🎹 The Most Overrated Piano Models (Brands) of All Time 🎹

Summary

In this video, Stu Harrison dives into the topic of overrated pianos, discussing four categories of instruments that failed to meet expectations. He highlights the shortcomings of American-made pianos from the mid-20th century, baby grand models from high-end brands, Eastern European pianos from the 1980s and 90s, and full-size upright pianos from lesser-known makers. While acknowledging that personal preference plays a role, Harrison shares his honest opinions on these pianos, emphasizing issues like poor craftsmanship, weak tone, and inconsistent performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Overrated pianos are those that fail to meet the expectations set by their brand, price, or country of origin.
• 😀 The brand of a piano can sometimes mislead expectations, with recognizable names not always guaranteeing quality.
• 😀 American-made grand pianos from the post-WWII era often underperform due to lost craftsmanship and the competition from Japanese manufacturers.
• 😀 Many post-WWII American pianos, even from top brands, suffer from poor tone, unstable tuning, and cheap parts, especially in the mid-range models.
• 😀 Baby grand pianos from high-end brands, such as Steinway, often struggle to perform at the expected level due to physical limitations in their smaller size.
• 😀 High-end brands' baby grand pianos are often overpriced and may not justify the price tag, especially those in the 5ft range costing over $100,000.
• 😀 Eastern European pianos from the 1980s and 90s, especially from the Soviet era, fail to live up to their romanticized European craftsmanship and often perform worse than entry-level Chinese pianos.
• 😀 Full-size 52-54in upright pianos from non-premium manufacturers are often disappointing, with a focus on loudness rather than musical nuance and control.
• 😀 Some top-tier upright pianos, such as the C. Bechstein Concert 8 and Bösendorfer, manage to deliver exceptional performance despite their larger size.
• 😀 A well-crafted 47-49in upright piano is often a better option than a 52in model, as it tends to offer more predictable and balanced tonal and dynamic control.
• 😀 The personal and subjective nature of piano preferences means opinions on overrated pianos can vary greatly, but these experiences highlight a common disappointment with certain models and categories.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'overrated' pianos in the video?

The term 'overrated' refers to pianos that create high expectations due to factors like brand, price, or country of origin, but fail to deliver on those promises in terms of performance and quality.

What role does brand play in determining whether a piano is overrated?

The brand can set high expectations for a piano, but sometimes the reality of its performance doesn't match those expectations. Famous brands, especially when they have historical significance, can create a perception that a piano will be exceptional, but not all models live up to the hype.

How did the American piano industry change post-World War II?

After World War II, there was a boom in the American piano industry, but many companies lost their craftsmanship from earlier years due to financial struggles, market consolidation, and the rise of foreign competitors. As a result, many American-made pianos from this period were of lower quality.

Why does the speaker criticize American-made pianos from the second half of the 20th century?

The speaker criticizes these pianos because many lacked tuning stability, precision, and nuance, and had poor tonal quality. The craftsmanship that once peaked in the 1920s had been lost by the time these pianos were produced.

What challenges do top-end brands face when making baby grand pianos?

The challenge lies in the physics of designing a smaller piano that can still perform at the high standards of larger pianos. The smaller size limits the ability to achieve nuanced tonal quality, making it difficult to match the performance of larger grands.

Why is the Steinway Model S often mentioned as an example of a disappointing baby grand?

The Steinway Model S, although a high-end product, is often seen as underwhelming because it doesn't meet the performance expectations one would have for a Steinway piano, especially considering its smaller size and the compromises that come with it.

What is the issue with Eastern European pianos from the 1980s and 1990s?

The issue with these pianos is that their craftsmanship and quality don't live up to the romanticized European reputation. Many of them had poor build quality, unreliable action, and lacked the tonal sparkle expected from handmade European instruments.

What is the speaker's opinion on full-size upright pianos (52-54 inches)?

The speaker believes that full-size uprights from non-top-tier brands are often overrated, as they tend to be loud but difficult to control. The balance between power and subtlety is hard to achieve in these larger uprights unless made by premium manufacturers.

Why are smaller uprights (47-49 inches) recommended over full-size ones?

Smaller uprights are considered better for their predictable and balanced playing experience. The speaker suggests that these instruments provide more control and musical nuance compared to the larger, louder 52-54 inch uprights.

How does the speaker suggest viewers approach choosing a premium upright piano?

For those looking for a premium upright, the speaker recommends focusing on high-quality 47-49 inch pianos from well-regarded manufacturers, rather than larger, more expensive models that might lack the necessary control and tonal variety.