Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Going to NYC - What's my Itinerary?

I'll have Tues and Wed afternoons and evenings available in NYC. Staying near Rockefeller Center.

Please suggest some piano stores that I could visit in a limited amount of time. I'm excited to try brands beyond what Richmond, VA has to offer.

So far I see Faust Harrison as one destination.

If I'm lucky, I might try and catch John Mayall one of the nights. Any good piano bar suggestions?

There are four stores on Piano Row(West 58th Street):Faust Harrison, Klavierhaus, Bechstein, and Beethoven. On West 57th there is Steinway Hall and, I think, Frank & Camilles on East 57th.

You can see new Bechstein, Mason Hamlin, Steinway, Estonia, Brodmann, Seiler, Fazioli, Sauter, Grotrian, Yamaha plus rebuilt NY and Hamburg Steinways and others I've probably forgotten.

Klavierhaus (211 West 58th Street) should definitely be on your itinerary. Bechstein is also a destination and so is Beethoven Pianos. Nice thing is that they are all in the same neighborhood as Faust Harrison. Steinway Hall is always fun to visit.

For live music head to the Village. Small's is a very nice jazz bar. Village Vanguard and Blue Note are legendary jazz clubs with great pianos.

Edit: oops...I was posting at the same time as pianolover.

Are you shopping, or do you just want to play in the best piano playground in the world?

No doubt the area around W. 56 - 58th is a must see.

For some other possible places to catch live piano music
http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1332216

Heck, even the McDonald's in Times Square has a baby grand upstairs :-)

Faust Harrison
Then go to Molivos for a fabulous Greek meal.

Some window shopping, but I have been thinking of upgrading from the Vogel (not to any real fault of the Vogel... It was in the budget range at the time).

If you feel like straying outside the confines of Manhattan, you could catch a train to Stamford, CT and visit Allegro Pianos or to Westchester County and visit Piano Clearing House. Allegro has the largest collection of high end German pianos I've yet seen

Allegro will be a future destination, just not this time.

Steinway Hall is a must!

Don't forget us! AC Pianocraft! - We're 3 subway stops away from piano row and if you draw a straight line we're probably on 58th St! (except on the other side of the Bridge)

Startover player,

I'm sorry to hear that you won't be visiting us THIS time, but pleased to learn that you'll be taking the 44 minute train ride to CT NEXT time you are in NYC.

Have a good trip!

Thanks to all who made recommendations. I was able to shop the day before the snow storm and visit many stores around piano row. Everyone was very pleasant.

Observations

- I was not overwhelmed by the Estonia like I was expecting (first time playing the brand). However, I will make another visit to see if my first impression holds. Cabinets were beautiful though.
- The bass of a Bechstein is unbelievable. On many models I tried, I was very impressed with the bass every time.
- There was only one Grotrian to try out, but I could tell this was a quality piano.
- Mason and Hamlin were fine instruments as well. Not necessarily my preference, but very nice.
- A Schimmel upright had wonderful tone. Most impressive upright I have played.
- While I've been thinking a Schimmel might be my next piano, I was extremely impressed by the Seiler grand. (I'm beginning to think I'm somehow partial to the German-made grands, if that is possible.)
- Steinway is everywhere in NY. In the store/hall, I was told I could visit one room (where there were a handful of pianos). It wasn't the experience I expected.
- I did not spend time on the Chinese brands, so I can't comment on the ones I saw (Hailun, Brodmann, etc...)

As always, your experience and taste may vary.

Although the snowstorm canceled my trip to Smalls (next time), my highlight (next to playing the Seiler) was a John Mayall concert.