Rating of the best piano manufacturers for 2022

For many years, the piano has been filling concert halls, private houses and apartments with its beauty and harmony. At the turn of the century, he was in every palace, manor and apartment, even among middle-class people. In the middle of the last century, a period of enthusiasm for electronic instruments began.

Today there is a return to the former great tradition. Acoustic devices reappear in houses and halls. Pianos were, are and will be an indicator of prestige, social status and, above all, the cultural and artistic aspirations of their owners.

In the article, we will talk about the best piano manufacturers for 2022.

A bit of history

The piano is a musical instrument with a very long history of development. Back in the 15th century, these first keyboards, known as the harpsichord or clavichord, were developed. The history of the piano dates back to 1709. At that time, Bartolomeo Cristofori, who lived in Padua, following the wishes and suggestions of the French composer Couperin, created an instrument in which hammers struck the strings with a force depending on the force with which the keys were pressed.

This innovative solution allowed the musicians to change the volume of the sound they made. The absence of this feature was previously a disadvantage of musical devices that can be seen as the ancestors of the pianoforte (organs, harpsichords). The sounds extracted from the plucked strings had the same intensity each time, and as a result, the music had a uniform and monotonous sound. Thanks to the hammers used by the Italian designer to strike the strings, more pronounced sounds and bright, loud, emotional music could be obtained.

Name history

This instrument was not immediately called the "piano", it was originally given the name "Hammerklavier", which literally meant stringed keyboard or hammer. The reflection of this characteristic feature was recreated in its later name, because the word "piano" comes from two Italian words "forte" and "piano", which means "loud" and "quiet" in translation.

Since the creation of the first piano over many decades, more and more labels have been created around the world. The greatest period of glory for piano makers came in the 19th century.

Piano use and care

The piano is very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.Complex mechanisms made of wood and metal elements connected together, felt and many other materials. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity that affect the grand piano cause the whole structure to "work", which negatively affects the accuracy of its work. If these fluctuations are significant, this can lead to detuning of the device and even to its irreversible damage. For this reason, it is necessary to control the temperature and humidity of the air in the room where the piano is located. The optimal conditions for a piano are a constant temperature of about 20 degrees and a humidity in the range of 45-70%.

During the heating period, when the outside temperature is low, the indoor humidity sometimes drops well below the acceptable limit. To counteract this, the use of a moisturizer is recommended. To avoid further temperature fluctuations, do not place the piano near windows, front doors, radiators, or fireplaces.

The next important thing is to protect from exposure to direct sunlight. Their surface is sensitive to the sun. Prolonged intense sunlight may cause fading or discoloration resulting in surface damage. The risk of damage is also related to the fact that a piano (especially a black one) exposed to intense sunlight quickly heats up to relatively high temperatures.

When choosing a place where the piano should stand, it is necessary to take into account the location of the windows in the room. It can also be protected from the sun with a cover or by simply covering it with a sheet.

Use a soft, dry cloth or a slightly damp leather cloth to clean the surface. The keyboard should be wiped with a slightly damp cloth, being careful not to get water between the keys.

For a piano to function properly, it needs to be tuned systematically. Standard tuning should be carried out every six months.

When it is necessary to transport from one place to another, it is worth looking for a specialized transport company. This is important due to the fact that such items are valuable, as well as due to their large weight and size, they are easily damaged if not properly transported. If people who know how to secure a piano and have special transport equipment deal with it, your musical instrument will be safe.

Popular manufacturers and global brands

Currently the best manufacturers in the world are: Steinway and Sons, Ignaz Bosendorfer, Carl Bechstein, Bluthner, Paolo Fazioli, Yamaha, Kawai and others.

• The Royal Piano Workshops of K. Bechstein.

Since 1853 it has been honored by the most prestigious concert halls in the world. The best of the best, the elite among the elite, the perfect concert pianos. Masterpieces of piano art that no other brand can match.

"Piano music should only be written for C. Bechstein..." - Claude Debussy

W. Hoffmann professional pianos are at the forefront of European instruments.

An excellent mechanism, reliable performance, noble sound and the use of a "duplex" scale are the qualities that make the W. Hoffmann piano unsurpassedly superior to other European and Japanese brands.

Manufacturer: C. Bechstein, Europe.

• Petrof.

New models of Petrof pianos, completely rebuilt since 2000, are constantly gaining recognition among pianists. They surprise with a great, warm sound and a timeless body silhouette.

• Sauter.

Excellent pianos with warm, romantic sound and fantastic action. The Sauter piano is an excellent choice for art lovers in a broad sense. The Sauter piano attracts attention with a modern yet extremely harmonious body silhouette created by the best European stylists. The Sauter brand is the instruments of the 21st century, built in the oldest German factories.

