The most important parts of a piano are the soundboard and pin block. If any of those parts go bad, the piano is effectively rendered useless. The soundboard is the speaker, and any significant damage to this part can absolutely ruin a piano. The pin block is an important part that no owner wants to see go bad.
This is where all the pins are screwed in, and it holds the pins and string tension in place during tuning. If it suffers any damage like cracks, the only way to fix it is to rebuild the entire piano. Rebuilds are very expensive, and if the piano is a cheap one, it would not be worth investing in that rebuild. Ultimately what dictates the longevity of any piano is how well it is cared for. Regular maintenance, proper temperature control, and keeping the instrument clean has a huge impact on its life span.
The early years of a piano are some of the most crucial. This is is the period of time when all of the initial care the instrument receives needs to be done consistently.
When you first purchase a new piano and move it into the home, expect it to take some time to settle in. It will actually be under pitch initially, but after a few tuning procedures will get to where it needs to be. Allow the piano to sit in the home for 4 to 6 weeks before getting a tuning. Most piano manufacturers suggest tuning a piano at least 4 times in the first year.
Doing this early will allow the piano to avoid needing a pitch raise in the future. After a piano has been around for a few years it begins to finally settle in. After about 2 full years the pitch will be much more consistent.
This means fewer tunings overall, and more predictability for the pianist. The strings will have also worked deeper grooves into the hammers, leading to some voicing concerns overall. Normally a more expensive piano will have less impact, but cheap grand pianos will see the effects of this early on.
A piano that once sounded bright might sound duller and visa versa. What you may also notice at this point is that the action of the piano is not as sharp as it once was. I typically define this as an action that is choppy, having lost its smoothness and responsiveness.
This is because there is some wear and tear happening with the rest of the action parts. Probably nine to ten times as many used pianos as new ones change hands each year. While there are no exact figures available because of difficulties in tracking used and private party sales, this figure is based on some fairly conservative assumptions that are generally accepted by the piano industry.
One of these assumptions is that the average life expectancy of a piano is thirty years. We know that many pianos last far longer than this, especially high quality ones that have been restored or rebuilt, often multiple times. Granted, there are also pianos that have succumbed to fire, flood, termites, moving damage, abuse, neglect or other types of destruction before their time. Some pianos, just like fine furniture or other heirlooms, stay in the family for several generations, being passed along from parent to child or grandchild.
Others remain only long enough to find out if someone in the family is interested in piano, sometimes not more than a few months. Suffice to say that there are simply a lot more used pianos out there than new ones, and a lot more people who feel they will get the most for their money in the used market. Besides being kept in the family, a huge number of used pianos are also sold each day through classified ads , auctions, estate sales, garage sales, on-line auction sites such as eBay??
One U. Because they were so well-built and lasted so long, their used pianos were often considered as good a value as or sometimes even a better value than their new ones. What does this mean for you? Steinway pianos repaired with non-Steinway parts should cost significantly less than those repaired with genuine Steinway parts. Most resellers will not advertise whether a Steinway was repaired with genuine parts or not.
If this is important to you and if you are paying for a Steinway, it should be , it is best to ask and to even request to see the repairs log if available. This is a hotly debated topic with accomplished musicians on both sides presenting compelling evidence. Every piano is unique and has its own temperament and quirks. The brand recognition and authority of Steinway is no accident.
They worked hard for many years to develop a high quality business and piano and a loyal following. They woo artists and schools to play and advertise their instruments. In many ways, Steinway has placated and even fed the music culture that deeply values tradition and authority. At the highest end, the differences between a Steinway and most other brands are subtle if they exist at all. Truthfully, even many accomplished pianists have difficulty identifying pianos by sound or feel in blind tests.
Many other piano brands are experimenting, innovating, and improving their product year after year. Steinway, on the other hand, is slow to change and committed to tradition. Some Steinway artists are beginning to invent and try to mesh the old and the new. While some might disagree, the evidence shows that purchasing a Steinway does not guarantee you are purchasing the best piano.
There are many other companies building pianos of equal quality, sound, and longevity. Buying a Steinway is more akin to purchasing a piano that is also a work of art and craftsmanship itself. It is a good investment but it should not be considered the only option for best quality and overall performance. All pianos require regular maintenance and care.
The environment in which they are stored impacts all pianos. So, in that regard, all pianos are equal and their value largely depends on their condition. With the exception of digital pianos, which do depreciate with age because of advances in technology , most reputable pianos age well as long as they are properly cared for.
Therefore, there is no evidence or market research to suggest that Steinways hold their value longer or better than other reputable brands. It is less about the name on the piano than the condition and quality.
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