Steinway Grand Piano Cost

This is because this is one of the most prestigious piano brands in the world. Established in 1853, Steinway & Sons has built a reputation for producing some of the most beautifully crafted instruments.

There is a downside to this quality though: the cost. Steinway pianos are some of the most expensive in the world. So, how much do they cost? Well, there is a lot more to this question than meets the eye. To get a true understanding of the price and whether or not you can afford one, here is what you need to know:

How Much Does a Steinway Piano Cost?

There is actually a great deal of variation when it comes to the cost of a Steinway piano. The price is dependent on several factors such as model (size), finish, and external elements. Thus, the Steinway Model S price will differ quite a bit from the Steinway B price.

It should also be noted that the Steinway company isn’t very forthcoming about its prices. Therefore, you will not find the cost listed on their website. Instead, you have to send them a request to discover how much a particular model will cost.

Fortunately for you, though, this burden has been lifted from your hands. Below, you can find a pricing guide for a variety of Steinway Grand Pianos. As such, you can find the answer to how much does a Steinway Model D cost…

Steinway Grand Piano Cost

You should be aware that prices can change at any point. Thus, if you are truly interested in purchasing a Steinway piano, you should clarify the final price with the seller or with the Steinway company. To get a brief idea of what you may pay for such a brand, though, here are the prices.

Now, Steinway has two factories – one in New York and one in Hamburg. The models and the cost can vary. These are noted below.

New York Models

The Steinway models that are produced in Queens, New York are available in six models and four finishes. The finishes include: polyester-polished ebony, polyester-polished ebony with sterling hardware, lacquer-polished ebony and satin ebony.

Hamburg Models

The Hamburg factory produces seven models, each with an ebony finish. For the most part, the sizes are comparable with those of the New York models.

Why are Steinway Pianos So Expensive?

It is only natural to wonder why Steinway pianos are so expensive. Although they aren’t the most expensive brand, they do cost a pretty penny. So, why is this?

Part of this has to do with the materials that Steinway uses. From wood to finish, each element is carefully chosen for these pianos. Not only does this result in a more elevated and beautiful instrument, it also gives rise to a durable piano. When maintained properly, these instruments can last for a very long time.

Then, there is the craftsmanship. Steinway hires some of the best people in the business. Not to mention, it is paying salaries for laborers in two rather expensive cities. This, too, adds to the overall cost of the pianos.

Then, there is the prestige. Steinway has earned a reputation for being a must-have piano by professionals and concert halls alike. Due to this, there is no end to the demand for these pianos. And, Steinway is able to price its pianos accordingly.

Steinway New York vs. Hamburg

As you will have noticed from the pricing list, Steinway Hamburg pianos cost a good deal more than those manufactured in New York. What is behind this price difference?

Despite being similar in size, these models vary quite a bit. Some of these dissimilarities include:

• Different wood used in the rim
• Different types of spruce for the soundboards
• Varying finish
• Separate hammers
• Different bass strings

Of course, what most pianists are interested in is the fact that there are tonal differences between the two types of pianos. Hamburg pianos are described as producing a cleaner or crisper sound. New York pianos, on the other hand, are said to produce a rich or complex sound.

Does this mean that one kind of piano is better than the other? Not necessarily. It is more down to the preference of a pianist. Thus, the better piano would be the one that produces the sound that you like the most.

Should You Buy a Used Steinway?

For most people, buying a new Steinway is out of the question. This is why there is such a large market for used or pre-owned Steinway pianos. Adding to this is that these pianos are incredibly durable and are often created to be re-built. Therefore, the older models tend to be as in good shape as the newer ones.

There are also some pianists that prefer playing on pianos that have been used for a certain period of time. This is because in some cases, pianos can take a while to “open up” – sometimes up to two or three years. Due to this, buying a pre-owned piano means that you get to enjoy its full potential right away.

What You Must Know About Buying Pre-owned Steinways

While buying a pre-owned Steinway is certainly an avenue that you can pursue, it is one that you should be careful about following. When buying used models, it isn’t always clear what kind of quality you are getting. As such, there are several precautions that you need to take:

Finding the Right Dealers

First things first, you need to find the right dealers.

Now, Steinway themselves will sell pre-owned and refurbished pianos in their showroom. The benefit of going this route is that you can guarantee that you are getting the real deal. What’s more, you can be certain that all the original parts are included and that the piano is in good working order.

The downside, naturally, is that these pianos will also be quite expensive. Thus, you will have to prepare to pay a far higher price than other agents may be asking.

Your other option is third-party sellers like music stores, individual sellers, or even conservatory or schools. Third-party sellers do tend to be the most reliable options. Once again, though, the asking price can be higher.

With individual sellers, you can never be certain what you are going to get. It is difficult to know how well the pianos have been maintained, restored, or how long they will last once you have purchased them.

While conservatories and schools can be reliable sources, there is an issue here. Bear in mind that these pianos will have undergone rigorous use on a daily basis. This is because they have catered to hundreds or thousands of students and pianists. As such, there could be considerable problems that may crop up in the future.

Examining the Authenticity of Refurbished Pianos

When buying a piano that has been reconditioned, it is important to be aware of the process that take place. If a piano is labelled as being factory reconditioned, this means that Steinway was directly responsible for its refurbishment. Therefore, all original parts have been used.

A piano that has been re-conditioned by a third-party may have been fixed up in one of two ways. First, the agent has gotten original parts from Steinway to fix the problem. Or, the agent has used non-genuine Steinway parts.

Needless to say, it is important to ensure that only original Steinway parts have been used during repairs. This is where repair records come in. Always ask to see this log. This will show you what repairs were made and where they took place. Those that took place at a Steinway Repair Center are legitimate.

On the other hand, if the agent claims that the restoration happened at another service center but that the Steinway parts are original, ask for proof. They should have official documentation showing where they got the parts from.

Warranty

A reliable third-party dealer is going to be confident about the pianos that they are selling. This means that they are certain that any repairs or refurbishments will hold up. As such, they will offer customers a warranty.

It is a good idea to look for agents that always include a warranty with the pianos that they are selling. This will give you some idea of how legitimate a seller is. Not to mention, you also have someone who will fix your piano for you without having to incur any additional cost.

Still, always read through the warranty document. Take a note of any discrepancies or red flags that may be hiding there.

Pricing

Last, but not least, there is the pricing. Now, here it is all about finding the right price spot. If a Steinway is priced too long, this can be a warning sign. It either means that the piano isn’t going to last all that much longer or that non-genuine parts have been used.

At the same time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should look for the most expensive second-hand piano around. Look for a well refurbished piano that is competitively priced.

This is what you need to about the cost of Steinway grand pianos. Now that you are aware of the full price as well as the purchase options available to you, you may be able to buy one for yourself.