• Schulze Pollmann.

Great Italian pianos.

• Italian grand pianos Schulze Pollmann.

Made from high mountain spruce wood from the same regions from which the Stradivarius wood was extracted for the production of their wonderful violins. Each Schulze Pollmann piano has an individual Ciresa val di Fiemme certificate confirming the authenticity of the origin of the wood. Like the Stradivarius violin, the Schulze Pollmann piano is also distinguished by its excellent sound.

• Kingsburg - American sound at an attractive price

Kingsburg pianos are high quality learning instruments at sensational prices. Kingsburg pianos are made from traditional materials with no plastic parts. They offer very good workmanship and a full, warm sound.

• Gary Pons - the highest level of luxury.

Unique and unique, Gary Pons pianos combine tradition and innovation. The exclusive Plexart collection is a unique design and subtle charm of French elegance.

• Yamaha is a piano for every budget.

Yamaha does not specialize exclusively in the production of pianos - a wide offer of this corporation includes, among other things: motorcycles, audio equipment, studio equipment, guitars, wind and percussion instruments, violin, keyboards. Yamaha musical instruments are manufactured in Japan, Indonesia and a factory in China.

• Kawai is a piano for everyone.

Kawaii is one of the precursors to the use of plastic elements in piano mechanisms. The use of ABS plastic has significantly reduced manufacturing costs and therefore cost.

Relatively low price and intense marketing activity has allowed Kawai to become the second most popular among Asian manufacturers.

Buying Tips

First of all, the tool should be pleasant. This is the first criterion.

As a rule, for smaller rooms, it is better to choose lower pianos 105 - 110 cm. If the room is more than 20 m2, such a piano will look like a bedside table, and it is better to buy a larger piano 120 - 130 cm in height. As a rule, taller pianos have a more powerful and full sound and can be too loud in a small room. It is very important to match the style and color of the body of the musical instrument to the interior.

About design

The most critical and basic thing about a piano is its construction, which must be stable enough to withstand a string tension load of up to 24 tons. To withstand such loads, the tool must have an all-metal frame.

The next important element of the piano is the mechanism that is responsible for transmitting the movement of the finger and, therefore, the key from the hammer striking the string. There are two types of piano mechanisms available on the market. An older type mechanism, high-tech and more modern, which is also used in instruments produced from 1910 to the present, the so-called dolnotłumikowy.

The difference between the two is that the damper, which is responsible for attenuating the sound after impact, is located above the hammers in the high damper mechanism.In a modern low fader mechanism, the faders themselves are placed under the hammers, closer to the center of the string, making string damping capabilities much better. It's easy to know. The type of mechanism is easily recognizable and should be done as follows. If you are facing the piano, open the top cover and look down. If all the hammers are visible directly below us, this means that we are dealing with a newer type of mechanism - the lower damper. However, if you look at the mechanism from above, we see a flat wooden strip with a whole mechanism at the bottom.

Elements of mechanics

The next element that determines the functionality of the piano are strings, soundboards and pins. They are responsible for the quality of the extracted sound, its volume and timbre. The adjusting pins on which the thread is wound must be firmly set on the tuning board so that they can hold the thread in a fixed position, which is pulled with a force of about 100 kg. Reed pins are directly responsible for the stability of the gear, because even a 0.001 mm change in position will cause the instrument to be out of tune. Therefore, the pegs must be very tightly set so that they do not dangle during the game.

The soundboard (in the piano directly responsible for the strength and timbre of the sound) is an element made of the highest quality pine. Very often in tools that have been used in very dry rooms, this element cracks. The cracks themselves are not a big tragedy. However, if the disk has traces of separation from the ribs or body, then it will not do without repair. Otherwise, very original and unpredictable sounds will come out of the instrument. Well, if the soundboards are not completely flat, but slightly raised to the strings, this helps to get a good stable sound.Of course, cracks and all breaks can be repaired, but this will definitely increase the cost of repairs.

The quality of the strings and their current condition also affect the quality of the sound. There are two types of strings in the piano. High-frequency steel wire strings of various diameters and bass strings, which are additionally tightly wrapped with copper wire to increase their weight. A heavier string vibrates more slowly when struck, giving a lower sound. The lower the sound, the thicker the string. Many pianos, due to poor storage, have corroded, rusty strings that leave a lot to be desired. Especially in bass strings, corrosion occurs between the steel wire and the copper winding, causing it to become dull or hum. You should also pay attention to the technical condition of this element, since replacing the rowset is another important expense.

