bosendorfer pianos, it would be difficult to facilitate a comparison video. However, we do periodically get instruments on trade, which make that a possibility. With that said, in my experiences, the Schimmel Konzert uprights and Seiler uprights with the SMR (Super Magnetic Repetition) action are amongst the very best upright actions that parallel a grand piano feel in terms of response and repetition speed. Naturally, there is also the consideration of tone, which is a highly-subjective matter. Schimmel, Seiler, and Bosendorfer pianos all have a very distinct musical voice with their own character and identity. Thanks again and hope this helps a bit! :)

[@vickiehorowitz1934]

My shigeru kawai is fantastic and am always happy to see it included.

[@MerriamPianos]

They're incredible pianos in every regard! Congrats on your Shigeru Kawai grand! :)

[@romichjordan]

Thanks❤

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! :)

[@EdPin_]

Nice roller coaster, from E-X10 to Best Brands. So we've had the most expensive pianos episode, now the best brands episode, so it's time for the niche for small manufacturers and family businesses, lone artisans. Estonia?

[@MerriamPianos]

That is a great idea! A focus on some of the more exclusive and boutique manufacturers in the world would be quite compelling. :)

[@Steamrick]

Personally I'd want to add Weissbrod to that list. My family's 80-yo upright is of their make and compared to oh so many shrill-sounding 'modern' pianos the sound is pure bliss. Also, the action is incredibly light and easy - which was especially helpful when me and my siblings started learning at a young age. (edit: typo in the manufacturer name -_-)

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! I don't have any experience with that particular brand, but, as Stu concludes in this video, it comes down to the personal preferences of the player. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder when it comes to pianos and musical instruments! :)

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

Sauter???

[@WiseCookie74]

I love my petrof. Even when I play some Steinway they just aren’t as good.

[@MerriamPianos]

Petrof are wonderful instruments with their own unique voice! Every manufacturer offers a slightly different musical flavour. It is up to the player to determine what type of voice they connect with the most. :)

[@davidalarconquinones87]

Excellent as always however... No Steingraeber, Sauter, forster or Estonia?

[@MerriamPianos]

All of the brands you mentioned are certainly worthy of being included in this video. With that said, this video was certainly meant to be an overview of some of the most popular brands across key price categories.

[@YamDelgado]

Amazing review of the world's best piano brands! i enjoyed it from start to finish

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

Is the Bosendorfer 290Imperial still being made? The 1 with 97 keys? I thought it was discontinued🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

It is still actively on the company's website, so I believe that it is still being made. :)

[@victorcegarra]

I remember a piano brand Falcone or something similar I saw at a NAMM show a few years back. What ever happened to them as their pianos where to me best in show.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! I have seen and heard the name before, but I am not intimately familiar with the company nor their pianos. I will have to take a deeper dive into them. :)

[@johnmcshultz]

you forgot Grotian-Steinweg like Schimmel in Braunschweig (it changed later into Steinway in the US) and maybe Peiffer in Stuttgart

[@MerriamPianos]

These are of course all excellent suggestions worthy of making this list! With that said, this particular list is shining a spotlight on only a handful of well-known and respected brands.

[@yizhufeng7427]

What do you think of Brodmann, upright, for a beginner adult student. Thank you!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thank for the question! I personally don't have a lot of experience with Brodmann pianos, so I can't really comment. Perhaps, one of our helpful community members here can chime in with some insights. :)

[@ts3011ISRL]

There aren't many parlor grands with a richer, rounder tonal profile than the *Seiler SE-208* (6'10'').

[@MerriamPianos]

Seiler pianos are incredibly gorgeous and have one of the most beautiful, transparent sounds on the market. There is certainly no doubt about that! :)

[@trevoryang4355]

I’d add Sauter, Grotrian, Steingraeber und Sohne and August Forster

[@MerriamPianos]

These are all fantastic manufacturers of course! We may need to do a follow up video covering some more of these fantastic piano builders. :)

[@efelances5946]

what do you think about kurzweil mp 10? i really wanna know

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thanks for the suggestion! We try to tackle as many model reviews and comparisons as possible and will certainly add the Kurzweil MP10 to the list of potential candidates for future videos. :)

[@JeffinIC]

