World's Best Upright Piano? "Steingraeber NAMM 2020"

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This was one of the many great pianos I found back at the 2020 NAMM show, and it was one of my favorite uprights I have ever played. The only upright at the show that was in its same tier was the C. Bechstein Concert 8, which was also incredible. The Steingraeber has an incredibly powerful sound, a lovely action, and a good design that allows a lot of the sound to come out and makes it sound absolutely amazing. I hope you enjoy!

[@hareshbasdeo3218]

Sounds like a grand piano. Sounds better than some grand pianos.

[@RavenARPG]

Oh my, it sounds out of this world. I am honestly mind blown to think that this is a vertical.

[@geoffkirkpatrick9727]

Your "Speechless" arrangement does a great job highlighting this piano's range. It really does sound like a grand, not an upright. What an amazing instrument.

[@timothymcneil577]

This thing is FANTASTIC. I'm in the middle of rebuilding my 1930's Canadian made Leach piano... needless to say it's like driving a Pinto but not realizing it until you see someone driving a Porsche. Thanks for the video, David Spade! 😋

[@synthplayer1563]

Once I was looking for a piano here in Germany I tested many in the shops. Then there were one big upright I tested and I thought, wow, that's the best sounding upright ever. What was it? You can imagine it. A Steingräber. Here in Germany they are not so rare in the good shops. At that time it was too expensive for me. Meanwhile I have a Yamaha Grand. ;)

[@john3775]

You're absolutely right, it does sound just like a grand- a lovely instrument.

[@ThePianoforever]

It really is fantastic.

[@mahdihonarmandrad8301]

Incredible! this one has a warmer and more speaking tone than the bechstein concert 8

[@williampearson4968]

Steingraeber pays attention to details -- result is an Upright that sounds like a Grand Piano! Wonderful sound. Thank you!

[@pauljackson7877]

I can't believe how beautiful it sounds.

[@dennisdeemii]

Thank you for teaching me how to listen to pianos. I am learning so much.

[@iseeolly9959]

In all my years, never heard of them...wow, what a tool ! Many thanks from the UK mate.

[@ThePianoforever]

Yes, Steingraeber is not very well known, unfortunately. They can make some impressive pianos.

[@comms9803]

This rivals those early 20th century uprights. Another great video!

[@oriolesandravens]

James, one of your videos popped up in my Recommended section and I am so glad I found your channel. Not only are you an immensely talented pianist, but I'm really enjoying your critiques and tutorials. I'm curious, how old are you? How long have you studied the piano?

[@ThePianoforever]

I'm 19, and have been studying the piano since I was almost 6. Welcome to the channel, I'm glad you're enjoying it! :D

[@Aditya-jv9mp]

@@ThePianoforever damn i didn't know you were this young!

[@xray111xxx]

It is amazing how many videos you have on 2020 NAMM. It has been a long time since NAMM.

[@ThePianoforever]

Yes, I did a lot of videos there! And I still have more lol.

[@matheusfpilar]

lol he slept on NAMM that day

[@Modeltnick]

What a nice piano! Sounds like a grand! I’ve always was told that an upright has more sounding board area than a baby grand. Another great tour (and performance)! Thanks and hope you’re doing well!

[@moldenburg909]

Indeed a beautiful sound. Almost not upright like. Maybe even not upright like at all. 😀 Love the last song. Very good. Nice that you got so many videos at the NAMM so much to see there. And play of course. And again: thank you for sharing and playing.

[@oliver8666]

very very nice playing and the Piano is also outstanding. Thank you for your effort and work you always put in.

[@thelastmedici4764]

😱😱😱It sounds like a grand piano👌👌👌

[@alleskloa3152]

Love your channel, James! Thank you for all you do. For future reference, the city of Bayreuth is pronounced By-royt. The eu sound in German is an oy sound in English. I hope you can visit the Steingraeber factory during your visit to Europe!

[@sueryan855]

Wow, that sounds amazing for an upright!

[@jordandarby]

I love your interpretation of Aladdin's Speechless! It has a very expressive tone on this model upright.

[@magicwood2360]

That piano has some nice depth in the sound

[@guitargirl7452]

James you play it so beautifully. I dread to think what it costs. 🤤

[@sundresslady]

Super, great Performance, dear James!

[@KMNKeyboardVault]

Oh WOW 😳 I can see me in the background of your video sorry for the photo bomb but it was so nice meeting you at Namm

[@mupbelchen010701]

Wow, what a sound!

