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Why buy from Fortuna Piano?
As a small shop, I am able to offer more personal service than the big stores. I will personally prep and tune your piano to a very high standard. As a musician, I make sure every piano I sell meets certain musical standards. If a piano doesn't meet these standards, I won't sell it. For example, I often decline free pianos that are offered to me, if they don't have enough musical potential.
What brands of new pianos does Fortuna Piano sell?
We are the Detroit area's exclusive dealer for Bohemia, a high quality European piano. We also offer Young Chang, a mid priced piano made in Korea. We offer Story & Clark, now made by Samick and available with player systems included. Finally, we offer Palatino, one of the best entry level Chinese pianos.
Here are links to all brands of new pianos we currently offer:
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What about used pianos?
I generally have restored vintage pianos available, including Steinway. Click the "Pianos for Sale" link on the left to see the current inventory.
What should I look for in a piano?
First and foremost, how does it sound to you? Everyone has a different idea of what a piano should sound like and feel like. There's something to be said for tuning out the sales pitch about why this feature or that makes the piano better. I rebuild pianos, but it is still a mystery to me why some pianos sound so much better than others. It has to do with, among other things, the selection of wood and the care and skill of the craftsmen.
What should I avoid when looking for a piano?
I steer people away from the big hype sales events and fake university sales. Colleges do not hold big piano sales! These are a front the big stores use to get you in the door. Most of the pianos are shipped from the store or warehouse, and will go back after the sale. Take your time, do your research and avoid high pressure tactics.
What size piano should I get?
For upright piano, I suggest avoiding the very short piano, called a spinet, around 36" tall. These have strings that are too short to sound great, especially in the bass. (Spinets are also harder to repair because the action is below the keyboard.) A 45 inch high console will sound much better. All things being equal, a full size (around 52" high) upright should sound the best.
In a grand, five and a half feet in length should sound good; a six or seven foot piano will be better, if you have the room and the budget.
Should I ask my teacher for a recommendation?
Yes, but I would ask if they are getting a commission! Piano stores routinely offer a "cut" to teachers and tuners who refer buyers to them. I consider this a conflict of interest and do not pay commissions, as a piano should stand on its own merit.
Also, if someone recommends a familiar brand name, be aware that many big name brands offer a wide range of quality. One well known brand offers new grands from $11 thousand to $120 thousand!
Is a piano a good investment?
That depends on what you mean by investment. Even a cheap new piano with mediocre sound may give you 50 to 100 years of use with proper care. I take this to be an argument for buying the best sounding piano you can afford. Some high end piano dealers will claim that pianos can increase in value. I think this is a poor and misleading argument for buying a piano. A piano should be bought because of it will give you a lifetime of enjoyment, and will not be worn out or obsolete in a few years like a new car or computer.
How much should a new piano cost?
An amazing array of prices are out there for the piano shopper. A new Chinese upright might go for less than $2000 on occasion, and a good European full size grand may go for six figures. To a great extent, you get what you pay for. However, it's good to know what a piano is really worth. I'm amazed how often clients tell me they got a really good deal, when in reality they paid near full retail price, or more! An independent retail price list, such as the Piano Book Annual Supplement by Larry Fine, is a valuable tool for finding out whether a price is a steal or a rip-off.
Is it safe to buy an older used piano?
It's always best to get a technician's opinion before buying, especially on an older or more expensive instrument. Even a cheap or free instrument may not be worth moving. For example, if a piano has not been tuned for years (or decades!) it should be tuned before you buy it. (No, moving it does not put it out of tune!) This way you will find out whether the strings are all going to break or the tuning pins slip. I've serviced too many $300 pianos that "just need tuning" supposedly, when in reality they need a $5000 rebuilding job.
Should I buy a grand or upright?
Generally, of course, the better pianos are grands. However, one is better off with a high quality upright than a really cheap grand. A large grand can have longer strings and a larger soundboard, resulting in a fuller sound, particularly in the bass. (Grands also have the capacity for a somewhat more responsive action with better repetition.) On the concert stage one normally sees grands that are 7 or 9 feet long. Some inexpensive baby grands are only half that size, about 4 1/2 feet long, and have shorter strings than a full size upright.
Should I avoid a brand of piano that I have never heard of?
Most people would assume that "Steinway" must be a better piano than "Steingraeber". In reality, the Steingraeber is the more expensive instrument. There are many small companies that make outstanding pianos that are rarely seen in the U.S. Many names that are familiar are actually out of business, but the name lives on. People like to buy a familiar name, so many old American piano names are now put on Asian pianos. (One local dealer sells Grinnell; it says "Detroit MI" on the fallboard and "Made in Korea" elsewhere.)
Which new piano brands are best (or worst)?
The list below includes nearly all brand of pianos available as new today. I try not to give my personal opinion, so much as explain what is made where and by whom. This should give some idea of the relative quality and value of various brands. (A list of used piano brands would be much longer; the Piano Atlas lists brands and serial numbers for 390 pages!)
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New Piano Brand Names
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Astin-Weight
High quality American piano company, made in Utah. Uprights have unique design with a larger than normal soundboard and correspondingly big sound. They offer hand-rubbed oil finishes.
Baldwin
A well known American name, they were recently bought by the Gibson Guitar company. Pianos are still American made. The D. H. Baldwin line are the least expensive American made piano today; Hamilton and Wurlitzer lines are made for Baldwin in China.