Hey, Stu...got a question for you: A friend of mine (a bit of a know-it-all) claims that shiny, polyester finishes on pianos makes them sound tinny, compared with those with wood-grained or matte black finishes. I think she's wrong...I've never noticed a correlation between finish and tone, but I'm curious if you think there is.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for the question. I certainly can't speak on behalf of Stu, but, for what it's worth, I don't think a high-gloss finish will have a massive bearing on the tonal profile of the instrument. There are a plethora of other factors that weigh far more heavily on tone production and frequency response than the finish when it comes to pianos. I think there is more weight to this notion with other instruments in which there are fewer tone producing components. One example would be an acoustic guitar. A harder high gloss finish is likely to produce a brighter tone than a matte finish pending all of the other design elements and materials are the same. In any case, it is an interesting debate! :)

[@LarcR]

As a longtime piano technician, I've generally found top brands of European pianos to be superior. Even European (Hamburg) Steinways typically best the US version. Yamaha and Kawaii are down a couple of rungs on the ladder. Chinese pianos (Pearl River, etc.) are down a couple more rungs. I'm surprised you would have even mentioned them in the company of brands such as Fazioli, Beckstein and Blüthner.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! I don't think Stu was suggesting that a Pearl River piano is in the same quality category as C. Bechstein or Fazioli. This video is an overview on the most popular brands that offer some of the best cost-to-value ratios at their respective price points. :)

[@alexeykulikov2739]

I am surprised this video has not clocked a gazillion views - it is so well made… And the “early innovation” and “well selected” comments on the Steinway made me crack) However, a proud Fazioli F156 owner (and a Sauter and a Bosendorfer top uprights) I am surprised Fazioli is in the 7th place… And the Pirl River… I mean, seriously? Alongside with Fazioli, C. Beckstein, Shigeru etc..? But then where are Hailun, Sauter, Petroff…? All the best!

[@MerriamPianos]

I think there might be a misunderstanding in terms of the intention of the video. The order at which the brands are presented are not representative of the place or relative rating against other brands. Furthermore, we are not suggesting that Pearl River instruments are in the same quality tier or category as the likes of C. Bechstein or Fazioli. We were simply shining a spotlight on some of the most popular piano brand choices at a variety of popular price points. Thanks for your feedback and thanks for tuning in!

[@PianaDelaMusica-zl5tg]

I think Estonia pianos deserve a place here too

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! I would agree with that notion. They are stunning pianos with immense expressivity and musicality. :)

[@illusionyx907]

9 world's piano companies must pay a huge bonus to Mr. Harrison to get a first winner place level in his expert review...

[@MerriamPianos]

Our reviews/comparisons are not sponsored or paid for. These videos are always completed on our own accord.

[@inesbranca6488]

Fazioli is a Great piano. Beautiful warm sound

[@MerriamPianos]

They are certainly wonderful pianos! :)

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

The best thing about Fazioli is the action. The best I have ever tried

[@judsonmusick3177]

Stu, I'm surprised by your statement that Bechstein is the "largest premium piano producer in Europe". I thought that Schimmel and Petrof sold more pianos than Bechstein. Have Bechstein sales increased dramatically in the last few years?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While Petrof manufacturers more instruments annually than Bechstein, I believe the statement Stu was making refers to "premium" concert-class/performance grade pianos. Thanks so much for tuning in and writing in! We appreciate it. :)

[@cristibaluta]

It's interesting there are so many brands, i mean you don't see a piano so often in day to day life, there are more brands than phone brands

[@MerriamPianos]

That is very true! There are many incredible brands (even some not mentioned in this video) that the general public have never heard of.

[@fuji302]

Bösendorfer Imperial is second to none. Local college has one and they hosted a piano clinic. Next to the Imperial sat a Steinway D and nobody was interested in playing it, they all wanted to play the Bösendorfer.

