Is Bigger Better?

[Joseph Garrett]

"Farrell",
I'd suggest that you have the teacher make the rounds of Piano Stores. Have
her try them ALL. Have her take notes as to the positive aspects of each
piano. Then compile the notes and you try them. Once you hear/feel the
positives of the ones she likes, then you can get an idea as to what she
really is looking for in her "Ideal" piano. I know this sounds like a lot of
work, but it's the best process for finding out the teachers preferences.
Regards,
Joe Garrett
----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2001 4:53 AM
Subject: Is Bigger Better?


> I am trying to provide some piano purchase guidance to my son's piano
> teacher. She wishes to find an old salvage grand of high quality for
> complete rebuilding (she wants a piano that is as good as or better than
> new, but does not cost as much) - ideally, a Steinway, Mason & Hamlin,
> Bechstein, etc. She is looking for the piano of her dreams - one that she
> will play for the rest of her life - or there abouts. Now I know (or think
I
> know) that in general, within a particular piano quality/type range,
bigger
> is better.
>
> This piano will be used in a small home studio (a small living room -
about
> 12' x 20' - no concert halls there). I know of some people that prefer a
> smaller piano in their home - I remember Randy Potter told me that he
traded
> his Steinway B in for a model M because the B was too big for his home -
or
> he preferred the M for some reason (the way is sounded or played - and not
> just becuase of the furniture thing). A couple pianos she is considering
> buying is an old 1920 M&H model A (5' 8") and a 1900 Bechstein (5' 11").
> Both pianos are perfect for complete rebuilding because they have bad
> boards, etc., but from a salvage perspective are in good original
condition.
> But she could find a bigger Bechstein, a bigger M&H, or a Steinway A III
or
> B. I also know it does not cost significantly more to rebuild a 7-foot
piano
> than it does a 5' 8" piano.
>
> So there is the question. I don't play piano, so I don't have very good
> direct input/thoughts on the subject. Is bigger necessarily better
(similar
> pianos otherwise), i.e. is a M&H BB a lot nicer piano than a model A for a
> home studio use? She is a good player and continuing to take lessons - her
> desire is to obtain a piano that sounds good and has an action, etc. that
> will not limit her (and her student's) playing development.
>
> Any thoughts?
>