Frequestly Asked Questions About Pianos
How do you choose a Piano Manufacturer and a Piano Dealer?
It is said that if you don't know your jewels, know your jeweler. The same is true for pianos-it's always best to rely on a reputable piano dealer. At Steinway & Sons, we select our dealers with the same care and attention to longevity that we put into our pianos. Authorized Steinway dealers are the leading piano retailers in their markets and are active supporters of music arts and education in their regions. Many Steinway piano dealers have been representing Steinway for generations.
Steinway & Sons provides a comprehensive dealer training program through its William Steinway University, educating sales representatives and management staff in every aspect of Steinway representation, including sales, customer service, concert and artist activities, institutional sales, and technical service.
And then there's the Steinway Promise - assurance that the full purchase price of the Steinway Designed piano you select can be applied as a credit toward a future purchase of a superior Steinway Designed piano.
How do I know a good used piano vs. a bad used piano?
When looking at used pianos, consider that the materials in even the best older pianos are subject to wear, humidity changes and inconsistent service or neglect. Better modern pianos are improvements over the older counterparts in materials and design. While the cost of a new piano is generally a fair prediction of quality, the price of a used piano is dependent upon an individual's assessment of condition. Don't be tricked by the appearce of the ouside of the piano because sometimes the outside appearance of a piano does not reflect the condition of the interior mechanisms.
When choosing a used piano, note the following definitions provided by the Piano Technicians Guild, Inc. to categorize the level of repairs on a piano: "A used piano that has been disassembled, inspected, repaired as necessary with replacement of all worn or deteriorated parts, reassembled, tested and approved to at least the tolerances of a new piano of like manufacture is said to have been rebuilt. A used piano that has been put back in good condition by cleaning, repairing and adjusting for maximum performance with replacement parts where specifically indicated is said to have been reconditioned." A rebuilt piano should be purchased because of its merits, rather than an attempt to economize.
If you are looking for a quality used piano make sure to visit our Used Piano Gallery. Here you will find used Steinway, Boston, and Essex upright and grand pianos.
What is a "Gray Market Piano"?
The worst piano you can buy is a ‘gray market’ piano. In 2005 one in five pianos shipped to the U.S. from Japan was a used piano. Mostly, they are 20 or 30 year old Yamaha U,G and C models, Kawai KG, and a few Young Chang, Atlas and Diapason models. They are almost all black many have only 2 pedals. Sellers will try to pass them off as ordinary used pianos. Almost all the used Yamaha and Kawai pianos you find on the internet are gray market. Sellers often have a great story about how these pianos are restored. The truth is these are worn out, used pianos, mostly from institutions in Japan.
A quick, "gray market piano" search on Google will reveal a plethora of information, but it is easy to be mislead. There is a great deal of focus on the debate over whether or not such pianos are seasoned for the U.S. climate. Yamaha says their pianos are built appropriately for any climate, and we believe them. However, this debate skirts the real issue. Climatically appropriate or not, these pianos are worn out beyond their useful lives. Otherwise, why would they be shipped thousands of miles away from their home in the first place?
Incidentally, the greatest critic of gray market pianos is Yamaha America Corp. which will tell you if a piano is gray market, they disavow all responsibility for it. There are a few conscious sellers who actually rebuild the better grands like C-3's and C-7's, but these pianos are much more expensive. Steinway Hall does not sell Gray Market Pianos.
Where should I put my new piano in my home?
Your piano is much more than just a piece of furniture. Where it is positioned in your home is vital to its longevity.
Your piano should NOT be placed on a non-insulated outside wall, nor near any heating/cooling source. Also, do not place it in direct sun light. Areas where extreme changes in temperature and humidity can occur should be avoided as well (i.e. basements, enclosed porches, sunrooms). A grand piano needs an area twice its size in order for it to be delivered and set up.
Who should move my piano?
The answer to this question is undoubtably: A professional piano moving company. A piano is a heavy and carefully-balanced instrument. Our trained piano movers have the specialized skills and equipment to move your instrument, whether the move is between floors in your home or to a new home. Moving the piano by yourself can cause extensive damage to the piano and quite possibly to yourself.
What maintenance comes with owning a piano?
Every piano is created from many sensitive working parts. The tension of the strings that resonate such a beautiful sound place the infrastructure under enormous pressure. Improper or irregular maintenance can cause problems that will become progressively worse, causing your piano to develop an unpleasant tone and an unresponsive touch even if it sounds in tune.
Like an automobile, your piano requires a routine service and maintenance program to maintain the sound. Three components of musical performance (pitch, tone, and touch) require periodic adjustment. A complete piano service includes tuning to return the piano to pitch, voicing to adjust the tone, and regulating to adjust the action and change the touch of the piano. Read More information to Maintaining your Piano
How do I clean my piano?
Pianos have a lot in common with other fine pieces of furniture and should be treated with care. When dusting a piano, always use a soft cloth or lambs wool duster, following the direction of the wood grain. When cleaning the keys, use a small amount of mild dishwashing detergent and water. Do not apply the soap directly onto the keys but rather on a washcloth. After completely wringing a damp cloth, clean (do not wash) the keys and dry thoroughly, avoiding contact with the exposed wood of the sides of each key. Consult your piano owner's manual for further guidance.
Do not use any spray cleaners or polish on your piano. Chemicals from those types of cleaners are absorbed into the wood and will make it difficult to repair in the future. Even a small amount of the mist can cause unrepairable damage to the inside of the piano. Always consult your piano technician if you wish have the inside of the piano cleaned. If needing to remove a small object that has fallen into the piano, exercise care so as to not bump the delicate parts inside the piano, as this can cause misalignment. A handy guide to cleaning your piano.
If you have a questions about pianos that was not answered please please feel free to ask.