[@MerriamPianos]

The Bösendorfer Imperial is quite the instrument - that is for sure! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! :)

[@andersbechchristensen9627]

@@MerriamPianos Yes it is wonderful, but actually not so easily played like a Steinway or Fazioli. Some are even a little afraid of it since it may take control of your intentions. Try playing the same very soft accentuation several times, it will for many sound a little different every time. Grand pianos should be played and bought in a complete darkness. We are so easily distracted with brand, history, price, celebrities and fairytales. You cannot play, listen to and understand a piano on a computer. If you haven't got the skills, bring someone who can and you can close your eyes and judge. I've had some hardcore believers to reset their presets and prejudices and to be open to their impressions rather what their eyes see. I think they now have a wider selection of 'workhorses' in their stables. There is so much else than just the piano. The concerthall, the accoustics, the audience - what clothes they are wearing summer/winter etc. On top of that comes the additional mic'ing. How many, where. Do you use the natural accoustics of the room or do do it save in the mix. I once came across a very expensive and not very old concertgrand. It was very influenced by the changes in humidity and temperature and draft in the concerthall. At the time it was considered too expensive to heat and restore the hall outside concerts and events it had to be tuned allmost every time and the timbre somehow started to change.

[@Biozene]

What do you think of Baldwin?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! It is a matter of personal subjectivity of course, but, for me, some of the older American made Baldwin pianos are wonderful instruments with impressive tuning stability and performance reliability. :)

[@ambiva]

Bluthner, especially newer produced model, does not holding their value very well compared to other brand (some Model 6 depreciated to 40% of the original price in 6 years in the UK). The golden age has passed for them unfortunately (may 100-year old ones in the UK even sound better than many modern ones, and more stable)

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for sharing your insights and experiences as it pertains to the UK market. I suppose the geographic region and the popularity/relevance of a certain brand there will play a big part in potential resale value and depreciation.

[@thomassicard3733]

Schimmel K230 for a professional who wants the absolute best 7.5 foot grand piano. Just an FYI.

[@MerriamPianos]

The K230 is definitely deserving of being put onto shortlist of topic semi-concert grands! :)

[@vicmartinez4532]

Why does the Bosendorfer have the first two keys in Black ?

[@MerriamPianos]

The Bösendorfer Imperial grand has an extended range. The extra keys that stretch beyond the standard 88-note range of a piano are coloured black so that the piano player can distinguish them from the standard 88 notes.

[@SixStringViolence]

97 keys or 8 full octaves. Not just 2 but all 9 lower keys are black to set them apart from the standard 88 keys. www.boesendorfer.com/_Resources/Persistent/4543a7bdc53bc41f0fdd0e303caf82a2b4d420f6/concert-grand-290-Imperial-keys-1200x500.jpg

[@vicmartinez4532]

@@SixStringViolence aha that explaining it all 97 keys👍

[@SuperOwyeah]

I mis steingraeber & söhne. I think the upright piano's of steingraeber & söhne are even better than the C. Bechstein concert 8!

[@MerriamPianos]

Steingraeber are wonderful pianos as well of course! Naturally, when discussing these types of premium instruments, there is certainly no bad or wrong choice. It ultimately comes down to the personal tastes of the player. :)

[@michaelvalentine339]

Just for clarification. The Steinway D is actually 8’ 11 3/4” and the Steinway B is actually 6’ 11 3/4”

[@MerriamPianos]

Yes, that is certainly true. But, for convenience, many people compare piano models of certain size classes. In a general sense, the Model D falls into the 9' concert grand class and the Model B falls into the 7' semi-concert grand class.

[@randypiano11]

Stu is the man!

[@MerriamPianos]

I know he appreciates the kind words immensely! :)

[@Cloud-dq1mr]

I wonder if the names of the higher end Pearl River lines have any actual meaning behind them (like did they hire germans to make them or consult some german and name it after them?) or if they just give them some random made up german names to appeal to European/western buyers. I'm leaning toward the second option because I encountered that before, and I really don't like it.

[@MerriamPianos]

In the case of the Pearl River lines, such as Ritmuller, there is certainly a reason for the German sounding name. The Ritmuller pianos are modelled after famous German scale designs and they utilize many German components, which, naturally, provides them with a more German/European voice.

[@Cloud-dq1mr]

@@MerriamPianos Thanks for getting back with that insightful comment. Have a nice evening or morning depending on timezone.

[@chrish1215]

how about petrof

[@MerriamPianos]

Petrof make excellent pianos as well! Needless to say, we couldn't feature all of the amazing brands out there in this video, but we tried to cast a spotlight on some of the most prolific and popular manufacturers on the market.

[@pccchurch]

Stu, I want you to play the drum set behind you in your next video. Thanks.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I like the idea of featuring a full band jam with Stu in one of these videos! ;)

[@JefdeRoode]

Steingraeber & Söhne

[@MerriamPianos]

They are certainly worthy of being on this list too! This video simply shines a light on a handful of the most well-known and highest-selling brands in the world.

