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I was in a music store this evening browsing around various digitals (getting GAS again) and one of the salesmen, who knows me, suggested I take a turn on one of their Steinway acoustic pianos.

So, I did.

First time I have played a really good acoustic and it went pretty well. I was surprised I could actually play on one since I have learned on digitals only. This was a very,very,very good one. How do I know ? Price Tag: $143,000.00

Then I saw some "lesser" ones right next to it.

$100,000.00 Not too bad.

$80,000.00 Didn't like it.

$60,000.00 Worse (In my opinion)

Bottom line ... I won't be playing on my own acoustic anytime soon.

You pay a premium for the Steinway name. Also, because it's not a liquid market, your selection and the prices you face vary greatly by dealer.

I was in a Kawai shop a few years ago and the owner offered me a really sweet, very large brand new grand for $24K if I remember correctly. Then I went upstairs and tried the used pianos and found a hand-made European piano I liked even more (unfortunately I did not recognize or remember the brand). One of the nicest pianos I have played. Had a wonderful sweet tone that really spoke to me. He offered it to me for $16K. I was very tempted. No space in the house for it, though.

That kind of opportunity was what I really liked about living in Chicago. Don't miss the crime, though.

Well, that VERY NICE Steinway is the only acoustic I have ever played that I actually liked. Every other one I have played (all cheap ones) has always been VERY LOUD and difficult for me to play pleasantly.

Every piano is unique, although brands tend to have a certain "sound" overall. There are just so many fine ones out there, and fine ones for less than half the price of a Steinway. The money isn't always for quality, but sometimes just the name.

I hope you're not thinking of buying one. Try this. Go back to the store and try that grand at least twice more. By the third time you try it, the novelty will have worn off and it won't sound as overwhelming.

Welcome back, Gyro!

+100

My eyes must be failing me... is "Gyro" truly now back among us?

Extra note:

Still waiting to hear a concerto played on the Williams Overture digital!

I reckon peterws, pv88, and Gyro should come together to form a boy-band/super-group.

They could be called "Idiosyncrasy".



James
x

Nice idea - but a little gender presumptuous, perhaps. I have in mind that Gyro is actually a beautiful, languorous blonde, with come-hither eyes.... no wait, that's a completely different fantasy. Focus, vp!

Sounds good . . .a girl in a boy band . . .I don`t mind playin` bass . . .

I usually have the opposite problems with pianos. Either digital or acoustic. Back in the 7o`s me missus worked in a piano shop. so I got to try` em all out, Baldwins were stocked. The cheapest (spinet?) was great. Nice balanced tone. The priciest was too boomy and to my ears, not nice.

Best piano I ever played was a big Bluthner, superbly tuned, at Barrow in Furness Civic Centre. Backing a C&W singer . . .Fantastic!

Quite possibly the ugliest and most depressing corner of the entire globe. Except Hull.

Just needed to say that.

Who's Gyro and why the fuzz ??

About the acoustic: at $143,000.00 , it better be great :-)

A long-standing member with somewhat eccentric views some might say. We welcome him back!....

dmd, I have read your post, here:

I was in a music store this evening browsing around various digitals (getting GAS again) and one of the salesmen, who knows me, suggested I take a turn on one of their Steinway acoustic pianos.

So, I did.

First time I have played a really good acoustic and it went pretty well. I was surprised I could actually play on one since I have learned on digitals only. This was a very,very,very good one. How do I know ? Price Tag: $143,000.00

Then I saw some "lesser" ones right next to it.

$100,000.00 Not too bad.

$80,000.00 Didn't like it.

$60,000.00 Worse (In my opinion)

Bottom line ... I won't be playing on my own acoustic anytime soon.

________________________________________________

I love people because they are all different and interesting.

I remember when I was a young man that this guy and his wife used to want to drive around and look at expensive houses. We were in our early 20s. I didn't understand why so I didn't go.

At 27, I bought a cheap shack, property taxes were 25 cents a day. Today, the property taxes are 10 dollars a day. My rule is, I don't look at things I can't afford. My friends today have property taxes that are $20 a day which I can't afford.

Unlike you, I played an acoustic when I was 7 and I remembered how it felt and I am glad I switch to an acoustic. I would rather live in a shack and have a cheap acoustic than live in a mansion and have a digital.

There are loads of very playable cheap uprights (and grands)around needing good homes. The fun would be seeking one out when you have all the time in the world to do this . . ! And tune/service it yerself.
I`d have a little Baldwin if I had the space. Great pianos!

Not even close.

I am really not a fan of the acoustic sound, I guess.

Every acoustic I have played is always too BOOMY. At least, it is when I play it. Poor technique, I am sure.

I bet you wouldn't want to go back to your DP after practicing on a good upright acoustic, like one from the Yamaha U series, for a few weeks. You just don't know it yet

Pretty much this. You can get really superb instruments for $80,000. Poor voicing and regulation excluded, if you can't make an $80k piano sing, it's a technique thing. What most people who have only played DPs don't get is that DPs have a greatly reduced dynamic range and people set the volume where it is easiest for them - and in the process they don't learn how to play with a light touch - which is essential to control the power of an acoustic. DP only players also greatly over-pedal - which is intolerable on an acoustic. A skilled player will be able to play an $80,000 grand much softer and much louder, and with more tonal variation than a DP.