The pianos that I actually have in my stock are ones that I find interesting for different reasons such as superior tone, a beautiful cabinet, a famous maker's name or some other characteristic that makes the instrument historically significant.
Most pianos that interest me are made before the depression (1930). The great depression was the watershed point for the piano industry. The overwhelming majority of piano manufacturers did not survive the depression and those that did were nearly broke. Prior to the depression as many as 200 companies made pianos in Canada. Only about 6 continued after the depression and now there are none. In the USA, the numbers are proportionately larger and they paint a similar picture.
So the best pianos generally speaking were made between about 1880 and 1930. They are considered modern pianos because the parts are standardized and still available and because pianos are made the same way today. Good post depression pianos are rarer and more expensive whereas pre-depression pianos usually need or have had restoration to some extent.
It's possible to get an old piano with the cabinet style that appeals to one's taste because styles changed from fancy to plain and back again over the decades. Like tone quality, cabinet style cannot be changed, nor can it be ignored since a piano is large and the pianist sits facing it. So even though cabinet style cannot be heard, it must be seen and usually that makes it important. It is the first thing to look for.
Tone quality is inherent and generally speaking cannot be improved. It is part of the manufacturing process and is the major thing that skilled makers strive to create. High quality tone cannot be seen of course, and in some ways requires an experienced and/or educated ear. Once discovered though it becomes desirable beyond anything else. It is sought second after cabinet style for the simple reason that tone only exists when the piano is played, whereas cabinet style is always visible.
The way the piano feels to the hands when it is played is the third way that pianos are perceived. The piano is a machine made of wood, metal and felt and there are considerable differences between the way pianos play. This is called the "action" of the piano. New pianos run more smoothly, quietly and key response is quicker than is the case in pianos with worn actions. Also, higher quality pianos have more complex actions and they play better too, just like other machines.
When searching for a good piano I like to have balance in all three of the above areas. Just a nice cabinet isn't enough any more than a piano that sounds great but has poor cabinet condition is acceptable.
Look for period details that are no longer available today such as ivory keytops, solid brass hardware, top quality rosewood, ribbon and watermark mahogany, birds eye maple and quarter sawn oak cabinets, frescoes, purfling, and other details found on the cabinet and on the gilded plate inside the piano. Note chip carving, marquetry, beveled edges, fancy
fallboard decals and special attention to marks such as serial numbers and makers signatures.
High quality period pianos were made by craftsmen who specialized in making various components. Often the key maker would sign his work on the side of a bass note for example. Look for other signatures and dates on the action, cabinet parts and soundboard.
To find a great piano is more about the work of locating it than it is about the money. Upright pianos especially are available in the hundreds of dollars generally rather than thousands. Even a piano that has had significant maintenance over the years and is a fine instrument as well can usually be had for a couple of thousand dollars more or less. Quite a bit of money and effort can be saved by finding a piano that has new strings and/or hammers. A refinished cabinet can sometimes be a good thing depending on the quality of the work done.
If you're in the market for a grand piano in Canada, the search will be more difficult. The number of grand pianos made compared to uprights is about 500 to 1. And of those grand pianos made, most are small inexpensive instruments, barely superior if at all to a large upright. The rule is beware any upright piano less than 48" tall and beware any grand less than 6' long. Yes a nice Steinway in the 5'10" size might attract consideration....but not by me. In general, the best tone and quality of construction are found in pianos that fit that simple rule. Expect to pay between $5,000 and $15,000 for a good to great grand piano. The best deals are found in the very largest pianos because few rooms can house them and moving is cumbersome.
A big nicely restored upright should be a pleasure to see, hear and play....a big, nicely restored, grand piano should wow the senses!
Most pianos that interest me are made before the depression (1930). The great depression was the watershed point for the piano industry. The overwhelming majority of piano manufacturers did not survive the depression and those that did were nearly broke. Prior to the depression as many as 200 companies made pianos in Canada. Only about 6 continued after the depression and now there are none. In the USA, the numbers are proportionately larger and they paint a similar picture.
So the best pianos generally speaking were made between about 1880 and 1930. They are considered modern pianos because the parts are standardized and still available and because pianos are made the same way today. Good post depression pianos are rarer and more expensive whereas pre-depression pianos usually need or have had restoration to some extent.
It's possible to get an old piano with the cabinet style that appeals to one's taste because styles changed from fancy to plain and back again over the decades. Like tone quality, cabinet style cannot be changed, nor can it be ignored since a piano is large and the pianist sits facing it. So even though cabinet style cannot be heard, it must be seen and usually that makes it important. It is the first thing to look for.
Tone quality is inherent and generally speaking cannot be improved. It is part of the manufacturing process and is the major thing that skilled makers strive to create. High quality tone cannot be seen of course, and in some ways requires an experienced and/or educated ear. Once discovered though it becomes desirable beyond anything else. It is sought second after cabinet style for the simple reason that tone only exists when the piano is played, whereas cabinet style is always visible.
The way the piano feels to the hands when it is played is the third way that pianos are perceived. The piano is a machine made of wood, metal and felt and there are considerable differences between the way pianos play. This is called the "action" of the piano. New pianos run more smoothly, quietly and key response is quicker than is the case in pianos with worn actions. Also, higher quality pianos have more complex actions and they play better too, just like other machines.
When searching for a good piano I like to have balance in all three of the above areas. Just a nice cabinet isn't enough any more than a piano that sounds great but has poor cabinet condition is acceptable.
Look for period details that are no longer available today such as ivory keytops, solid brass hardware, top quality rosewood, ribbon and watermark mahogany, birds eye maple and quarter sawn oak cabinets, frescoes, purfling, and other details found on the cabinet and on the gilded plate inside the piano. Note chip carving, marquetry, beveled edges, fancy
fallboard decals and special attention to marks such as serial numbers and makers signatures.
High quality period pianos were made by craftsmen who specialized in making various components. Often the key maker would sign his work on the side of a bass note for example. Look for other signatures and dates on the action, cabinet parts and soundboard.
To find a great piano is more about the work of locating it than it is about the money. Upright pianos especially are available in the hundreds of dollars generally rather than thousands. Even a piano that has had significant maintenance over the years and is a fine instrument as well can usually be had for a couple of thousand dollars more or less. Quite a bit of money and effort can be saved by finding a piano that has new strings and/or hammers. A refinished cabinet can sometimes be a good thing depending on the quality of the work done.
If you're in the market for a grand piano in Canada, the search will be more difficult. The number of grand pianos made compared to uprights is about 500 to 1. And of those grand pianos made, most are small inexpensive instruments, barely superior if at all to a large upright. The rule is beware any upright piano less than 48" tall and beware any grand less than 6' long. Yes a nice Steinway in the 5'10" size might attract consideration....but not by me. In general, the best tone and quality of construction are found in pianos that fit that simple rule. Expect to pay between $5,000 and $15,000 for a good to great grand piano. The best deals are found in the very largest pianos because few rooms can house them and moving is cumbersome.
A big nicely restored upright should be a pleasure to see, hear and play....a big, nicely restored, grand piano should wow the senses!