The mechanics of the piano, which looks like an old steam locomotive, is a complex system of various levers, knobs, axles, pushrods, screws, bands and reeds, but it works very simply. It consists of many elements, their accuracy and current technical condition affect the quality and comfort of the game. The accuracy and quality of the movement depends on a number of metal-leather compounds.

The keys of a piano or grand piano are easy to see, unlike the internal mechanisms and elements of the instrument. White keys in older instruments are made of ivory, in instruments of the new generation they are made of plastic. Black - made of ebony, or plastic.Ivory keys are generally more pleasant to play because they absorb the sweat associated with more intense playing and keep your fingers from sliding around the keyboard. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find an instrument in which such a keyboard is in good condition. It is possible to reconstruct a keyboard, a job that is extremely laborious as it requires finding and selecting the correct elements that vary in size, thickness, color, texture, tint and degree of wear. In addition to the aesthetic appearance of the keys, the precision of their movement is important. The keys should move up and down, be at the same level and dive to the same depth.

The cashmere stickers on the keys are also important, as they stabilize them from side to side. When choosing an instrument, you should pay attention to how the keys knock during the game. If the sound is loud, then they require replacement of the felt pads that are under the keys.

Hammers and their condition, as well as the quality of the felt from which they are made, are an important element in the mechanics of a musical instrument. Hammers strike the strings with great force and after many years of use they wear out, which manifests itself in the appearance of depressions and flattening, which definitely degrades the quality of the sound produced.

musical value

The length of the first bass string is important. A concert grand piano with a length of 280 cm is ideal.

What gives us a larger tool size?

Definitely better dynamics, that is, it is easier to produce a strong fortissimo, as well as the most gentle pianissimo. And, of course, the timbre of the sound and the sound time.In addition, the mechanism has longer levers, making it more accurate in tuning (only applies to pianos because all modern pianos have similarly designed mechanisms).

The best piano manufacturers

Sam Martin GP-158B

The country of origin is China.

Price - 690,000 rubles.

An acoustic, concert grand piano will be a good purchase for people who love and appreciate high-quality sound and playing the instrument.

• appearance;
• quality strings made in Japan by Mitsubishi;
• pegs made of durable steel;
• installed German hammers FFW;
• covering the keys with mahogany veneer, in combination with MDF;
• tool frame made of aluminum alloy;
• maple stem;
• spruce soundboard;
• three pedals ("Piano", "Moderato", "Ped");
• the keyboard of the instrument is highly accurate;
• the distance between the keys is minimal;
• the keys are covered with an antimicrobial coating, made of high quality wood.

• no.

Becker CBGP-168PW

The country of origin is China.

Price - 854 905 rubles.

White, luxurious grand piano of the famous company Becker. The sound is rich and deep, you just fall in love with it from the first sound.

Musical instruments of this brand are created and continue to be created according to the principles and traditions of Europe. All of their instruments are tested for compliance with the requirements and standards of a comprehensive German evaluation system.

It is thanks to this that the sound coming from the grand pianos of this company is accurate and deep, this is the key to a natural and balanced sound of keyboard instruments.

Each element and detail of the musical instruments of this brand makes a significant contribution to the sound.The timbre of grand pianos is colorful and saturated due to the fact that high-quality parts and materials are used in their production, the mechanism is carefully tuned and regulated.

Pianos are tuned by experienced craftsmen, professionals in their field.

For grand pianos of this brand, the soundboard is made from high-quality spruce varieties. This wood is aged for more than 7 years before being used for manufacturing.

Becker brand grand pianos are equipped with a one-piece iron frame, which is covered with a matte gold color. The frame is made using vacuum casting technology, which ensures strength, stability and smoothness.

The keyboard of the keyboards is made of multi-layered wood, which undergoes heat treatment. The keys are matte and treated with a special solution, thanks to which there is no slip.

Virbels of these grand pianos are made according to modern European technology. Their special design ensures precise spacing and tension, resulting in rich and bright timbre and grand piano sound.

• appearance;
• in the complete set a cover and a microfiber cloth for delicate care;
• there is a banquette;
• snow-white color, polishing;
• the deck is made of selected grades of spruce;
• maple stem;
• the hammers are covered with soft felt from the German company Filzfabrik Wurzen;
• the core of the malleus is solid;
• maple mechanics combined with felt;
• the strings have a copper winding, which is applied by hand;
• the cover has a built-in hydraulic system, smooth running;
• the cover is safe and durable, very convenient;
• the lower layer of the outer surface of melamine polyester;
• smooth finish;

• great weight.

Pearl River BGP160A A111

The country of origin is China.

Price - 735,430 rubles.

Polished, large and very beautiful piano in black, the popular company Pearl River. The grand pianos of this popular brand are distinguished by their excellent sound, high quality materials. The tools of this manufacturer are distinguished by a long service life and reasonable prices for such a product.

