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Grand Pianos

It Doesn't Need To Be Complicated

There ARE several features that most all manufacturers agree make a better piano.

Below you’ll see an explanation of a few premium features. See our education & comparison page for more details and a more in-depth look.

Here are a few Premium Most All Manufacturers Agree Upon

If you climb high enough on most established manufacturers’ price trees, you’ll find they all offer a piano with ALL the premium features listed below.

Using any of these features will make a piano perform better. However, it’s how they all work together in a symphony that makes all the difference.

Note: There are many pianos that cost more that do not have premium features.

LOOK for these letters indicating each model’s premium features.

Tapering the soundboard allows it to move more freely and sustain longer.

This will make those long bass note last longer and make your music sound better.

Definition:

A bridge made of laminates of wood, glued together vertically.

This help the vibrations of the string reach the soundboard faster than a solid bridge. Thus, giving a better tone and more sustain.

A duplex scale takes the aliquot of string between the bridge and the hitch pin and creates a beautiful harmonic tone.

You’ll recognize it by spotting the silver bar with small rises between the bridge and hitch pin.

This helps the treble part of the piano sing more and balances out the more powerful bass section.

A maple or beech wood rim is chosen for its density as well as its tonal properties.

It not only gives a sturdy foundation but its denseness reflects sound waves back to the soundboard to increase sustain. It also helps the piano project and fill up a space with sound and music.

This is why maple and beech are superior to other hardwoods such as mahogany or oak.

Better hammers not only have the outside felt but a denser underfelt.

This helps you control your tone and gives you the power you may need for those thunderous fortissimos. 

They also should last longer and keep their voicing longer.

The sostenuto pedal will allow you to sustain a chosen set of notes while the others remain un-sustained.

Although you may not use this pedal in your repertoire, not having it is a sure sign of a manufacturer cutting corners.

And if they are cutting corners on something you can see, where else are they compromising?

Our Pianos

For over 160 years, STEINWAY & SONS has been dedicated to making world-class pianos. Founded in 1853 by German immigrant Henry Engelhard Steinway in a Manhattan loft, our pioneering handcrafted methods are still employed today to ensure our uncompromising standards of quality, in turn ensuring that the STEINWAY remains the peerless instrument of uncompromising expression. Discover the craftsmanship of our world-class pianos.

Steinway & Sons offers ALL premium features and more. Come visit our showroom for a demonstration.

The STEINWAY & SONS SPIRIO is the world’s finest high resolution player piano. A masterpiece of artistry and engineering in your home, SPIRIO enables you to enjoy performances played by great pianists — captured with such nuance, power, and passion that they are utterly indistinguishable from a live performance.

A musical recording can enable a listener to enjoy the performances of professional musicians with clarity, but nothing compares to hearing the performance played straight from the piano with stunningly accurate dynamics.

Model S

Baby Grand

At 5′ 1″ (155 cm), this piano is the smallest of the Steinway grands. This design was introduced in the 1930s to invite the majesty of the Steinway sound into almost any space.

Model M

Medium Grand

At 5′ 7″ (170 cm) in length, this piano’s rich tone, responsive action and manageable size makes it perfect for conservatories, and many homes as well. The Model M is predominately selected as a STEINWAY SPIRIO, the world’s finest high resolution player piano.

Model O

Living Room Grand

At 5′ 10¾” (180 cm), the Model O is the largest of Steinway’s “small grands.” This piano is large enough to satisfy those who demand a full, rich sound, yet sized to fit in almost any home.

Model A

Salon Grand

At 6′ 2″ (188 cm), the Model A is known for delivering a “grand” sound in a medium-scale instrument. This grand offers power and warmth, with a design that allows the solid spruce soundboard to freely and efficiently resonate, like its larger counterparts. 

Model B

Classic Grand

This magnificent 6′ 11″ (211 cm) grand piano is often referred to by pianists as “the perfect piano.” It is a wonderfully balanced and versatile instrument that does extremely well in refined homes, teaching studios, and mid-sized venues and is also available as a STEINWAY SPIRIO, the world’s finest high resolution player piano.

