The Better One: Stienway or Yamaha?
History
The Yamaha Corporation has been going for about 110 years. The founder, Torakusu Yamaha, started liking making instruments when he was told to fix a neighbor’s organ. He soon developed Nippon Gaku Ltd., which made organs. It expanded to Pianos, Harmonicas, then to motorcycles, etc.
Price
Yamahas have a wide range of price. Small, upright, 44†ones may cost about $3,400, while large, grand, and 50†C and S series ones are $12,000. Most of them are about $6,500.
Sound Quality
The tone of sound is moderate. It is soft, and very responsive, so that even if you touch it softly, it will make a nice sound. Unfortunately, Grand pianos might sound “brittleâ€.
Types
There are many different kinds of pianos, with electric, acoustic, upright, and grand. New kinds allow you to record yourself, and play with yourself. You can also play with a CD. Their technology and time put into the pianos is great.
Durability
Unfortunately, Yamahas’ durability is not so good. The wood that they use is naturally hard and not of top perfection, so a 50 year old Yamaha is not so healthy.
Overall:
On a good tone, it is a pretty good piano, and many people use them. On a harder tone, it is quite less than its reputation.
SCORE: B-
Yamaha Dikslavier Grand
Yamaha P121NT Upright
Yamaha YPG535 Electric Keyboard
History
Steinway was founded by Henry Steinway in 1853, in New York. He already had made 482 pianos before starting the company, which let him make bigger, better ones.
Price
The Steinways are very expensive. Large and luxurious ones might even go up to $168,000!
The lowest average price would be about $19,500 for a 48†upright piano.
Sound Quality
Very deep and rich, and the pedal provides a great smoothing sound instead of ‘mushing’ sound, as the other pianos have. It is truly a great sounding piece of furniture.
Types
There are many types, electric, grand, upright, but also special edition ones from around the world, re-makes of historic ones, and other pianos that no other company has. Yet they all have the unique, full sound of the Steinway.
Durability
Steinway’s durability is very good. They may last up to a lifetime, maybe even two. This definitely compares to the Yamaha, with only about 30 years of beautiful melody.
Overall
Very nice sound, very nice looks, very nice durability. The Steinway is simply the best in pianos and people take pride in playing one. One thing: the price is a bit too high, though.
SCORE: A
“Aspen”
“Ellipse”
“Satin”
X-Ray Yuhua said,
July 24, 2008 @ 11:22 am
You are comparing Rolls Royce to Lexus.
If not considering the price, of course Steinway is much better and more prestige than Yamaha. But remeber, the “cheapest” Steinway may be more expensive than the “top-of-the-line” Yamaha.
And who can complain Lexus, the affordable luxury that many people can enjoy, instead of Rools Royce that few people can even see it?
So I think the score of “B-” for Yamaha is unfair, with Steinway as “A”. With the price factor, I’d think they are comparable, e.g. both are “A-”.