Steinway Piano Buyer's Guide
- The piano has been a favorite of artists and music lovers since its introduction in the early 1700s. And it is the preferred instrument for introducing a student to music because of its appeal and versatility as either a solo or accompanying instrument.
A well-constructed piano adds beauty and elegance to your home and can provide a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Choosing the right piano can be a very pleasant and rewarding experience for an informed buyer. This guide will assist you in educating yourself on how to select the right piano - based on your specific needs.
Whether the instrument will be played by an accomplished musician or a child just starting lessons, or will simply become a beautiful addition to your home, your personal objectives will help narrow the field of choices and make your selection process easier. More Info - How a Piano Works
When a player's finger strikes a key, it sets the key action (a series of levers connected to a felt hammer) in motion. The hammer strikes one, or a combination of metal strings, which causes them to vibrate. The vibrations are transmitted from the strings to the soundboard through bass and treble bridges. The soundboard converts the vibrations into what is known as piano tone, and amplifies the notes so that they can be heard.
There are over 12,000 specific parts in the typical piano, all of which must function with ease and accuracy. - Selecting a Piano
Grand vs. Vertical
Along with your personal musical requirements, the size of the room where the piano will be placed is an important consideration when determining which size of piano is appropriate. Sound quality and volume is directly related to the size of the soundboard and length of its strings. Therefore, the larger the piano, the better it will sound. If you have the available space and budget, you will be happier with a grand piano. That being said, a high quality vertical is a better choice than a low quality grand.
The major difference between an vertical and a grand piano, other than looks and size, is the position of the soundboard. In a grand piano, the soundboard and strings are positioned horizontally; in a vertical piano, they are positioned vertically. For this reason, verticals are commonly called vertical pianos. Another difference is the key action—in a grand piano the action works with gravity and is more responsive than a vertical.
Steinway designed vertical pianos range from 43-52 inches high and take up about the same amount of floor space (5 feet in width, 2 feet in depth) regardless of height. A vertical is a good choice where space is limited. However, a piano that is too small will look like an afterthought and will not fill the room with sound.
The Steinway-designed family of pianos is comprised of 3 complete lines of grand and vertical pianos able to meet any space and performance criteria. Whether you're looking for a vertical piano for a smaller space, or a grand piano to fill a concert stage, there's a member of the Family of Steinway-designed pianos that's perfect for you. - Servicing Your Piano
Routine service is an important part of piano ownership, and you should consider it no more unusual than the maintenance program you would have for any other fine mechanical object you own. There are three basic steps in maintaining the sound of your piano: tuning, which brings the piano back to pitch; voicing, which affects the piano's tone, or quality of sound; and regulation, or the adjustment of the action mechanism which affects the touch of the piano.
Tuning and voicing are different aspects of adjusting the piano to its optimum standard of performance. Tuning is the adjustment of the piano's strings to the correct pitch. Voicing is the adjustment of the piano's tone or sound and is done by softening or hardening the hammers and adjusting various parts of the piano's keyboard mechanism. Regardless of its original voicing, every piano will acquire a somewhat brighter tone with time as the hammer felts become compacted the more they are struck against the strings. - Continue reading the full 21-page Buying Guide.
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The History of Sherman Clay
- As Sherman Clay enters the 21st century, it stands unique. Few companies have operated continuously for over 135 years.
Leander Sherman founded Sherman Clay in San Francisco, California in 1870.There were no automobiles in the city. It would be six years before electricity was available and nine years before the telephone appeared on the West Coast. Leander Sherman worked to bring the finest concert artists and opera stars to the city. Many of them performed at Sherman Clay's own concert hall.
In 1892, Sherman Clay was authorized as a Steinway dealer.It was around then that Leander Sherman began a lifelong friendship with Paderewski, famed composer and concert artist.
"My good friend, Leander Sherman," wrote Paderewski, "always makes San Francisco a most delightful place to visit."
Through earthquakes, world wars, the depression, Sherman Clay has continued to provide for the musical needs of its customers.
Over the years, the company has adapted to changes in musical taste and technology. More people have purchased pianos from Sherman Clay than any other retailer. Today, the company operates in California, Washington, Oregon, Texas, and Arizona.
Steinway & Sons Piano Styles - Portland
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Sherman Clay Piano Dealers of Seattle - Steinway & Sons was founded by master craftsmen, trained in the best European tradition. They built their pianos one at a time, applying skills that were handed down from master to apprentice, generation after generation.