Model D

Concert Grand

At 8′ 11¾” (274 cm) in length, this majestic musical instrument — the pinnacle of concert grands — is the overwhelming choice of the world’s greatest pianists and for anyone who demands the highest level of musical expression.

No matter your level of skill or your musical goals, STEINWAY–DESIGNED pianos offers an instrument to match to your needs.
Second only to STEINWAY & SONS the BOSTON PERFORMANCE EDITION pianos have more PREMIUM features than any other piano remotely close to it’s price range. 

The Steinway-designed BOSTON grand pianos offer ALL premium features.

GP 156 Performance Edition II

The smallest Boston grand by size at 5′ 1½” (156 cm), there is nothing small about the sound of GP-156 Performance Edition II, which benefits from a wide-tail design.

GP 163 Performance Edition II

At 5′ 4″ (163 cm), the GP-163 Performance Edition II is small enough to fit in any home, but possesses the sound of a much larger grand — thanks to its widetail design.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN | WALNUT POLISH | WALNUT SATIN | MAHOGNAY POLISH | MAHOGANY SATIN | WHITE POLISH

GP 178 Performance Edition II

At 5′ 10″ (178 cm), the GP-178 Performance Edition II is the perfect grand for any teaching studio or music room.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN | WALNUT POLISH | WALNUT SATIN | MAHOGANY POLISH | MAHOGANY SATIN

GP 193 Performance Edition II

At 6′ 4″ (193 cm), the GP-193 Performance Edition II produces a powerful yet warm sound and is an excellent choice for teaching studios.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN

GP 215 Performance Edition II

Featuring a maple inner rim and Octagrip pinblock, the GP-215 Performance Edition II is 7′ 1″ (215 cm) in length, and the grand of choice for many institutions and festivals that boast mid-sized performance venues.

EBONY POLISH

  • Octagrip® Pinblock
  • Mapes Bass Strings
  • All Wooden Action Parts
  • Casters with Double Brass Wheels
  • Polished Brass Hardware
  • Slow-Fall Fallboard
  • Locking Top and Fallboard
  • Lower Tension String Scale for Increased Tonal Clarity, Depth, & Sustain
  • Pommele Sapele Veneer on Inside Rim (on Ebony grands) 

The ESSEX incorporates STEINWAY & SONS’ latest design specifications and engineering standards, as well as the STEINWAY commitment to excellence developed over 160 years of quality craftsmanship. Every ESSEX instrument is inspected by a team of highly experienced STEINWAY & SONS technicians before it leaves the factory.

The Steinway-designed ESSEX grand pianos offer ALL premium features.

EGP-155C

5’1″ BABY GRAND PIANO

Our smallest grand piano, the EGP-155C is not small when it comes to volume, thanks to Steinway–designed features to maximize the potential of this instrument.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN | WHITE POLISH | FRENCH CHERRY SATIN

EGP-173C

5’8″ GRAND PIANO

The EGP-173C or “Classic Grand” is the style by which all others are judged. This Classic Sheraton design has withstood the test of time for over 100 years since it was first introduced by Steinway & Sons in 1900.

EBONY POLISH

  • All Wooden Action Parts
  • Adjustable Artist Bench
  • Spade Legs and Beveled Edges
  • Polished Brass Hardware
  • Slow-Fall Fallboard
  • Lower Tension String Scale for Increased Tonal Clarity, Depth, & Sustain

Over the past 90 years, KAWAI has earned a reputation for outstanding quality and workmanship in the crafting of world-class musical instruments – and has received over 50 major international awards for product and service excellence.

SHIGERU KAWAI pianos are KAWAI’S premier line of pianos.

A SHIGERU piano is much more than the intelligent application of material, labor and design. It is an art form born not from the head, but from the heart. Thus, the craftsman does far more than simply “build” it—he brings it to life.

The sensitive nurturing of every part, every joint, every subtle nuance vests each piano with an intangible quality—a soul—that lives on from generation to generation. And those who own a SHIGERU piano know that they possess not merely an instrument, but a partner in the musical pursuit of dreams.