Bechstein
A high-end German made piano. "C Bechstein" are their top of the line; "Bechstein" without the "C" are less expensive (for a German piano).
Bluthner
A consistently high end German piano
Bohemia
A high quality piano made in the Czech Republic, making it a more affordable European Piano. The Bohemia company was recently bought by Bechstein.
Bosendorfer
Very high-end piano made in Austria. Recently purchase by Yamaha.
Boston
Made by Kawai, sold by Steinway dealers. A more affordable way to get the “Steinway” name
Brodmann
A high end Austrian piano. Their less expensive lines are assembled in China, but use many European parts.
Cable Nelson
Old American name that Yamaha recently started using on their entry level Chinese pianos
Calisia
Quality piano made in Poland, generally not sold in USA
Essex
Made by Young Chang or Pearl River, sold by Steinway dealers. An even more affordable way to get the “Steinway” name
Estonia
High quality, grand pianos only, made in Estonia; costs less than German pianos, like other East European pianos
Falcone, see Sejung
Fandrich
An American company that buys pianos from Asia or eastern Europe, then replaces strings, hammers, etc. with highest quality parts, as well as modifying the soundboard, action,etc. Very high quality piano for the money
Fazioli
Very high end Italian piano; it’s one of the most expensive piano in the world
Feurich
Another high quality German piano
Forster, August
Yet another high quality German piano
Grinnell
Old Detroit based piano company, now made in Korea by Samick
Grotrian
A high-end German company with historical ties to Steinway; called "Grotrian Steinweg" in Europe, Mr Steinweg moved to America and changed the name to Steinway.
Gulbransen, see Sejung
Hallet, Davis & Co
Former American piano company, used on entry level Chinese pianos
Hamilton, made in China for Baldwin
Hardman & Peck
Another American name now used on Chinese pianos
Heintzman
Good quality Canadian piano; now made in China but still 90% Canadian owned
Ibach
High end German piano; many unique designer cases
Kawai
Large Japanese company, similar to Yamaha. Ranges from cheaper models made in Indonesia or China to very high end Shigeru models.
Kemble
Quality British upright piano; majority owned by Yamaha. Kemble grands are actually made by Yamaha
Knabe, see Samick
Kohler & Campbell, see Samick
Krakauer
Former American piano company, used on entry level Chinese pianos
Mason & Hamlin
High end piano similar to Steinway, once again being made in the US after a 1990’s bankruptcy. They are now owned by PianoDisc, makers of electronic player systems
Nordiska
Entry level pianos made in China
Otto Meister
This German sounding piano is made in China also
Overs
Small company making high end Australian piano maker; many innovations
Palatino
Entry level Chinese pianos from a company that has been making other instruments for years. Said to be higher quality than most other Chinese manufacturers, using parts from all over the world
Pearl River
Another entry level piano made in China, affiliated with Yamaha
Perzina, Gerb
German company that now makes their pianos in China; said to be better than most Chinese pianos due to many German components
Petrof
High quality but affordable by European standards, made in the Czech Republic.
Pleyel
Good quality pianos, the only French made pianos sold in America. Possibly the world's oldest piano company that is still in business
Pramberger
Named for a former Steinway technician who designed Young Chang's top line. More recently, the name was sold to Samick, and is used on their higher end pianos (which are not designed by Pramberger).
Ravenscroft
Newer American piano, extremely high end and extremely limited production. German made cabinetry and other parts, assembled in America with several innovations
Rheindorf
Austrian designed, an inexpensive Chinese made piano
Ritmuller
Another old German name, another piano made in China
Samick (SMC)
Makes mid level pianos in Korea or Indonesia. Includes the names Wurlitzer, Sohmer, Grinnell, Kohler & Campbell, Story & Clark, Samick, Remington, Knabe, Pramberger and others.
Sauter
High end German piano
Schell, Lothar
German designed, an inexpensive Chinese piano
Schimmel
High end German piano; the Vogel made in Poland is their midpriced line
Schulze Pollmann
Good Quality piano, made in Italy
Seiler
High end German piano, available with factory direct pricing
Sejung
Newer but rapidly growing Chinese piano company; Entry level pianos
Shigeru, see Kawai
Sohmer, see Samick
Steck, see Sejung
Steingraeber & Sohne
Very high end German piano, they make only a few hundred per year
Steinway & Sons
The most familiar name on the concert stage in America. Made in New York, some say the better models are those made in Germany. There are no “cheaper” models; the less expensive lines are called “Boston” and “Essex” are Asian made.
Story & Clark
American company now owned by QRS, maker of electronic player systems. Pianos are assembled in Indonesia by Samick, then sent to Pennsylvania for final inspection. QRS player system available on all models.
Stuart & Sons
Australian made grands and concert grands; Very high end with many innovations
Suzuki
An very inexpensive Chinese piano, sold at Costco.
Vogel, see Schimmel
Walter, Charles
Good quality American pianos, made in Indiana
Weinbach
Formerly made by Petrof, these are now made in China
Wurlitzer, see Baldwin
Wyman
Newer company started by ex-Baldwin designers; inexpensive Chinese pianos
Yamaha
Oldest Japanese piano company, over 100 years old. A name everyone knows, as they are a huge company with a full line of products. A range of quality and price, from high end grands, to medium quality, to entry level Indonesian or Chinese pianos.
Young Chang
Large Korean maker of mid priced pianos. Also makes the "Essex" line for Steinway. Weber and Bergmann are their less expensive lines, made in China.
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