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Sherman Clay Piano Dealers of Portland - Steinway & Sons was founded by master craftsmen, trained in the best European tradition. They built their pianos one at a time, applying skills that were handed down from master to apprentice, generation after generation.
http://www.shermanclay-portland.com/
Grand Pianos
The production of a Steinway grand piano takes about 12 months. If you add two years of drying and seasoning of the wood, three years have been invested and the instrument can leave the factories in New York and Hamburg to bring joy to its new owner. Throughout the manufacturing process, every grand and upright piano is meticulously hand-crafted. The challenge is to make each instrument perfect in its own special way – a perfect Steinway.
- Model M Medium Grand Piano
At 5 feet 7½ inches in length, our "Music Room" piano is a cherished member of Steinway & Sons’ amazing lineup of incomparable musical instruments. Its rich tone and responsive action is found not only in a great many homes, but in many schools of music and conservatories as well. It’s a piano that can be enjoyed every day, all day, for a lifetime. More Info - Model D Concert Grand Piano
Quite simply, this is the ultimate piano. At 9 feet in length, this majestic musical instrument is the overwhelming choice of the world’s greatest pianists. It has the power and projection to be heard in a 2000-seat concert hall—without the aid of a microphone. It sings above the accompaniment of a symphony orchestra, yet it can whisper with equal impact. Its miraculously sensitive action allows any artist to ask of it whatever he or she wants, with full confidence of this instrument’s ability to respond. More Info
Baby Grand Pianos
- Model S Baby Grand Piano
At 5 feet 1 inch in length, this "Baby" grand piano was introduced in the 1930s. Don’t let its size fool you! Steinway & Sons’ patented "Diaphragmatic Soundboard"—now found in every Steinway piano produced today—was first developed because of this model. To insure that a powerful and rich tone could be produced by a piano of this size, Steinway redesigned its soundboard, resulting in a tone that greatly outperformed others. And it still does. Every inch a Steinway, this piano is a proud addition to any home. More Info
Vertical Pianos
Every budding pianist’s career begins on an vertical piano. In order to develop their gift to the full, talented players need the best possible conditions from the start. Steinway vertical pianos are in a class of their own here, characterized by exceptional touch, precision manufacturing, and the unique Steinway System, with nearly half the patents acquired by Steinway relating to the vertical piano.
- K-52 Vertical Piano
This fifty-two-inch high masterpiece is simply the most impressive vertical piano in the world. The patented diaphragmatic soundboard has the same “speaking area” as that of a six-foot grand piano. The wonderfully responsive Accelerated Action allows the player to ask anything of the piano, with full confidence that it will respond—and that it will do so beautifully. The cabinet is impressive—with intricate inlay to be found on the front upper panels of the natural wood finish models. The massive and strategically placed backposts give support where it’s most needed, thus insuring that this piano will be used for generations. More Info - 1098 Vertical Piano
At forty-six and one half inches high, Steinway’s “Professional” upright has been widely used in the most demanding institutional settings for many decades. Its Accelerated Action is amazingly responsive, due in part to a unique design feature that uses the force of gravity to bring the hammers back to their rest position—which is something found only in Steinway vertical pianos. More Info
Crown Jewels Piano Collection
Each Steinway Crown Jewel is an original handmade work of art, unique in all the world. Individually distinguished with a special limited edition medallion marking its rarity. A Steinway that makes itself heard even before you touch the keys.
- Macassar Ebony
Also known as French Rosewood, Macassar Ebony comes from the African East Indies. An extremely valued wood, it is often used for inlays and other ornamental work. The color ranges from dark brown to black, with many of the logs streaked with yellowish brown or gray. Grain markings are fine and very indistinct. Your exclusive Steinway & Sons Dealer will be pleased to give you a complete presentation of all the magnificent wood veneers included in the Steinway Crown Jewel Collection. More Info - Santos Rosewood
Found in Belize, this valuable wood has characteristic large pores that are exceedingly irregular both in size and position. The various shades of dark brown range from chocolate to violet, with conspicuous black streaks. Your exclusive Steinway & Sons Dealer will be pleased to give you a complete presentation of all the magnificent wood veneers included in the Steinway Crown Jewel Collection. More Info
Steinway & Sons Limited Editions Pianos
Throughout the 153-year history of Steinway & Sons, there has been a tradition of honoring special occasions by inviting leading designers to create exceptional instruments. Over the years, these limited editions have delighted many lucky owners. And indeed, these precious instruments are very special and unique masterpieces featuring the individual style of each designer.
