Upright Pianos

Upright pianos take up minimal floor space, are affordable and can produce a deep tone, warm mid register and vibrant treble. To avoid a shallow tone, particularly in the bass and lower mid registers, focus on upright pianos that are over 116cm in height. In addition to achieving a more balanced tone, mid-tall upright pianos (120cm-133cm) feel better, with more control and responsiveness through greater leverage.

Baby Grand Pianos

Baby grand pianos have a unique tone. Whilst the bass can be inferior to most tall upright pianos, the mid-treble registers usually have a pearly tone that is more lyrical and melodic. The keyboard and action will be considerably more responsive in a baby grand piano. The baby grand piano is a highly attractive piece of furniture with an inviting appearance. At 4'11" - 5'8" in length, baby grands are much easier to accommodate than standard grand pianos.

Grand Pianos

Grand pianos are the pinnacle of acoustic pianos. Ranging from 5'8" - 7'6", standard grand pianos produce a broad tone with superior touch and expressive dynamic range. The most popular grand piano size is 6', where the bass register is full and balanced with the tenor and treble. Concert grand pianos are designed for the stage, ranging from 8' - 9'6".

Grand Pianos

Listed in ascending order (length, price). Please note: higher price does not always signify higher quality. Each grand piano listed is approved by us and represents high standard and sensible pricing.

Our grand piano reviews are honest and technically accurate. Choose a grand piano that you can afford, accomodate and has the tonal character suits your preference.

Grand piano tonal character

Brodmann grand pianos: distinctive 'Viennese' tonal character that is very colourful, rich and melodic.

Yamaha grand pianos: neutral, bold and bright tone that projects well.

Venables & Son grand pianos: delicate, rounded and warm tone.

Grand piano buying advice

Here are some valuable facts about grand pianos that will help you understand their merits and compromises as well as essential grand piano buying advice.

How much do grand pianos cost?

We specialise in affordable high quality grand pianos - assuring you of a pleasing tone, responsive touch and high standard of finish, at a relatively low price. Low quality is a false economy and we understand that top quality is typically too expensive. You will be pleased that we have the happy medium right here, a very safe place to be! Prices start at around £9,500 for a new 5'10" grand, with our quality approval and 5 year guarantee. 'Young' pre-owned / second-hand grand pianos are usually available from around £7,500 (sub 6') depending on specification, and availability.

What size is a grand piano

A grand piano is between 5'8" (173cms) - 7'6" (228cms) in length, and around 5' (152cms) wide. A full concert grand is around 9' (288cms). The tail (end opposite from the keyboard, with one leg) is around 3' wide.

Why should I buy a grand piano?

Grands are popular because of their unique appearance as a highly desirable piece of furniture, they are easy to accomodate and visually more inviting to play than upright pianos. As well as being an effective 'action' upgrade from an upright to grand, providing the player more touch response and efficiency, the tone of a grand is very different (not necesarily better in all respects) to an upright piano of similar price.

Older grands are cheaper, but is age a higher price in itself?

Modern design and engineering is very effective - and worth so much. Older pianos (pre-1930's) built by top piano makers in their day eg. Bluthner, Bechstein or Grotrian Steinweg are very attractive on price vs. the same models brand new. However, they simply do not match up. The designs are very different: the actions weren't as good, the scale designs weren't so well engineered and the timbers were not built with central heating in mind. Add to this the fact that they has been subject to around 20tonnes of combined string tension for over 80years, probably been moved over 10 times and been heavily played, the result really is a substandard instrument that cannot compete with a good quality modern piano.

'Restored' is a very loosely used term in the piano trade, so get an independent technician to see how well, how much and how recently the 'restoration' has been done. Full restoration costs are typically in excess of £4,000 - so don't expect a £7,500 grand to have been 'restored' properly.

If you want to consider an old grand piano, try some good quality but affordable new / nearly new pianos as well, so you can gauge the performance, condition and value of grand pianos for yourself.

Here's a fact: We supply many new Brodmann, Yamaha and Venables & Son grand pianos to homes, professionals and institutions who have a pre 1930's 'premium' grand for part exchange. What does that say?

Where is the biggest improvement in most grand pianos, in performance for size?

Length is the primary factor in grand piano tone. It is very important to look at the width of the main body too, and moreso the tail end. Two 6' grands may sound very different, depending on the profile of the tail. A wide tail will accomodate longer bass strings, provide more soundboard area and allow for a more receptive position for the bridge.

What's best for you?

Principally, longer grands sound better. It isn't just the bass, it's the depth of the mid-register too. In a domestic environment, you may prefer a smaller grand, around 6', that has a colourful tone and wide projective range, or a 7' grand that is more focused, subdued and gentle, yet has more depth and a more natural bass. Remember, it is personal, subjective and only you know what's best for you.

We recommend visiting our grand piano showrooms by informal appointment so you can fully appreciate the true differences, select from a hand-picked selection of affordable high standard grands, and play in privacy.