For the production of grand pianos, the manufacturer uses high-quality maple wood, which undergoes a hardening process. Together with high-quality elements of mechanics, a wonderful musical instrument is recreated.

For the manufacture of the soundboard for the grand piano, selected wood is used, which achieves a balanced sound, deep and rich.

For strings, the manufacturer uses a copper winding, the strings are strong, able to withstand tension. The body of the piano is made in classic black color, the surface is perfectly polished.

Pearl River works tirelessly to improve the quality of its certified products. For many years he has been closely collaborating with German grand piano designer Lothar Thomma.

• deck is made of high quality wood;
• hammers and Renner mechanism;
• premium tool;
• There is an output for connecting headphones.

• no keyboard cover
• Keys are not backlit.

TOYO HAMAMATSU NA148

The country of origin is Japan.

Price - 825,000 rubles.

The grand piano is executed in classical style in smart and rich black color. For the manufacture of high-quality spruce wood was used, the keyboard is accurate, the distance between the keys is minimal, covered with an antimicrobial agent.Such a musical instrument will not leave anyone indifferent, neither true music lovers nor professionals.

The company has a lot of experience and knows the secrets to making the piano sound flawless. He uses high-quality wood and components for his appliances. Futor, spritzes and decks are made from solid pine.

• appearance;
• the frame is one-piece, cast iron;
• beech virbelbank;
• pins are made of steel and nickel-plated;
• the keyboard is full-size, original;
• the goods are certified;
• built-in three pedals;
• sound accuracy;
• timbre and loudness.

• no.

Weber Professional Grand W150

The country of origin is China.

Price - 784,000 rubles.

This model of the Weber brand grand piano is compact, its length is 150 cm. Thanks to its compact dimensions, it will easily become a decoration for a small living room. Despite the parameters, the sound of the piano is rich and full, listeners will certainly enjoy the music.

For manufacturing, the manufacturer uses high-quality materials and the latest equipment. Deca and ripki are made from spruce wood grown in the harsh northern regions. Mechanical elements are distinguished by accuracy, long service life.

For the keys, the manufacturer uses tree species that have high elasticity, the musician only needs to lightly touch the keyboard, and the piano will make an amazing sound.

For the manufacture of hammers, maple, walnut or mahogany wood is used. After all, they are covered with high-quality and soft felt. All this technology provides not only impeccable sound, but also an instant response to the touch of the musician's fingers.

Such grand pianos do not require constant tuning due to maple wood, which has a high degree of rigidity. The frame is solid cast iron.

• price-quality ratio;
• fits perfectly into the interior;
• elegant appearance;
• there are three pedals;
• the frame is made by vacuum casting of cast iron, durable, reliable;
• virbelbank is made of 17 layer maple board;
• the hammers are covered with felt;
• SoftGlide system.

• no.

Bechstein Academy A 160

The country of origin is Germany.

Price - 3,009,900 rubles.

Such a piano will fulfill any desires of the musician. Its difference is in the harmonious sound, which is saturated with overtones. The mechanism is precise, the elements are of high quality and reliable.

The piano belongs to the premium class, has a well-functioning acoustic and playing mechanism. Soundboard made of finely layered mountain spruce. Body made of quality beech, pine or mountain spruce wood.

• gorgeous view;
• German quality;
• white glossy color;
• accurate and loud sound;
• shtegi from a forest beech;
• wirbelstock - from hardwood;
• the keys are strong and durable;
• the mechanics are complex, high-quality elements;
• corporate development;
• quality certificate;
• individual intonation of the timbre;
• clear, transparent, rich tone sound.
• sophisticated coating technology with a mirror finish.

• high price.

Kawai EX

Brand: Kawai, Japan.

Price - 5,990,000 rubles.

This is a real handsome man, a large and perfect piano. Suitable for large concerts that are held in huge halls. Japanese masters worked on its production, checked the accuracy of sound, the quality of materials and elements.He certainly deserves attention, made in a modern style, at the same time serious, inimitable, he is out of competition. Their number is limited, the company produces no more than 12 copies per year. This piano is a legend, its weight is 500 kg, it is possible to move it using brass rollers. He is the dream of many musicians, and to possess him is a real happiness.

• impeccable German quality;
• quality materials;
• exclusive assembly;
• deck of good wood;
• corporate development;
• durable keys;
• long service life;
• certificate of quality and conformity;
• The sound is clear, transparent, rich.

• high quality.

Conclusion

A moment of rest and relaxation is often associated with the world's most recognizable classical instrument, the piano. People need music in moments of joy and sadness, a piano from leading manufacturers will allow you to enjoy and get real pleasure.