- Tricentennial Limited Edition Grand Piano designed by Dakota Jackson
The 300th anniversary of the piano in 2000 was reason enough to present a special grand piano. The challenge was to create an art case piano that would embody the Steinway tradition of hand craftsmanship and technical innovation, and also create a new perception of how this fabulous instrument has changed the world of music. To accomplish this task, Steinway chose to collaborate with renowned furniture designer, Dakota Jackson, an artist known for his simple yet inventive approach to design. The stunning result is Tricentennial, a piano that captures the instrument’s essential beauty, while incorporating numerous engineering innovations. More Info - 125th Anniversary Limited Edition Grand Piano designed by Count Albrecht von Goertz
On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the foundation of Steinway & Sons in Hamburg in 2005, Count Albrecht von Goertz, the creator of arguably the world’s most beautiful sports car, the BMW 507, designed the anniversary grand piano which is notable for its simplicity. Equating music with movement, Count Goertz set about creating a special design that would reflect this idea. He chose to retain the classic Steinway black finish, focusing instead on endowing various components with the sleek lines for which he is renowned. More Info
Boston Grand Pianos
Boston grand pianos are impressive and beautiful musical instruments due to their unique and proprietary design. Designed by Steinway & Sons, these pianos reflect the tone, touch, and durability that are consistent with their heritage. Their tone is greatly enhanced due to the soundboard design, which incorporates a series of innovative and important features.
- GP-178 Boston Grand Piano
This 5-foot-10-inch grand piano performs like one that is well over 6 feet long, due to its creative and unique design. Frequently selected by schools, this is a piano that produces beautiful tone brought forth by a responsive action that makes it a joy to play, and to hear. More Info - GP-193 Boston Grand Piano
This 6-foot-4-inch instrument is the perfect piano for those who demand the performance of a 7-foot grand, but simply do not have the room for one. Its powerful tone and sensitive action appeal to professional musicians, and it will completely satisfy those who want a clearly superior piano for their home. This is a beautiful and impressive piano that anyone can be proud to own. More Info
Boston Vertical Pianos
Boston upright pianos are marvelous musical instruments that are the inspiration and the unique, proprietary design of Steinway & Sons. Each model features an all-wood action, with Steinway-designed geometry that results in incredible sensitivity and responsiveness.
- UP-126E Vertical Piano
At just over 49 and ½ inches, this amazing piano produces an incredibly rich and powerful tone. Its action is sensitive, and able to provide the player with the ability to create tone at levels found only on performance quality pianos. This beautiful piano will inspire those fortunate to play it. More Info - UP-132E Vertical Piano
This 52-inch upright offers a musical performance that will impress the most demanding pianist. Its large soundboard produces a lovely and powerful tone, and its action is able to keep up with whatever the pianist asks of it. This piano is often selected by music education facilities, due to its musical performance characteristics and durability. This is an extremely impressive piano. More Info
Essex Grand Pianos
Designed in their entirety by Steinway & Sons, these surprisingly affordable grand pianos offer owners a fully satisfying musical experience and a beautiful addition to their homes. The sound these pianos produce is full and rich due in part to the innovative shape and design of the solid-spruce soundboard; and the low-tension scale results in a lengthy sustain in addition to its warm, rich, colorful, and fully pleasing tone.
- EGP-155T TRADITIONAL Grand Piano
For the discriminating traditional buyer. This design offers a look back into the style of the early part of the 20th century without losing the modern architecture of the present day grands. More Info - EGP-161C CLASSIC Grand Piano
Featuring a classic Sheraton design that has stood the test of time for over 100 years since it was first introduced by Steinway & Sons in the early 1900s, this 5-foot-3-inch piano is small enough to fit into just about any space … but produces a tone that is rich and full enough to fill just about any room. Available in a number of styles and finishes, at least one of these beautiful pianos will be the perfect compliment to just about any home décor. More Info
Essex Vertical Pianos
Completely designed by Steinway & Sons, Essex vertical pianos are offered in a stunning array of sizes, styles, and finishes. Though they have many different looks, what they all have in common is extremely important. First, they all produce a tone that is reminiscent of their Steinway design—a tone that is superior to what is typically expected from a vertical piano—due in part to the innovative design of the solid-spruce soundboard that is found in every model.
- EUP-111 R REGENCY Vertical Piano
Available in the following finish:
satin: sapele mahogany
Height: 43 1/4’’ (111 cm)
Width: 59 1/8’’ (150 cm)
Depth: 24 ½’’ (62 cm) More Info - EUP-116 E CLASSIC STUDIO Vertical Piano
Available in a tremendous number of styles and finishes, this beautiful 45½-inch piano exhibits the beautiful tone and responsive keyboard found only within The Family of Steinway-Designed Pianos. No matter what the décor, one of the available styles will fit perfectly in any home. More Info