[@The_Smith]

Wow, had to replay that through my house stereo! Would have loved to hear what 'Maple Leaf Rag' would sound like on that . . .

[@derekbaqueiro5021]

The August Förster and the Blüthner, they are very good pianos, very similar sound from the Steingräber

[@hastensavoir7782]

Can’t forget the August Förster James tried. Dream of a Piano

[@nichtimmer9134]

I love upright pianos, thay have his own character and colours ;) ...meen also the other one, like the classically ones :D ...every instruments should be loved!!!!!

[@myself915]

That piano sounds amazing! And your playing is fantastic!!

[@addison_1661]

My first grand piano came the other day :D Estonia 168 5-6 in height absolutely love the action heavy and responsive keys with a warm warm sound (hate bright pianos)

[@ThePianoforever]

Awesome! Estonias are pretty nice, especially recently, they've really improved within the last couple of years.

[@sclogse1]

Then you probably like Bill Evans recordings.

[@ethanbeatsachmoody8177]

this sounds better than a lot of grand pianos. excellent pianos they make

[@izzy1563]

Don’t know this make but it has a really nice sound. A very mellow but clear tone in the bass and treble. I have a Mason & Hamlin that I have had for years. I think this actually sounds better than most Steinway uprights. Very nice. That treble starts strong right at middle C.

[@willthetrill4849]

This sure beats the sound of huge majority of uprights. I’m curious to hear this company’s grand pianos

[@amaymankad121]

James btw you are closed to reaching 40,000 subscribers which is incredible

[@Recommendable]

There is no price tags on their website :) To you knowledge, what's the price range we should be considering here?

[@Nitrav.]

Awesome sounding piano. I heard the name name of this company from your channel. But Maximum acoustic piano companies like this are not available in India. I realy appreciate your reviews. Please carry on.

[@ralphrestubog5519]

I just read from their website that they use magnets to accomplish their exquisite action :O

[@chinthalapatyzimran8800]

Hi James! video was great ,can you please provide song sheet for the music which you play for testing pianos ,I mean the one which you wrote by yourself. I love that music !

[@rikspector]

James, I remember something you said about grand pianos to the effect that the person performing doesn't hear the sound like the people listening since it projects sideways away from the pianist. Watching this video it dawned on me that with or without the openings, the player can hear the sound much more like everyone else. Is this true or do I have it wrong,?. Cheers, Rik Spector

[@ThePianoforever]

I believe that would be true.

[@Yellowstone300]

2:23 What's the name of the treble test piece? Or did James write it himself?

[@amaymankad121]

He just calls it his treble test piece and he wrote it himself.

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Wonderful sound. Enjoy your test piecs Let it develope..their may be a market ..

[@CHEVILLY100]

Le meilleur droit du monde. Merveilleux.

[@hosinooji]

if comparing this to a C. bechstein concert 8 , what would be your opinion? Thank you.

[@ericpizarro3084]

It does sound like a grand piano. Superb sound. Is it on my budget? Checked! No is not ($49,600.00).

[@javiervallsgaleote3425]

Good review. I love this brand

[@TKDGal76]

Hi James, that piano sounds amazing. I was wondering if you had any thoughts on Kawai and Yamaha's upright pianos? I am a beginner player with about 4 months of experience but I love the sound of acoustic pianos, I'm ruined for life now :) anyway could you talk about the Yamaha B1 and the like, kawai K200 or k300 with the digital pianos build in for silent practicing? it seems these are marketed to new players but I would love to know your thoughts on these hybrid acoustic pianos

[@mesho512]

Hello James Why not reviewing some sauter uprights , lot of people out there keep saying they are the best and sounds huge compared to their size , even an old 108 model sounds really good and powerful Please review some

[@raphaelcarneirogoncalves]

Thanks for the video!

[@Royalorgans]

Hey, whats your name? you neve mention it on your videos. Anyway, How would you compare the Steingraberger 138 to the Schimmel 132 piano? Also, do you know where I could find a Steingraberger 138 in the United States?

[@suaive2737]

Does anyone have any suggestions for an upright piano that is "fully weighted" or however you say it so the keys are a bit heavier then a semi weighted piano for around 4,000 pounds.

[@alexthompson6529]

Maybe a Kawai K300? I think they float around at that price if you haggle a little bit. You get a good action for its price range, and the bass response would blow most things out of the water in the same budget/height category also.

