Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum "Stay away from Grotrian"??

I just got off the phone with a very personable and seemingly knowlegeable owner of a Bl&uumlthner store. One of the comments to me was "Stay away from Grotrian, it's a second rate piano."

I'm looking at a Grotrian 223 and a Steinway C. I am very impressed with the Grotrian. Is there any reason in fact for this comment, or is it just sales puffery?

Many thanks.

It's total nonsense.

The top German makers have always been Steinway,Bluethner, Grotrian and Bechstein.

200 years of international fame and mutual respect obviously came now to a sudden halt somewhere in America.............

Norbert

Perhaps she doesn't sell them.

Personally, I love Grotrians.

Thank you Norbert. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Kenny, I'm with you. I love them too.

Thank you Norbert. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Kenny, I'm with you. I love them too.

The Grotrian I played in Norbert's store was absolutely beautiful. I would buy it over a Steinway any day (at least the ones that I've played). It definitely is a Tier 1 piano and is right up there with the other Tier 1 pianos. If you haven't played one yet, I would find one and give it a try.
Tammy
I bought an Estonia 168, but if I had more money, I would have got the Grotrian no problem. I love my Estonia, but that Grotrian was pretty nice!

TammyF,
I agree. In fact I prefer the Grotrian 223 to many other pianos I've played.

I played Fazioli, Steinway, Grotrian and Yamaha today in Jecklins of Zurich. Your dealer is talking nonsense about Grotrians. Distinctive tone, excellent pianos undeniably.

Dealers who do this bring disrepect onto themselves. Reputable dealers do not spout such nonsense.

A

PS : the 9ft Fazioli yet again impressed me with its roaring bass...

I love Grotrians.

If I bought a secnd piano, it would be either a Steinway or a Grotrian.

AJB,
I concur. I would have been far more impressed if the dealer would have made a statement such as: "Of course, Grotrians are one of the finest pianos in the world. So are my Bl&uumlthners. Let me show you why our clients prefer Bl&uumlthner."

PS: Did you play Hamburg or NY Steinway? How did it compare to the Grotrian and Fazioli?

Just have anybody here travel through the various factories and showrooms in Germany and Europe, and all you see is quiet, understated *class*.

Real - and highly diversified - *class*.

Been to the big showrooms in London, Berlin, Paris, Rome or Moscow?

Norbert

RStier,

I'm sorry you had a regrettable experience with this Blüthner store owner. I personally find Grotians to be lovely pianos with a beautiful tone.

Norbert, I appreciate that perspective.

I've had two dealers speak against Grotrian today (the other sells Bechstein). Quite frankly, I would welcome some additional *class* and professionalism. Negative comments about a highly respected competing brand say far more about the dealer than the competition they are deriding. How about a little european elegance to compliment the instruments they represent!

Adrian said it best:
"Dealers who do this bring disrepect onto themselves. Reputable dealers do not spout such nonsense."


"Stay away from that dealer" is the watchword from my point of view, rather than stay away from Grotrian. Grotrians are fine pianos. Never trust a guy who doesn't respect the competition.

Tim

Alex,
Very nice website!

I think you want to stay away from dealers who speak this way about ANY piano not in their they do not offer. And maybe even if they do offer it.

Here's another take on this:

The store owner IMHO owes you a wonderful deal now on one of his own Bluethner pianos - everybody knows they are fantastic instruments!

Tell him, Norbert HIGHLY recommends them,but is threatening to send a Grotrian your way...[of course I'm *not*.. ]

Now let's have another look at what that dealer happens to have on his own floor right now....

Norbert

I own a Grotrian 192. It's a wonderful beast. One of the only pianos that could have tempted me away was a silky Bluthner I played in NY.

When any dealer badmouths the competition the red flags start to fly up. I can think of no clearer signal of dealer insecurity than this.

Who are these owners of Blüsthner and Bechstein stores?
There can't be that many of them in Southern California, right?

I had the pleasure to talk to Bengt Forsberg, one of Swedens leading pianists and the accompanist of Ann-Sophie von Otter. He has had the opportunity to play many of the old tier 1 pianos that still are used for recitals at institutions, churches and small recital halls, and he spoke in glowing and lyrical terms about Grotrian-Steinwegs. They were his favorite pianos.

Norbert is right. The top four German brands, in order of recognition in Europe, is Steinway, Bechstein, Blüthner and Grotrian. But really, I think people more often speak about the top 3 brands.

I have never understood why Steingraeber is a realitvely obscure brand in Europe. They are one of my personal favorites and IMO at the same level as the above mentioned brands.

I have only played one old Grotrian-steinweg which was very nice. That particular one had a personal, dark, brooding and woody tone with a great sustain. I could imagine that Brahms would sound great on them.