So...What`s everyone`s favorite piano(s)?

Here`s mine:
1. Steinway & Sons
2. Bösendorfer
3. Baldwin
4. Kawai
5. Bechstein

See...you`d think this would be pretty popular...but nope.

Well Harvey, it`s a fair enough question, but just how many people have access to more than one or two pianos to venture an opinion?

Anyway (so as you don`t feel ignored) I`m glad you mentioned Kawai because I badly need to change my ageing instrument (long since defunct manufacturer). I am told by dealers here in the UK that Kawai are just about the best value around although the name isn`t as high profile as, say, Yamaha - yet. I need to get around the dealers and have a look (and play) and find out for myself. Tell us what you liked about it and which model it is.

As for a Steinway - well it`s a nice dream....

I haven`t tried many. I think the ones I tried were the RX series. I have to admit that they sound a bit wimpy.
I have also tried the GS-100. Yeah, that one. It has a nice powerful sound, though not as sweet as I would like it. I don`t see or hear anything wrong with it.

Now...Kawai uses plastic...it shouldn`t matter right? On their site it says wood is inaccurate, fragile, etc. It says it affects where the hammer strikes the string. Come on! Can you really notice half a millimeter of difference? You`re more likely to notice bad felts on the hammers or dampers (Aha!). Yes, I think they want to keep the costs down...but that is not how you keep the costs down!

You want a Kawai? Go for it. It`s a great value and it`s better than most things I`ve seen.

I`ve only tried Kawai and Yamaha pianos.

Nothing can compare to a Steinway & Sons... Though Bösendorfer is quite good though have this one myself because i can`t afford a real Steinway

I think most people agree that a good Steinway produces the best sound ever. Rich, deep, smooth blah blah blah. They are hand-made, aren`t they?

Though I don`t know if I would like to practice on one. You get so used to the nice sounds you forgot the challenge out there of trying to produce good music on not-so-good pianos.

I think Kawai has a smoother sound than Yamaha. But the keyboard depth is shallower and the touch softer. I like Yamaha more for training quick and strong fingers. I mean you can never play a scale too fast!

Harvey what`s your musical background? you know so much....

I`m 14; piano student for 7 years.
Thank you.

oh oh oh oh!
and I`m concertmaster of my orchestra.

oh oh oh one of those multi-tasking music genius. Piano and violin..hmmm. Is it a city youth orchestra or school orchestra?

What? Genius? No way! It`s very typical for pianists to be first chair [whatever].
It`s a school orchestra.

errr...isn`t a concertmaster supposed to be a violinist?

Yes.

I like my Yamaha grand (which isn`t too bright sounding, unlike many), although Steinways are very nice as well haha, my orchestra director says I`m a piano snob...

KAWAI. I`ve never liked Yamahas- their sound is too covered and stuffy for my liking. And you have to thump the keys to get a sound. I just got a new (well, second-hand) piano- a Kawai BL-51, and it plays beautifully.