[@suaive2737]

@@alexthompson6529 I didn't see your comment, but I actually chose that piano. I love it and thanks for taking the time to respond to my comment.

[@RModillo]

Glad to see this! I tried all 3 sizes of them in London-- hugely assertive and expressive. And what was your post-mortem of this vs the Bechstein? Any other players in that league that you can think of?

[@ThePianoforever]

The Bechstein is one of the few uprights I'd confidently say are on the same playing field as this big guy. The only small weakness the Bechstein would have is that it has a traditional closed cabinet while the Steingraeber has the very open-designed cabinet, which lets out more sound. The only other upright pianos I can think of that would be equivalent would be the Bosendorfer upright, and possibly the uprights from Grotrian and August Forster.

[@RModillo]

Oh, and what action did that one have? Some of their models have magnetic inserts.

[@dennisdeemii]

@@ThePianoforever Are bluthner uprights in same league or is it more a personal preference. they sound a little muted, but I kinda dig that too.

[@stephen129]

Where in London did you try them?

[@RModillo]

Stephen P The dealer up near Regent’s Park. Also sells Grotrian and Bösendorfer.

[@musicbinderpro8903]

Many thanks!

[@wawacool9147]

im looking for one pf this, your préférence is going for Bosendorfer 120 or Steingraeber 122? :) i love your channel

[@hastensavoir7782]

Bechstein Concert 8, Steinway K-132, Steingraeber 138, August Förster 125, Grotrian Concertino

[@normanhasler340]

Steingraeber 138 K, Steingraeber 130 T, Ant. Petrof 136, Bechstein Concert 8, August Förster 134 K, August Förster 125, Pfeiffer Modell 124 Tradition, Bösendorfer 130. Steinway is meanwhile overpriced by the uprights- by that what the others can do and sound like. But a Blüthner Modell B or Modell S, its an impressive unique sound, supposed to be listed extra, but really really nearby to a Bechstein Concert 8 by a little bit less price.

[@sclogse1]

Know any Tom Waits melodies? Like his tunes from One From The Heart?

[@Robert_A_Keyboards4948]

Very light bright sound excellent........A different sound.

[@kathrynwest1922]

Wow!! Incredible.

[@devttt4685]

Brilliant last test piece. Would you please share the score of your arrangements?

[@TheTykus]

That's amazing.

[@davidbollinger4957]

I enjoy your videos. I find them informative and have probably watched several dozen of them. I watch this video on the Steingraeber twice. You had mentioned the locations of the panel openings. It seems to me that the lack of an opening in the upper panel base location is to tone down the base volume. So that it wouldn't over power the mid and treble notes. However, allowing base to come out of the bottom panel, keeping it away from ear level. To put it simply, Steingraeber wanted to control the powerful base and balance the overall piano volume and tone. That is my theory. You also liked the action. I went to their web site and discovered that the use a Renner action on their uprights. Have you played any of the new Steinway uprights with their new actions? I have read somewhere that they are Renner actions as well.

[@sophiesmith3213]

Sounds absolutely gorgeous but I prefer my 100+ year old upright piano

Yes, I played it once in Nebout Paris. The greatest upright to me too, impressive large sound as a baby grand and without boxy sound. I love the sweet tone of the Bechstein C8 (and of Bechsteins generally) but it's not as airy as the Steingraeber to me. I remember the Steinway V125 as sounding as a baby grand too (large and airy sound). I never played the K132. Is it common for you to see Steingraeber pianos in the USA ?

[@ThePianoforever]

Very rare here in the states.

[@capt.azzamganadily4892]

James, please please please answer me this, which to buy brand new this Steingraeber 130 or the C. Bechstein Concert 8?

[@ThePianoforever]

Honestly they both sound and play phenomenally, you really can't go wrong with either. The Steingraeber has an open-designed case like I showed off in this video, so I think it might be a bit more powerful than the Bechstein, but you can always open up the Bechstein if you need the raw power to be unleashed.

[@capt.azzamganadily4892]

James, thank you for your reply, I’ve contacted both manufacturers and I’m planning to go visit them both in Germany. Probably in the summer of 2021. Steingraeber has offered me no obligation accommodation during my stay. Very generous of them. I’m definitely going to come back with one of these uprights to my name. Love your channel wish you all the best.

[@nickbamber268]

The 138 is even better.