[@3762302]

Where would Sauter pianos fit in for you?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! While we have had a few used Sauter pianos come through our inventory over the years, it is a not a line that I have a ton of experience with as there are not many dealers in Canada.

[@aeroseb1]

Estonia ?

[@MerriamPianos]

Estonia are wonderful pianos with some of the best cost-to-value ratios on the market as far as the high-end concert class instruments go. With that said, it is difficult to cover every brand in these lists and videos of course. :)

[@antoniomaccagnan7200]

@@MerriamPianos I agree both about Estonia being wonderful píanos and that it's impossible to include every major brand in a short video.

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

I've heard of Yamaha way before I heard Steinway🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

They're both incredibly popular brands with some of the best name recognition in the industry of course!

[@jameslim2795]

Make a list for world’s best digital keyboard brands 😆😆

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for the suggestion! That is a great idea! :)

[@johnbostrom8467]

Where is Grotrian Steinweg….. A missed review.

[@ts3011ISRL]

Today there are only Grotrians. The Steinweg name is no longer used.

[@MerriamPianos]

Grotrian is certainly worthy of being on this list. With that said, this particular video is shining a spotlight on only a handful of the amazing piano brands and manufacturers out there. :)

[@alanfox4055]

You don’t include Baldwin?

[@MerriamPianos]

Baldwin are a legendary line of course. It is all a matter of subjectivity of course. Baldwin certainly could have been included in this list. It all comes down to what the parameters are for deciding what makes a particular piano brand the "best."

[@220volt-u7]

Love my PETROF

[@MerriamPianos]

That is awesome to hear! Petrof makes great instruments. :)

[@phill765]

Petrof? Sauter?

[@MerriamPianos]

They are both excellent piano brands as well! Needless to say, there are a lot of amazing companies out there making exciting instruments.

[@delanobersan7344]

All Of It just to sell us their Pearl River

[@MerriamPianos]

That is certainly not the case. While we do sell Pearl River products, they are not one of our primary lines. With that said, the sheer volume of instruments they produce every year as well as the global popularity of the brand (particularly in markets outside of North America) makes them an important player in the industry.

[@hammmodjabeer7278]

Bösendorfer. ...🇩🇪 Sauter. ...🇩🇪 Blüthner. ...🇩🇪 Bechstein. ...🇩🇪 Steingraeber & Söhne. ...🇩🇪 Fazioli.🇮🇪

[@MerriamPianos]

That is certainly an excellent list of top-tier pianos! :)

[@DDFVII]

But which of these are the best? This list is too long for a "best" list.

[@MerriamPianos]

As Stu concludes at the end of the video, the "best" piano will be something different for every person and player. Different sets of ears will gravitate towards different piano tones. :)

[@McGoogger]

Yamaha gang

[@MerriamPianos]

Yamaha is certainly one of the most famous piano brands in the world.

[@blaumeisterkatschen2188]

So much of what the narrator says is meaningless. Who, seriously, would be looking for a "blend of tradition and innovation" in their piano? Or would buy a particular piano because they "[value] a unique, lyrical tone and a rich musicial heritage"? Just imagine falling in love with a piano because of it's innovative! Or practising your scales and being moved by your piano's "blend of tradition and innovation"! I can, I suppose, imagine liking the "lyrical" tone of my piano (and thank goodness I didn't buy that piano with the un-lyrical tone). But I'm unlikely to like another piano because its tone is "unique" (say, if it sounded like fingernails on a blackboard).

[@MerriamPianos]

Every piano shopper and the elements that are important to them in the decision making process are distinct and different. I would hope that virtually all piano shoppers are concerned with the tone of the piano and finding an instrument that provides a sonic experience they connect with. While the technology/innovation behind a particular piano may not be significant to some customers, there are shoppers that get very invested in these details. One of the reasons for this is that many parents purchasing pianos for their children are not players themselves. Therefore, learning about the the technical design differences between various manufacturers and models can become an important consideration.

[@garyguthrie1507]

No Fazioli?

[@Marklar0]

Perhaps just watch the video instead of asking the comment section

[@MerriamPianos]

Fazioli is discussed in the video. :)