Steinway Piano Comparison Shopping

The most important component of shopping for a restored Steinway grand piano is the quality of the instrument. The use of the best parts, and the best technicians is essential. There are several piano restoration shops that are capable of this in the New York area. Then you must consider the musicality of the instrument.

A piano can be perfectly put together; the action evenly regulated using Hamburg Steinway Parts, and still not be musically appealing. To allow the pianist to be creative the piano must have a range of dynamics and colors which the fine pianist can access effortlessly.  This takes time, knowledge of music, knowledge of pianistic technique, and cooperation over years with concert artists who can define what they want from a piano. This is what separates a good Steinway restoration from a concert quality restoration.  This is what we strive for at Craftsman Piano Co. There are very few other companies that have the knowledge and desire to restore pianos at this level.

For the purpose of this article I have made a chart that compares the prices of new Steinway Pianos, with the prices of the restored Steinways of our two finest competitors, with the prices of the restored pianos at Craftsman Piano Co.

I invite you to come to our new location at 453 White Plains Rd, Eastchester, NY 10709 and sample our pianos. I also invite you to our concert series.  Friday night jazz, and Saturday night classical which are produced in conjunction with Crestwood Music Education Center.

Download the chart here.

Piano Care: How to Clean Piano Keys

Soap and water on a slightly damp sponge or soft cloth works great on cleaning piano keys. You can use a mild dish-washing liquid for the soap, diluted with water.  Just don't use so much liquid that you will get moisture into the keyboard. Wipe the sponge or cloth towards you and not side to side. Clean one octave at a time and dry before moving on to the next octave.

Avoid colored cloths that may bleed and transfer color onto the white keys.

Real ivory isn't used on pianos anymore but if you are lucky enough to have a piano with ivory keys you can follow the advice above and just make sure to wipe off the excessive moisture after you clean the keys. Ivory can warp if it remains wet for too long.

How can you tell if the keys are ivory or plastic? Real ivory keytops are in two pieces. If the keytop is one piece, it is plastic.

During cold and flu season you might want to disinfect your piano keys. Don't use Lysol or similar disinfectants on your piano keys. Instead, clean them with a solution of 3 parts filtered water to 1 part white vinegar using the general cleaning tips above.

If your piano keys are severely stained or yellowed, contact a professional.

2012 YoHoExhibition and Piano Concert in Yonkers, NY

A good time was had by all when David Harewood, a soon to be famous jazz pianist performed at the YoHoArtist Exhibition at 578 Nepperhan Ave. Yonkers, NY.

He played many of his own compositions to lots of applause and appreciation. The concert was sponsored by Craftsman Piano who also provided the Steinway Vintage model B semi concert grand piano.

Piano Tips to Maintain the Life and Quality of Your Piano

Never place your piano near or against a heat source (radiator) or ceiling vent. Maintaining the humidity and keeping the temperature of the home at a constant and moderate level will help keep the piano in tune and in good overall shape. Ideally the piano should not be placed on an outside wall or near a window or door to avoid drafts. If you have no other choice than to place your piano on an outside wall, place it at least 6" away from the wall.

Selecting a Piano for Your Home

Some people purchase a piano to enhance the decor of their home much like purchasing an elegant piece of furniture. A piano can make a home come alive with it's beauty and be the true focus of the room. You may prefer a certain color such as ebony, mahogany, rosewood, teak, cherry, walnut or white. You may also like a high polish, french polish, satin or stain luster finish depending upon your taste. But the single most important factor in selecting your piano is the size of the room where the piano will be placed. The larger the piano, the better it will sound. If you have the room for a grand piano you will be very pleased with the overall sound.



Imagine if you can obtain the piano of your dreams...We can help make that dream come true. Craftsman Piano is part of a nationwide network of piano retailers and wholesalers. Whatever type or style of piano that you desire we can help you locate it.

1886 Rosewood Steinway D Concert Grand Piano in Craftsman Piano Showroom...

Prelude #2 by George Gershwin performed on a Steinway D from 1886. This Rosewood Steinway D is hands down gorgeous. It is one of the most beautiful pianos I have seen in over thirty years in the piano business featuring Victorian flower pot legs, ivory keys, and a cut out rack. It has a hand rubbed satin finish which restores the piano to it's original glory.

The piano is also a fabulous Steinway concert grand. It has been restored with a beautiful sitka spruce soundboard, Hamburg Steinway hammers and shanks, Renner wippens, Arledge Bass strings. In other words no expense has been spared in the restoration if this piano. The touch is even and fast. The tone rivals any Steinway D anywhere. At this level of piano restoration the best is a matter of opinion. That being said, this piano is up there with the best of the best.

Emmanuel Ax used this piano in a concert on Oct.15 to benefit Project Literacy US.


You can view more photos here.

Please note that when we originally shot this video the retail price of the piano was $120,000. The retail price is now $125,000 but our wholesale price is $105,000.

Joseph Hanerfeld

Craftsman Piano

Yonkers, New York

www.craftsmanpiano.net

The Value of Refurbishing A Grand Piano

We are often asked if it is wise to fix an old piano or just buy a new one. With a grand piano it is almost always wiser to restore, refinish or refurbish your existing one.

Older pianos, specifically the ones built in the late part of the 19th century are some of the highest quality pianos ever built. If you happen to have one of those beauties sitting in your living room, it would be a shame to do anything but restore it. Today you will not be able to find any piano for sale that will match the quality and design of these older pianos.

Majority of the older pianos were built from the finest woods of their time, but they were also constructed entirely by hand. These qualities allow older pianos to be superior to newer pianos in terms of how they were built and how long they will last. This should come as no surprise as things today, pianos included, are often manufactured in other countries in mass quantities in some kind of manufacturing plant, all in terms of lowering the prices. Restoring an older piano increases the lifespan; it can then be passed on for generations!