STAFF PIANO PICKS: May 2021
Hello from Beethoven Pianos & Absolute Piano! With summer around the corner and the city opening back up, this is a great time to pick up a new hobby!
Our sales staff of pianists/piano teachers (Beethoven Pianos in Manhattan, Absolute Piano in Brooklyn) will offer monthly staff piano picks to assist you in choosing the perfect piano for your home/studio.
Please visit our website to view our full inventory:
Jo’s pick: Baldwin B52 (New) 52” Satin Ebony upright
Baldwin B52 (New) 52” Satin Ebony upright
The Baldwin brand has been a cherished piano company since 1862, in homes as well as in performances by artists Aaron Copland, Philip Glass, Leonard Bernstein, Billy Joel, Ben Folds, and Miley Cyrus, among many others.
Baldwin’s scale design- exact shape of soundboards, placement and thickness of bridges and rims, length of strings etc. produce instruments with a big “American sound”. Baldwin pianos are known for their big bass, and clear high treble range.
Baldwin is now a subsidiary of the Gibson brand (guitar), and the pianos are produced in Baldwin’s Chinese factory.
At 52inches tall, the Baldwin B52 is the largest sized upright, producing a deep and resonant tone that one would expect from a baby grand piano.
I recommend this piano for all levels, beginners-advanced pianists. The piano boasts an even medium-heavy action that feels like you’re gliding on the keys with the warm and rich sounds coming directly at you from the “speaker” like design by the music rest. The Satin-black finish will complement both a sleek modern designed home as well as a more traditional designed home. This piano would also be a great instrument for recording studios due to its resonant and rich quality.
At under $7900 including delivery to first floor/elevator buildings, free first tuning and bench, this beautiful instrument is a worthwhile long-term investment
Another Baldwin Piano: Grand Piano, Uplight Piano
Kaoru’s Pick: Steinway Art Case 54” Upright (1886)
Steinway Art Case 54” Upright (1886)
This vintage art case Steinway upright was built in 1886.
The Steinway company was established in Germany. After immigrating to the United States in the 1850’s, they built the world's largest piano factory in NY in 1859. Since then, new ideas and inventions by Steinway have made significant improvements to the piano. Unlike Europe, the US doesn't have as many large cultural/historic theatres and opera houses, and churches are usually simple one-story buildings. Because the piano requires a powerful and loud sound if the natural acoustic system doesn’t suffice, Steinway developed ways to solve this problem. The Steinway sound is often described as ‘muscular/masculine’.
Pianos were extremely luxurious items in the 19 Century which only wealthy people could afford. Pianos were originally handmade and designed as an art piece for this reason; This ornate open work was done with the simple tools of a skilled craftsman. These carvings are done by machine
Beethoven Pianos worked on both the inside and outside casing of this piano with new parts. We have replaced the action, strings, hammers, dampers, and keytops as well as refinishing the instrument in the old-fashioned way. We hand-rubbed to apply lacquer with steel wool. It is very rare to come across an 130+ years old piano in this great look and condition! This Steinway plays nicely with an even action and it has an extremely warm tone.
It will be not only a magnificent centerpiece for your living room, but a very nice musical instrument for your family.
Other Steinway : Grand Pianos Upright Pianos
Mark’s Pick: Wurlitzer Mini Butterfly (1937)
Wurlitzer Mini Butterfly (1937)
Wurlitzer was established in 1850’s in NY, about the same time as Steinway and Sons. The founder Mr. Wurlitzer built the factory in Ohio.
Butterfly pianos are symmetrically designed with two top lids instead of one. It opens like a butterfly’s wings. It is a rare butterfly piano but this particular one is even more special: There are 73 keys instead of 88! This makes the instrument look cute and petite. Most butterfly models had simple legs or designed in art deco style, but this piano has decorative Louis XV legs which are extremely rare. It
comes with it’s own matching original bench.
It was owned and played by famous artist Perry Como. This piano has been restored and refinished by our expert technician and refinishers at Beethoven Pianos. It has a new pin block, new size 0 pins with Mapes hand wined strings. For such a small piano it has brilliant sound and great playability.
Joshua’s Pick: Kawai 550 5’10” Grand Piano (1969)
Kawai 550 5’10” Grand Piano (1969)
Manufactured and produced in Hamamatsu, Japan (the same town in which Yamaha pianos are built), Kawai has cultivated a strong reputation since their founding, nearing a century ago, for building high quality instruments that compete with some of the world’s most reputable brands.
This rebuilt Kawai 550 Grand has a spectacular sound and action at an affordable price. Standing at 5’10” this instrument has a classic, sleek aesthetic with a satin ebony finish and beautiful inscription of the Kawai logo on the soundboard. Sitting somewhere on the spectrum between a baby grand and medium-sized grand piano, this instrument has the versatility and receptiveness one would expect from a larger instrument without the expense of floorspace.
The Kawai 550 is incredibly receptive to even the most subtle of touches and while still being extremely comfortable and responsive at higher volumes. I would describe its tone profile as warm with a soft yet crisp, percussive attack. It has a powerful bass and a bell-like upper register. I would consider the action to be slightly on the heavier side.
The Kawai 550 is ideal for music students who are looking for an upgrade from their upright, professionals as a practice instrument, or simply anybody looking to enjoy the benefits of a grand piano at an affordable price.
Another Kawai piano : Grand Piano
Tomoko’s Pick : Yamaha U3CHC 48” Upright Cherry (1987)
YAMAHA pianos can be an excellent option for pianists of any level. YAMAHA pianos remain one of the most consistent choices among pianists, and I personally love their pianos the most. This is primarily because they offer superior/consistent quality, impeccable music range, and excellent design. YAMAHA’s history began when Toraku Yamaha, founder of Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd (later renamed YAMAHA Corporation) repaired a broken reed organ. Shortly thereafter in 1887, he successfully completed building the first reed organ in Japan. The first piano to be made in Japan was an upright built by him in 1900. Just two years later, the Nippon Gakki factory resonated with the tones of its first grand piano. During this early period, the company focused on manufacturing instruments for the Japanese market, where interest in Western classical music was still relatively new. Today, Yamaha has grown to become not only the world’s largest manufacture of music instruments but also a leading manufacturer of semiconductors, audio/visual, computer related products, sporting goods, home appliances and industrial robots. This incredible name recognition has allowed them to price their pianos at a high price point.
This beautiful Yamaha U3CHC is made of cherry wood and equivalent size to their one of the most famous pianos: U3. This piano has not only a beautiful and elegant design (look at the charming cabriole legs!) and color but also a pleasant quality. The tone is bright and clear yet warm and deep. The action is lighter, fast and responsive, and you can effortlessly play fast passages and make desired tones. Also, since the body is a bit taller and bigger, the strings are longer than other regular upright pianos, and it enriches the sound production. Tone in the bass is rich and deep which sounds like full-bodied wine!
I’d recommend this piano for any intermediate/advanced and professional pianists. Of course any beginners would enjoy this piano, and perhaps improve quicker because you could practice on this piano tirelessly!
Another Yamaha: Grand Piano, Uplight Piano