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"Piano Consumer Quality & Price Guidelines" |
CONSUMER PRICE INFORMATION
1974 - 2010
Our guidelines strictly adhere to the Ethics and guidelines of The International Society of Ethical Music Merchants Association of America. All of our guidelines follow the following mandates of the Uniform Standards of Professional Consumer Rating Practice
- Ratings are done by an independent organization dedicated to helping consumers
- Piano Ratings must be Unbiased Manufacturers and Retailers cannot buy top rating placement
- The person doing the rating does not Endorse Brand Names or Retailers
- The person doing the rating does not Accept advertising
- Shopping search results are listed by quality lowest to highest.
- This must be done in a completely ad-free environment
- Must not have a financial relationship with Factories or retailers
- The person doing the rating does not sell pianos
CONSUMER INFORMATION REPORT Grand Pianos
B. INTERMEDIATE
Vertical
Pianos "School" - "Studio" - "Professional"
B. INTERMEDIATE
Vertical
Pianos "Consoles"
B. INTERMEDIATE
Vertical Pianos "Spinets"
B. INTERMEDIATE
B -
New -
Used - Pianos - Grand Pianos - Upright Piano - Spinet Pianos- Console Pianos -
Studio Piano
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 "Over 10 Million Copies in Print" |
Piano
Times"Time to Buy a Piano" |
 "A Piano Consumer Advocate Newspaper" |
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Please Note: U.S. employment, piano producers shipments and industry profitability all declined during 1978-82. This falling market coincided with demographic changes and a severe recession. Dealers advertised wild and exaggerated claims of discounts in the 50 to 70% off range. The Piano Times was an effort to stem these reckless claims by publishing legitimate retail prices of all pianos on the market at that time. The following is an example of that effort. Distribution 1.2 million in the Los Angeles Area. |
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Left Side: Piano Times Listing of all Piano Prices sold during 1983. The formula used to compile the retail prices were based on "Keystone" or fair trade prices during 1983. That is the cost of the instrument, add the freight and double the total. This is would then be a 50% margin plus destination charges. Rarely did a dealer sell pianos at these prices. According to figures released by the Bureau of the Department of Commerce the weighted average margin of profit was between 38% to 42% over a period of over 50 years. Picture
on Right Side: Piano times issue showing the average Fair Trade Price of
Grand Pianos between 1985 and 1995. Also known as "Fair Market
Value" in accounting terms. These prices are certified through documentation by the United States Chamber of Commerce and statistics published in the Music Trades Magazine and by The National Piano Foundation. A not for profit organization. |
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1981 Chart of Pianos and Prices |
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Vertical Pianos Check this chart for piano brands and costs. Prices shown are from the best available information and do not include freight, delivery, dealer preparation or associated expenses. The ratings are the opinion of the author who is solely responsible for its content. Prices shown are approximate. Group I are top quality pianos of unquestioned merit and represent the best value for a lifetime investment. Group II are pianos of excellent construction and quality in a medium price range. Group III are pianos of generally lower price but completely capable of giving satisfactory service. Not all pianos in a given group are of the same quality, price or value and there may only be a small difference between the top names of a lower group and the bottom names in the group above it. No attempt has been made to include all names in Group II and III. Private label pianos are omitted and only brand names which are nationally known are listed. All three groups are alphabetical listings.
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| GROUP I | SPINET | CONSOLE | STUDIO |
| Baldwin |
$1,895 to $2,695 |
$2,295 to $2,852 |
$2,495 to $2,852 |
| Chickering | $2,995 to $3,484 | ||
| Everett | $2.645 to $2.945 | $2.395 to $2.920 | |
| Kawai | 52.595 to $2.920 | $2.650 to $4,040 | |
| Knabe |
$3.295 to $3.682 |
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| Kohler & Campbell |
$1.586 to $2.120 |
$1.884 to $3.152 | $2,194 to $2.390 |
| Mason-Hamlin | 3.696 to $3,864 | $4.195 to $4.550 | |
| Sohmer | 2.895 to $3,795 | $2,795 to $3,280 | |
| Steinway |
$4.050 to $4,850 |
$4,200 to $4,600 |
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| Yamaha | $2,595 to $3,140 | $2,650 to $4,045 | |
| GROUP II | |||
| Cable | $1.695 to $2,195 | $1,845 to $2,165 | $1,975 to $2,200 |
| Currier | $1,595 to 51 ,795 | $1,795 to 51,995 | |
| Kimball | $1,720 to $1 ,900 | $1,990 to $3.070 | $2.120 to $2,450 |
| Kranich & Bach | $1,695 to $2,195 | $1,845 to $2,165 | |
| Lowery | $2,350 to $3.140 | ||
| Story & Clark |
$2,120 to $2.975 |
$2,240 to $3,175 |
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| Winter |
$1.695 to $2.195 |
$1.845 to $2,165 |
$1,995 to $2,220 |
| Wurlitzer |
$1,744 to $2.258 |
$1,920 10 $2,854 |
$2.216 to $3,250 |
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GROUP III Bradbury. Cable. Hammond. A.B. Chase, Jesse French. Gordon Laughead. Grand Piano Company. Kincaid, Hallett & Davis. Harrington, Hobart M. Cable, Howard. Ivers & Pond. Mehlin & Son. Henry F. Miller. Poole. Shonlnger. Sterling. Whitney. Whitmore and another 50 stencil names. Prices should run between $1.195 and $1.495 for these. Prices shown will vary in different parts of the country and are approximate based on available information. Opinions of merit or quality are those of the author who is solely responsible for the content of this article. |
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GROUP I Grand Pianos Group l are top quality pianos of unquestioned merit and represent an excellent investment. A piano with a fine reputation will actually appreciate in value over a span of years. For example, any of these grand pianos in Group 1 bought 10 years ago, given normal care, can easily be sold for more than twice the original price today. No attempt has been made to include the very fine European pianos in this listing, which would show similar increases in value .. Group II represents pianos of excellent quality in a medium price range. Some furniture styles are of higher price. Good advice is to buy the largest piano for space and money available. Prices shown are approximate, based on price information and effective January 1. Prices also reflect normal dealer freight, delivery and tuning charges, Prices will vary in different parts of the country and may vary on dealers' normal mark-up.
