does anyone know Wilh Steinberg pianos? I have already asked this question and looked at the website of the German company that produces them, and they are quite respectable, practically handmade one by one. I recently tried a beautiful one in Berlin and I am going to the factory in Germany to see if I am making the right choice.
I have browsed English-language forums for a bit and heard conflicting opinions; some find them excellent, others too "loud," although I don't know what it means for a piano to be "too loud" .... Unfortunately, there are no dealers in Italy. But I discovered that in Italy there is generally very little choice of pianos.
maybe pianoexpert has had the chance to encounter one....
thanks and compliments for the site and for the tutorials
I believe it is a company derived from Geyer, which has produced pianos since the late 1800s, about whose quality I do not have specific news. I happened to come across 3 or 4 Steinbergs from the '20s that I found decent, but nothing more; among other things, they all had significant cracking in the soundboard. And speaking of the soundboard, I read on a translated page regarding current production that once the ribs are glued, the soundboards are left to rest for two or three weeks before being mounted on the piano frame: to have a point of comparison with a high-quality piano, consider that Fazioli's are left to season for 3 years. In conclusion, in my opinion, it is a matter of price: if you like the piano very much and the price is competitive compared to a good piano available on the Italian market, okay; otherwise, with a bit of patience and, possibly, with the help of an expert, I would advise you to look "close to home." Consider that, with the current economic crisis, for 4-5 thousand euros you can buy a fine used piano, even from prestigious brands. Best wishes
thanks Barbarossa for your response. perhaps they improved it since the 20s. I will go to the factory to see. and I will keep in mind your considerations regarding the soundboard. of course the comparison with Fazioli is a bit pushed. here we are talking about an upright, not a grand... but I will look into it.
the alternative would be a Bechstein Academy, more or less the same price. or a C. Bechstein classic 124 much more expensive. near home so far I have found little. very used but quite dated.
I believe I tried them at the Frankfurt fair. I remember a very good impression. You are surely researching this House more deeply and will tell us much more. Of course, speaking of Bechstein uprights... my eyes light up!!!!! But it depends on the price. Keep in mind that Seiler and Schimmel are also very good uprights, the true prince, possibly tall models. Let us know about your experience at Fabbrica Steinberg.
Of course, speaking of a Bechstein upright... my eyes light up!!!!!
Why does your gaze light up when speaking of a Bechstein upright, Pianoexpert? From what I've heard, I know that Bechsteins are excellent pianos, but beyond that, I don't know anything else. If I were to consider getting one, could you please talk about its merits (and if there happen to be any defects), and could you please tell us how much a good new Bechstein upright costs?
The Bechstein upright is certainly a prince. The same goes for the Blüthner upright and the Steinway upright. Immediately after, I would place Schimmel and Ibach.
Bechstein has always had the merit of refinement in craftsmanship and finishing. In substance as well, naturally. It is a brand that has made history and between the two wars, but also today, we have excellent instruments, provided they are well maintained. Naturally, modern manufacturing has progressed in technology, even if some prerogatives have changed. Today, the sound of a Bechstein is not that of an early twentieth-century instrument. It was defined as the instrument with the romantic and soft sound par excellence and was coveted by those pianists who sought in the piano the expressiveness of "half-tones" (mezzas tinte). I do not have the price. And I would not want to deal with the commercial aspect, which is up to the seller. But it is naturally high. I would take it into consideration. If you were to find an older upright... it would be very interesting to see it. Compliments and good luck.
The Bechstein upright is certainly a prince. The same goes for the Blüthner upright and the Steinway upright. Immediately after, I would place Schimmel and Ibach.
Bechstein has always had the merit of refinement in craftsmanship and finishing. In substance as well, naturally. It is a brand that has made history and between the two wars, but also today, we have excellent instruments, provided they are well maintained. Naturally, modern manufacturing has progressed in technology, even if some prerogatives have changed. Today, the sound of a Bechstein is not that of an early twentieth-century instrument. It was defined as the instrument with the romantic and soft sound par excellence and was coveted by those pianists who sought in the piano the expressiveness of "half-tones" (mezze tinte). I do not have the price at hand. And I would not want to deal with the commercial aspect, which is up to the seller. But it is naturally high. I would take it into consideration. If you were to find an old upright later on... it would be very interesting to see it. Compliments and good luck.
Thank you Pianoexpert for the detailed description.
I'm back after having visited the Steinberg factory in Thuringia. I saw how they make the IQ series pianos (there are 3 series, the IQ is the highest they produce for uprights). They are all made in Germany. They are handmade one by one with Renner mechanics... unfortunately production has decreased (600 pianos compared to the 3000 before reunification with West Germany) also due to competition from Asians... I tried 3 pianos that they made available to me with a different tuning. They are very beautiful. I would say they can compete with the Bechstein Academy series.. certainly not with the C. Bechstein which, I agree, as mentioned above, are in my opinion excellent. I know Blüthner and Grotrian are even better but the costs rise excessively and so I pretend they don't exist...
now I have to choose. unfortunately I always have the C. Bechstein 124 in my heart and I don't know what I will do. It costs decidedly more. Moreover, Steinberg is making me a great offer for the 128, very, very tempting...
it's a pity that they are unknown in Italy.
for anyone interested, a Bechstein Academy A1 (polished black), made in Germany, costs 12000 euros. the cost changes according to the finish desired. black is the cheapest one.
A C. Bechstein 124 in black costs about 17000 euros. then it goes down gradually as the height decreases.
The Bechstein series is the most "economical" one, compared to the more prestigious and expensive C. Bechstein. and also better. the sound is beautiful but not only that, also the touch and the response of the instrument to the pianist's touch. the instrument does exactly what the pianist wants to do. like with the Steinway, in fact here we are at the top of the top....an apotheosis, even in terms of costs, sigh.
i know Schimmel is also excellent, it's just that I can't seem to find it. I also wrote to the company but they haven't replied to me.