Although, we are not an authorized dealer, we felt it necessary to include SHIGERU pianos to highlight all the craftsmanship KAWAI has to offer.

KAWAI GX SERIES

GX-2 BLK

 The GX-1 BLAK (5’5″) Series Classic Grand offers the professional pianist a superb range of tonal expressiveness and a level of elegance and craftsmanship that is unsurpassed for a piano of its size. Slightly smaller than than the traditional “classic” grand, but larger than a baby grand, it adapts well to any smaller home or studio space without sacrificing performance.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN | DARK WALNUT POLISH

Includes most premium features.

KAWAI GX SERIES

GX-2 BLK

Winner of the 2017 Product Excellence Award from Music Inc. Magazine, the GX-2 BLAK Classic Salon Grand combines the stately presence of a classic grand with an exquisite clarity of tone. With a rich history of international acclaim, the GX-2 (5’11”) is the popular choice for homes, schools, churches and teaching studios.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN | WHITE POLISH | OAK SATIN | CHERRY SATIN | DARK WALNUT SATIN | DARK OAK SATIN | SAPELE MAHOGANY POLISH | DARK WALNUT POLISH

Includes most premium features.

KAWAI GX SERIES

GX-3 BLK

 The GX-3 BLAK Series Conservatory Grand Piano impresses with a dignified elegance and distinctive tone evoking the qualities of a much larger grand. It is a favorite among music schools for the way it performs admirably over time in teaching studios and smaller recital spaces. With outstanding tone and touch in a versatile size, the GX-3 (6’2″) is a preferred choice of professionals.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN

Includes most premium features.

KAWAI GX SERIES

GX-5 BLK

 The GX-5 BLAK Series Chamber Grand is the artist’s “grand for all seasons.” With resplendent tone and superb power in a flexible 6’7″ size, it adapts to an exceptional range of musical requirements and performance venues.

Starting at $71,495

Includes most premium features.

KAWAI GX SERIES

GX-6 BLK

 The GX-6 BLAK (7′) combines exquisite tone with stunning beauty to offer an instrument befitting the finest concert hall or professional studio. It was designed with performance in mind and is equipped with intelligent design elements that will help the artist communicate at the highest-level with excellence and ease.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN

Includes most premium features.

KAWAI GX SERIES

GX-7 BLK

At the lofty pinnacle of the GX BLAK Series, the regal GX-7 Semi-Concert Grand (7’6″) speaks with the transcendent character and authority that has made it the definitive choice of professional pianists. Respected worldwide for its superb tone and responsiveness, it will delight artists and audiences alike in any performance setting.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN

Includes most premium features.

ABS-Carbon

ABS-Carbon, the new composite material in our revolutionary Millennium III Action, combines the long-term stability of ABS Styran (a composite used in Kawai actions for over 40 years) with the extraordinary strength of carbon fiber. ABS-Carbon produces more dynamic power, greater durability, improved control and unparalleled speed to enhance the playing experience.

 
Why Carbon Fiber?

Carbon fiber has been called the lightest, strongest material on earth. In Kawai pianos, it allows a lighter design that helps to make our Millennium III Action tremendously fast and effortless to play while sustaining exceptional tone. The rigid character of ABS-Carbon also offers pianists more power with less effort. Its resistance to shrinking and swelling helps to provide these benefits consistently over many years – something conventional wood components are unable to deliver.

KAWAI GL SERIES

GL-10

 The Kawai GL-10 is KAWAI’S smallest grand piano. At 5’0″ baby grand it offers a beautiful tone in a compact size. The GL-10 has everything a pianist needs to succeed – superb tone, exceptional touch and a range of exclusive design elements that will sustain its outstanding performance for years to come.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN | EBONY POLISH W/NICKEL HARDWARE | WHITE POLISH | MAHOGANY POLISH | FRENCH MAHOGANY POLISH

Includes some premium features.