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| BRAND NAME | SIZES | 1971 PRICE RANGE | 1981 PRICE RANGE |
| Baldwin |
5'2" to 9' |
$3.018 to $7.700 |
$9.628 to $21.492 |
| Kawai |
5'1" to 9'2" |
$1.695 to $6.250 |
$5.970 to $19.040 |
| Knabe |
5'1" to 9' |
$2.300 to $6.550 |
$7.236 to $20.456 |
| Mason & Hamlin |
5'4" to 8'11" |
$3.200 to $6,900 |
$9.746 to $21,236 |
| Sohmer |
5' to 5'7" |
$2.545 to $3.700 |
$8.022 to $8.922 |
| Steinway |
5'1" to 9' |
$3.325 to $7,500 |
$11.420 to $24.456 |
| Yamaha |
5'3" to 9' |
$1,695 to $6.195 |
$5.136 to $20.338 |
| GROUP II | |||
| Aeolian/ American | 5'1" | $2.390 to $2.990 | $5.250 to $5,850 |
| Cable | 5'1" | $2.390 to $2.990 | $5.250 to $5,850 |
| Kranich & Bach. | 5'1" | $2.390 to $2.990 | $5.250 to $5,850 |
| Hardman,Peck | 5'1" | $2.390 to $2.990 | $5.250 to $5,850 |
| Henry A. Miller | 5'1" | $2.390 to $2.990 | $5.250 to $5,850 |
| Winter | 5'1" | $2.390 to $2.990 | $5.250 to $5,850 |
| Chickering | 5'1" to 5'8" | $2,560 to $3.240 | $6,775 to $7.550 |
| Kimball |
5'8" |
$2,500 |
$6.880 |
| Kimball | 4'5" to 6'7" | $5,180 to $9,335 | |
| Kohler & Campbell | 5' to 6' | $6.232 to $7,732 | |
| Wurlitzer | 5'2" | $8.342 | |
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Prices shown will vary in different parts
of the country and are approximate based on available information.
Opinions of merit or quality are those of the author who is solely
responsible for the content of this article.
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1991 Chart of Pianos and Prices |
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Vertical Pianos
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| GROUP I | SPINET | CONSOLE | STUDIO - UPRIGHT |
| Astin-Weight | $4,500 to $4,650 | $6,500 | |
| Baldwin |
$3,450 to $3,795 |
$3,850 to $4,195 |
$3,600 to $6,950 |
| Kawai | $3,875 to $4,790 | $4,770 to $7,200 | |
| Mason-Hamlin | $11.800 | ||
| Sohmer | $4,500 to $4,950 | $4,800 to $5,225 | |
| Steinway |
$7,250 to $8,640 |
$8,650 to $12,500 |
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| Walter, Charles R. | $5,200 to $5,675 | $5,990 to $6,400 | |
| Yamaha | $3,600 to $5,020 | $4,860 to $7,800 | |
| GROUP II | |||
| Everett | $2,850 to $3,200 | $3,500 | |
| Kimball | $2,460 to $2,760 | $2,670 to $3.300 | $5,500 to $5,860 |
| Samick | $2,650 to $3,995 | $3,350 to $5,400 | |
| Schafer & Sons |
$3,120 to $3,850 |
$3,650 to $4,660 |
$4,500 to $10,900 |
| Sojin |
$2,950 to $3.875 |
$3,400 to $5,200 |
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| Tadashi | $5,100 to $6,200 | $5,800 to $6,550 | |
| Weber | $3,100 to $4,400 | $4,255 to $5,480 | |
| Wurlitzer |
$2.295 to $2.695 |
$2,665 to $3,990 |
$3,970 to $5,200 |
| Young Chang |
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$2,850 10 $4,850 | $3,995 to $5,195 |
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GROUP III
Becker, Blessing, Handok, Hastings, Hanover, Hinze, Hohner, Hsing, Hai, Hyundai, Jasper-American, Maeari, Nieer, Pearl River.