[@georgehands_]

Hello, quick question. I recently started to play piano about 2 or so months ago on my cheap keyboard that I own, I really want to invest in a new keyboard as I started to get passionate about playing it. I'm looking into pianos that have most of the features of an actual acoustic piano but still is on the cheaper side of things, as I am tight on money. Any recommendations? I can only go max $250 dollars max right now because of all the things happening and my lack of a job currently.

[@ThePianoforever]

You really can't get a decent new keyboard for $250.00, but if you ;look around you can pick up a used keyboard for about that amount of money. I would look for a older name brand like Yamaha, I say Yamaha because they have made a lot of keyboards and at time you can get a really good deal on a 10 year old keyboard. Make sure you get a top of the line keyboard when it was new.

[@marciaanderson7708]

Beautiful! What was the name of the first song you played?

[@ThePianoforever]

Simply titled "treble test piece". I like to write pieces for reviewing and for recording here in the studio.

[@marciaanderson7708]

@@ThePianoforever It's a lovely melody!

[@georgethompson1535]

James I got 500 bucks and I need a digital piano what is the best one mainly for feel

[@ThePianoforever]

I would choose the Yamaha P-45. It's not only the feel, but also the ability to play well on a keyboard and for that price you only have the P45, but if you could pay a little more I would suggest the Yamaha P-125 or the Kawai ES110.

[@aellasgameplay1472]

In 4:35 what is the piece/song name?

[@ScruffyTubbles]

How much do they cost?

[@mahdihonarmandrad8301]

Lord vinheteiro's upright also sounds very nice, but he seriously hides the brand. Since you've played a vast majority of pianos, can you guess the brand?

[@ThePianoforever]

He does make it sound quite nice! While I don't claim to be an expert on Yamaha pianos, based on the models I have seen, it appears to be a Yamaha U1, likely dating from the early 2000's.

[@mahdihonarmandrad8301]

Yeah ! U1s of those days seems very similar, while newer ones have a different harp shape and color and they also have a different tone!

[@mariusz9223]

Whats the name of a piece you played in 3:49? Btw excellent review.

[@bradchervel5202]

Clair Du Lune

[@barlera]

Nice sound. Better than some yamaha grand baby.

[@cristiandone5749]

UPRIGHT = Zeitter & Winkelmann

[@Bobo]

How does it compare to a Yamaha U3?

[@ThePianoforever]

I think it would give any upright a challenge.

[@davidburton3016]

Steingraber is Darrel Fandrich's favorite piano maker. Best

[@MultiPetercool]

So I assume Steingraber is using his action?

[@thomaslau9631]

Good. Yeah.

[@sensoeirensen]

Whats the name of the first song pls?

[@briancrainfan]

It's a test piece that's what he calls it.

[@sensoeirensen]

@@briancrainfan So there's no way to find it as music sheet?

[@amaymankad121]

@@sensoeirensen No, there are no sheet music available that he has created because he is still working on it.

[@tomjohannessen8654]

The best upright In the World are C.Bechstein Consert 8.

[@ShanMichaelEscasio]

Doesn't sound like an upright. Wow.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Wow. I know of this piano but yes, it's not presented that often because it is a limited piano and not that easy to find. I guess the two pianos to compare this to are the Bosendorfer 130 and C. Bechstein Concert 8. It would be an interesting comparison.

[@RModillo]

Also at NAMM, he did a video on the Bechstein. Obviously not in the same room, or a good room. But it does capture many of the differences.

[@saltsucker]

2:32 title of music ❓❓❓

[@PianoDawg1620]

It's called the Treble Test piece. James himself wrote it to test out the treble and tenor of pianos.

[@saltsucker]

@@PianoDawg1620 thanq u😎

[@m.s.b.1390]

Steingräber 138 is the best uprigth Piano.

[@amaymankad121]

What Model is this piano?

[@RModillo]

@@amaymankad121 Sorry, but no. They say it is the acoustic equivalent of a 180cm grand piano. Size of soundboard, length of bass strings, etc. But to get 180cm, you can't have it be vertical.

[@amaymankad121]

@@RModillo whoops my mistake

[@m.s.b.1390]

It's a Steingräber 138, the best upright-piano.

[@hadireg]

👍👍

[@z-man7883]

Take my money

[@fewerbeansplease]

You should be wearing a top hat and tails...otherwise fantastic!

[@adammurphysongwriter1473]

Omg it sounds just like a piano! Wtf!?

[@karellodewijks4971]

.👌👍

[@paulalazaro1168]

Hey😂

[@paulalazaro1168]

First