Steinway & Sons

The Reddit community broadly regards Steinway as the gold standard of piano craftsmanship, frequently citing their longevity, tonal quality, and value retention. However, there is notable nuance around era of manufacture — pre-WWII instruments are widely considered superior — and recent concerns about quality consistency following corporate ownership changes temper the enthusiasm somewhat.

A well-maintained Steinway — ideally pre-WWII or Hamburg-made — is genuinely buy-it-for-life material that can outlast generations and appreciate in value, but recent US production quality concerns and the extreme cost mean buyers should research the specific era and origin carefully.

Steinway pianos are praised for their extraordinary sound, longevity, and timeless scale designs that have barely changed in over a century. They are widely cited as appreciating in value and capable of lasting multiple lifetimes with proper care.

• Concert grand Model D still used on stages worldwide today
• Scale designs dating to late 19th century remain largely unchanged
• Well-maintained Steinways can appreciate rather than depreciate in value
• Pre-WWII models especially prized for superior materials and craftsmanship
• Sound quality described as incomparable even to top-tier competitors like Yamaha
• Hamburg-made Steinways retain higher reputation for build quality

Post-WWII and especially late 1960s through 1990s Steinways are considered hit or miss, and recent corporate ownership changes have raised concerns about upbadged mass-market parts being used in newer instruments at unjustified price points.

• Late 1960s through 1990s models considered inconsistent in quality
• Recent ownership shift toward brand over craftsmanship concerns enthusiasts
• Newer US models criticized for using Renner OEM parts at luxury prices
• Extremely high cost puts them out of reach for most buyers
• Pianos generally have a shelf life and do not age as gracefully as string instruments

A longtime Yamaha piano dealer employee acknowledged that while Yamaha's top-end instruments are impressive, they simply don't reach the level of a Steinway.

One owner described their attachment to their Steinway as so strong that they'd sooner lose their house than the instrument, though they couldn't vouch for newer models.

A knowledgeable commenter noted that Steinway's US operation has shifted toward being a brand company rather than a piano company, upbadging mass-market parts while charging luxury prices — Hamburg Steinway remains less affected.

A piano enthusiast noted that pre-WWII is considered the golden age of piano building, with around 1900 being peak quality, and that Steinway's design has barely changed since then precisely because it was already perfected.