Pianos are manufactured in two ways. The important difference between
pianos is the amount of time spent in assembling the various parts into
the case and bringing individual instruments up to their final tone
quality. Pianos manufactured in this traditional manner may take from
nine months to a year to put on the finishing touches. Workers
throughout the generations of piano builders were taught the ways and
techniques of their trade by the elder craftsmen - it was the only way -
because until just recently there existed no blueprints showing how the
best pianos were built. Each craftsman uses only his own un powered hand
tools on "his" piano - beginning its life and seeing it to finished
construction. Each piano reflects the ability and tonal ideas of its
maker. This is why pianos of the same model and make all sound so
different from each other.
This advice and data
for buying a piano comes from the, "Buyer’s Guide to Quality Pianos,"
prepared by the Bluebook of Pianos for The National Piano Institute. The booklet also provides technical
information such as structural details, tuning and how to judge tone.
Diagrams and a glossary of terms are included. The more pianos you
sample, the more familiar you’ll grow with your own ideal. Somewhere you
have a vision of what only you and only you want in a piano.
There's more to a
piano than just the brand, type and size. This guide is directed to the interests and
guidance of the prospective piano buyer, it is an objective, non-slanted, and a third
party approach which can serve to reinforce a consumer’s interest in a piano.
This is no bull and is not biased in any way. It is based on all fact, not
opinion. The public, by its purchases, decides which pianos are the most
desirable. According to figures released by the Bureau of the Census of
the Department of Commerce the brand names along with the most popular
types and sizes are listed by market share are shown in this consumer
information report.
Suppose that you plan to buy a piano
primarily so that the children can learn to play. You may even have an
idea you’d like to learn yourself. You want a reasonably good piano,
of course, but you doubt that the purchase of the very finest piano
would be justified in your case. Can you safely buy a piano of lower
cost? A second school of thought in the piano business says Yes. Below
the really standout instruments is a great middle group of fine pianos
capable of pleasing all but the most advanced musical tastes. Below
these is another group of pianos, perhaps less durable and less
perfect musically and mechanically, but still capable of giving
satisfactory service. - As a general rule, the most important
difference between pianos is the amount of time spent in assembling
the various parts into the case and bringing the individual
instruments up to their final tone quality. From nine months to a year
may be spent on finishing touches for the best pianos. Others may be
shipped to dealers the minute they come off the assembly line.
Lower-cost pianos are also likely to be made of lower-cost materials
and may be more difficult to keep in tune.
The first thing to know, in order to make a wise choice of an instrument, is
what you want the piano for. This decision will have a direct bearing on the
price and quality of the piano you will finally buy. One school of thought
insists that no one should buy anything but the finest piano built. A piano, in
this view, - is a lifetime investment, and nothing less than an instrument of
complete artistic capabilities is worth purchasing. Obviously, if you are a
professional musician or a serious amateur, this is, indeed, the kind of piano
for you. The extra cost will not amount to much when spread over the years, and
you will have, besides, the dividend of being able to play on something of
superior merit.
When
shopping for a piano you'll find that dealers
don't want to give you price information over the phone. They
expect you to come into the store and hear a sales presentation
before prices are given. If you know what pianos cost this
can make it very difficult when you want to buy. Most buyers want a general idea of
the marketplace before they go out shopping because it helps them to
make the larger scale decisions like: "How much money do I want to
spend?" and "What will I get for what I pay?".
If you buy a tip sheet, a piano book will give you a good understanding of what is
available for sale and how much it might cost on the high and low
side. Based on someone else's opinion. But don't expect anyone to tell
you the truth that doesn't have their hand out.