KAWAI GL SERIES

GL-20

 The GL-20 possesses every design element of ground-breaking GL-10 Professional Baby Grand Piano in a larger 5’2″ size that provides greater bass resonance and a more impressive visual profile. The tone of the GL-20 is further enhanced by the addition of Dual Duplex Scaling that produces greater complexity of tone. With its exceptional combination of touch and tone, the GL-20 is a potent performer with a petite profile.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN | WHITE POLISH | MAHOGANY POLISH

Includes several premium features.

KAWAI GL SERIES

GL-30

The most distinctive feature of the 5’5″ GL-30 Classic Grand is its flexible size that is substantially larger than a baby grand piano, but not quite as large as the traditional classic grand. This intermediate size allows it to adapt easily to a wide range of home, studio or institutional spaces. Regardless of venue, the GL-30 is an instrument of outstanding quality that will always provide a level of tone and touch worthy of GL Series, MMR Magazine’s 2016 “Product of the Year.”

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN | WHITE POLISH | BROWN SAPELE MAHOGANY | DARK WALNUT SATIN

Includes several premium features.

KAWAI GL SERIES

GL-40

 The GL-40 (5’11”) Classic Salon Grand offers the dignified presence of a classic grand with a tonal character. A popular choice for homes, schools, churches and teaching studios, the GL-40 is a superb choice for the sensitive musician.

EBONY POLISH | EBONY SATIN | BROWN SAPELE MAHOGANY POLISH | DARK WALNUT SATIN

Includes several premium features.

KAWAI GL SERIES

GL-50

 The GL-50 Conservatory Grand is especially popular among music institutions and professional studios. Experienced teachers are continually impressed by its stable touch and attractive tone that remain consistent over many years of professional use. Its 6’2″ frame is larger than most comparable conservatory grands, allowing the GL-50 provide tone that evokes the qualities of a much larger grand. In a versatile size that is ideal for studios and smaller recital spaces, the GL-50 is a favorite among skilled pianists.

EBONY POLISH

Includes several premium features.

ABS-Carbon

ABS-Carbon, the new composite material in our revolutionary Millennium III Action, combines the long-term stability of ABS Styran (a composite used in Kawai actions for over 40 years) with the extraordinary strength of carbon fiber. ABS-Carbon produces more dynamic power, greater durability, improved control and unparalleled speed to enhance the playing experience.

 
Why Carbon Fiber?

Carbon fiber has been called the lightest, strongest material on earth. In Kawai pianos, it allows a lighter design that helps to make our Millennium III Action tremendously fast and effortless to play while sustaining exceptional tone. The rigid character of ABS-Carbon also offers pianists more power with less effort. Its resistance to shrinking and swelling helps to provide these benefits consistently over many years – something conventional wood components are unable to deliver.

WE SERVICE THE FOLLOWING AREAS

EASTERN WASHINGTON: Tri Cities, Yakima, Wenatchee, Walla Walla, Greater Spokane Area, Pullman.

NORTHERN IDAHO: From Moscow/Lewiston → North. (CDA/Sandpoint).

STATE OF MONTANA

If you are not in one of these areas, please contact your local dealer.

Soundboard

As Long As It's Spruce, Right?

Having the soundboard made out of solid spruce is the first step. But there’s a lot more to it. That’s a bit like saying a car has tires. There can be a drastic difference in quality.

THE SCIENCE

Think back to those early science classes in elementary or middle school where you learned about tree growth. When you cut a tree in half, you can count the rings telling you how old the tree is. You can also look how close the rings are together. This tells you how fast or slow the tree grew.

The closer the rings are together, the slower it grew. It also makes it stronger. These trees are more expensive so not every piano uses the best quality spruce.

TIGHT GRAIN

A good quality soundboard should have very tight grain. (or grain that is close together) Soundwaves travel through the grain. A tight grain allows more of the sound to be captured; thus producing a longer sustain and better tone.

TAPERED

A good quality soundboard will be tapered. This allows more vibrations and longer sustain. Thus producing a richer, fuller tone. 

An advanced version of tapering, The Diaphragmatic Tapered Soundboard, was originally patented by STEINWAY & SONS in 1936.