Prices shown will vary in different parts of the country and are approximate based on available information. Opinions of merit or quality are those of the author who is solely responsible for the content of this article. |
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Grand Pianos
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| GROUP I | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | |
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BRAND NAME |
SIZES | PRICE RANGE | PRICE RANGE | |
| Baldwin |
5'2" to 9' |
$3.018 to $7.700 |
$9.628 to $21.492 |
$14,600 to $36,400 |
| Falcone | 6'1" to 9' | $19,500 to 41,300 | ||
| Kawai |
5'1" to 9'2" |
$1.695 to $6.250 |
$5.970 to $19.040 |
$10,250 to $38,550 |
| Mason & Hamlin |
5'4" to 8'11" |
$3.200 to $6,900 |
$9.746 to $21,236 |
$16,656 to $37,300 |
| Sohmer |
5' to 5'7" |
$2.545 to $3.700 |
$8.022 to $8.922 |
$12,500 to $15,200 |
| Steinway |
5'1" to 9' |
$3.325 to $7,500 |
$11.420 to $24.456 |
$18,500 to $4,8750 |
| Yamaha |
5'3" to 9' |
$1,695 to $6.195 |
$5.136 to $20.338 |
$11,453 to 44,594 |
| GROUP II | ||||
| Howard | 4'9" to 5'8" | $5.250 to $5,850 | $6,500 $7,995 | |
| Kimball | 4'5" to 6'7" |
$2.500 to $3.240 |
$6,775 to $9,335 | $$7,800 to $14,685 |
| Samick | 5'2" to 9' | $3,995 to $18,200 | $9,650 to $32,600 | |
| Schafer & Sons | 5'2" to 9" | $1.895 to $4,500 | $4,995 to $22,800 | $9,018 to $37,900 |
| Sojin | 5'2 " to 9' | $6,995 to $28,995 | ||
| Wurlitzer (Korea) | 5'2" to 5'10" | (5'2") $8.342 | $7,200 to 8,770 | |
| Young Chang | 4'11" to 9' | $6,080 to $11,600 | $$6,900 to $29,800 | |
| Becker, Blessing, Handok, Hastings, Hanover, Hinze, Hohner, Hsing, Hai, Hyundai, Jasper-American, Maeari, Nieer, Pearl River. Prices shown will vary in different parts of the country and are approximate based on available information. Opinions of merit or quality are those of the author who is solely responsible for the content of this article. | ||||
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Robert T. Furst Founder & Executive Director |
CONSUMER INFORMATION GUIDE
JANUARY 2010
Now
Available
Every piano made has an individual character all its own. This pedigree that sets it apart, even from other instruments of the same make and style, is inevitable. No two trees ever grow exactly alike. Grain and densities differ between different species and between individual trees of the same species. Ivory tusks and plastics differ in color, grain and density. Wools, from which hammer and damper felts are made, vary in texture and length of fiber. Such variations are present in all materials from which pianos are made.
NO TWO MARKETS ARE EXACTLY ALIKE!
The cost of Real Estate, rent, labor, and taxes varies in different parts of the country. Competition varies between larger and smaller dealerships. Transportation expenses also increase the cost to you if the piano comes from a distant part of the country. In some cases prices vary greatly. Supply and demand differ with local economic conditions. Demographics vary from State to State and City to City.
PLEASE NOTE !
This is a working list and not all data is complete. Therefore, use this list as a starting point, and not as a final source. Our information is intended for use in public libraries and educational institutions. It is subject to individual dealer markup and manufacturer price increases as well as currency exchanges. These prices are not "official" and can change without notice. We constantly request price updates from factories but some factories state that retail pricing is the responsibility of the dealer.
You will find that each dealer has their own "List Price" for their pianos. When shopping for a piano you'll find that dealers don't give you price information over the phone. The dealer will tell you, "Since this is a brand new piano we cannot say online or over the telephone. It's not because we don't like you, but rather because almost every manufacturer in the industry forbids the practice". They expect you to come into the store and hear a sales pitch before prices are given. The truth is they know that if they give you a price over the phone, other stores will always undercut it.
Keep in mind that price guides, are just that, GUIDES! They should never be taken as gospel!
None of the published price guides profess to provide anything more than a general reflection of marketplace conditions compiled just prior to publication. The more sources you consult, the more informed your buying or selling decisions will be. It's really as simple as that! Just keep in mind that these are only guides, and that there really is no substitute for experience. There is wisdom in a multitude of council.
Copyright © 2010 Bluebook of Pianos All Rights Reserved
