Generally, a piano is a significant investment, not an everyday purchase. Most acoustic pianos cost thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, from upright, baby grand to concert grand pianos. How much is a baby grand? In this article, let’s take a closer look at the baby grand piano price.
Many times, you hear that digital pianos are cheaper than acoustic pianos. Yes, it is usually true. However, high-end digital pianos still cost several thousand dollars. For home use, school, worship house, or small performance hall, a baby grand piano is an ideal option, especially for people who prefer an acoustic instrument experience.
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What is a Baby Grand Piano?
Broadly defined, grand pianos are tri-legged instruments with horizontal strings. The original pianoforte was invented more than 300 hundred years ago by Bartolomeo Cristofori. The body style is closer to the modern baby grand piano, 6 feet long. The longer (9 to 10 feet) concert grand pianos were developed later for professional solo and orchestral performances.
The upright pianos came about in the later eighteenth century. They can fit in smaller spaces in private homes. For more than a century, pianists have favored upright pianos for home uses due to their size and cost.
On the other hand, a three-legged grand piano makes any room more elegant. Additionally, the sound resonance of grand pianos and longer keys is superb compared to any upright piano. Typically, a baby grand piano is about 4’7″ to 6′ in length and 5′ in width. The tail is usually about 3′ broad; hence, the modest-sized baby grand pianos are still very popular for home use and small halls.
Price Varies Depending on the Maker
The quality of a grand piano truly depends on its maker and what kind of techniques and materials the piano maker employs. Therefore, piano branding matters. That is also why the baby grand piano price varies a lot among different makers.
Individually Made Pianos
High-end luxury grand pianos are individually handcrafted, and the wood is meticulously prepared. Moreover, they are predominantly built by European manufacturers. The prices range from $70,000 to $150,000. Here are the few top brands for baby grand pianos:
- C. Bechstein – It is a German piano maker with over 170 years of supreme reputation. Its L167 model is a tremendously beautiful, slightly larger baby grand at 5’6″ in length. It has a vibrant and brilliant tone and light key action. It costs around $126,000.
- Bösendorfer – The legendary Viennese piano manufacturer is the oldest in the world. Now, Yamaha Corporation owns it, and Yamaha preserves all the old traditions of Bösendorfer piano making. The gorgeous baby grand Model 155 is priced at ~$122,000 and has a brilliant treble with an impressive base register.
- Fazioli – This Italian piano manufacturer delivers superior baby grand pianos. Its model F156 baby grand, for instance, is a classic Fazioli beauty and comes with super-even action across the entire keyboard. The brightness of the top is balanced with the powerful bass. The price is ~$120,000.
- Steingraeber & Söhne – The German piano manufacturer offers uniquely full and colorful sound in its baby grand model A-170 priced around $116,000. The very light keyboard action is a great baby grand performance, especially well suited for the professional settings of theaters and homes.
- Steinway & Sons – An American piano maker has more than 160 years of craftsmanship. With uncompromising standards of quality, the Model S, priced around $75,000, has the action and sound you find in a Steinway grand piano.
Mass-Produced Pianos
While the luxurious grand baby pianos are expensive, mass-production options are available. The pianos that come from the assembly line usually are much more budget-friendly. Some manufacturers can produce 50,000 to 100,000 pianos annually. Because of the high volume of production keeps these baby grand piano prices inexpensive, ranging from $5,000 – $20,000. Some brands offer baby grands in this price range. To name a few:
- Baldwin
- Hamilton
- Kawai
- Kohler & Campbell
- Pearl River
- Story & Clark
- Yamaha
- Young Chang
The Mid-Range
When looking for a baby grand, you may also consider many quality choices in the price range of $20,000 to $70,000. Even though these pianos are from assembly lines, some reputable piano makers often target this mid-range market by offering excellent quality baby grands at a competitive price. A few examples are:
- Baldwin BP148, BP152, and BP165 Premium Baby Grand Pianos
- Steinway & Sons Model M Baby Grand
- Yamaha C1 Baby Grand Piano
- Pearl River GP150 Premium Baby Grand
- Kawai RX-1 Professional Baby Grand Piano
Summary
A baby grand is a good choice for home uses or small performance venues. Regardless of whether it is for beginner or professional pianists, the players will truly appreciate the real acoustic piano experience with its rich sound resonance and excellent keyboard action. Compared to upright, the baby grands usually have lighter key actions.
When you choose a baby grand piano, the price is probably one of the considered facts besides the sound and key action. In this article, we discussed three price ranges:
- Luxury baby grands: $70,000 – $150,000; meticulously handcrafted individually
- Mid-range baby grands: $20,000 – $70,000; mass production with high quality in sound and key action
- Affordable baby grands: $5,000 – $20,000; mass production models
I think mid-range models would be suitable for all levels of players with their quality and reasonable price range. Buying a real piano would be a good investment, especially with regular care and tuning; it could last for generations. Additionally, choosing a piano is a very personal matter. I recommend you go to your local piano shop and try some models; you will find the best one that suits your needs and style.
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