*Most every manufacturer makes a piano with this feature. It’s just a matter of what price you have to pay to obtain it. Everyone agrees this makes a better piano.

Vertically Laminated Bridge

A Crucial Part Of Any Piano Design.

When a hammer strikes the string of a piano, that tone begins to decay. The purpose of everything under the lid of a piano is to capture as much of that tone before it goes away.

The first contact for those string vibrations is the bridge.

There are essentially two types of bridges made in modern pianos these days; a bridge made of a solid piece of wood with a cap or a bridge that is pieces of wood vertically laminated together with a cap.

The difference is quite simple. The premium feature, vertically laminated bridge, is stronger and takes the tone from the string down to the soundboard several times faster that a solid bridge.

Many piano companies choose to leave this upgrade feature off their upright pianos and several models of their lower prices grand pianos.

The vertically laminated bridge was originally patented by STEINWAY & SONS in 1880.

*Most every manufacturer makes a piano with this feature. It’s just a matter of what price you have to pay to obtain it. Everyone agrees this makes a better piano.

Duplex Scale

That Beautiful Bell-Like Ringing...

A duplex scale design can enhance the treble section of the piano so that it projects and sings to balance out the bass section.

This is done by tuning the aliquot of string between the bridge pin and the hitch pin on the plate. You’ll notice a shinny silver bar with various mounds where the strings goes over. These are strategically placed to create a harmony with the tuning of that string.

This is a feature generally found on grand pianos and is an easy one to spot.

A good rule of thumb is if the manufacturer is cutting costs by not providing this feature that you can see, they are most likely cutting costs where you cannot.

The Duplex Scale was originally patented by STEINWAY & SONS in 1872.

*Most every manufacturer makes a piano with this feature. It’s just a matter of what price you have to pay to obtain it. Everyone agrees this makes a better piano.

Rim of the
Grand Piano

Inner Rim

The inner rim is where the soundboard is glued and is a critical part in the capture of tone.

When a note is played, the soundboard vibrates. These vibrations ripple through the soundboard and out to all the edges. A Maple Inner Rim helps force the vibrations back to the soundboard allowing longer sustain and resulting in a wider dynamic range.

Outer Rim

The outer rim provides reinforcement for the inner rim. The inner and outer-most layer is reserved for the finish of the piano.

Unique feature: STEINWAY & SONS grand pianos use layers of Maple on both the inner and outer rims and form them all at once.

*Most every manufacturer makes a piano with a denser maple inner rim. It’s just a matter of what price you have to pay to obtain it. Everyone agrees this makes a better piano.

Hammers with Underfelting

Everyone Wants Something That Will Last

One of the most common statements we get in this industry is customers want something that will last and hold value.

One of the most common “upgrade” features manufacturers offer is Hammers With Underfelting.

This is exactly want it sounds like.  It is a regular piano hammer but with a dense underfelt. It is easy to spot as it’s usually a darker colored felt such as red or purple.

This extra felt gives you the ability to have more control over your playing and increases your ability to widen your dynamic range. It will also help the hammers to hold their shape and last longer.

As stated before, if the manufacturer is cutting costs by not providing this feature that you can see, they are most likely cutting costs where you cannot.

*Most every manufacturer makes a piano with this feature. It’s just a matter of what price you have to pay to obtain it. Everyone agrees this makes a better piano.

Sostenuto Pedal

You Never Know When You Might Use It

The Sostenuto pedal is that middle pedal on a grand piano. Many people ask us what it’s used for. 

The sostenuto pedal allows you to sustain a selected group of notes by pressing the desired keys down and then engaging the sostenuto pedal. This will free up your hands to play other notes un-sustained.

Many people purchase less expensive grand pianos because they feel they’d never have need for or use this feature. And if it was the only feature missing, maybe you wouldn’t miss much.

Unfortunately the piano that doesn’t have this feature will not have most premium features. And…you CAN spend about the same amount (if not less) and get this and other premium features.

*Most every manufacturer makes a piano with this feature. It’s just a matter of what price you have to pay to obtain it. Everyone agrees this makes a better piano.

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