Are Steinway pianos made, in fact, by Steinway themselves?

Question

Recently, I have gone to a music store looking to buy a piano. I like good deals and when I saw a slightly scratched upright marked down almost by 50%, I took my chance and purchased it.

The salesman told me that the brand of piano I purchased, Pearl River, partners with the company Steinway & Sons. Since labor is cheap in China (Pearl River pianos are manufactured there), Steinway purchases the pianos from Pearl River and then sells them +$5000 or more tacked on the original value.

When Pearl River sells their pianos, the price is significantly lower, but the quality and craftsmanship of the piano is the same. So my question: Is this true? Have my Steinway-owning friends been shelling out more money than needed?

Answer 1

Konrad G answered this question better than you may initially realize. Steinway is a great piano manufacturer. They do not make any piano that does not say "Steinway and Sons" on it. However that being said, I have two Hamburg D (Concert grand) pianos and they both knock the socks off anything that any New York pianos can do. It is really a voyage learning about what makes a great piano and additionally how to listen so you really hear (and feel) what makes a great instrument. Some of the best investments I ever made were in these pianos. The harmonics and real live sounds of a great piano and performer can not be replaced by samples effectively...investing in learning about what makes a great instrument (and purchasing one) will pay dividends for many years (and likely produce a very good return too.) If you invest in a sub par instrument the experience is kind of like buying a Bagel at Denny's - once you get it you are not sure what to do with it and nobody else wants it.

One of the most incredible experiences i have had in my life was searching for and finding my instruments. That does not mean it was easy - but the experience taught me a lot and is one i am proud (personally) to have had every day that i practice or record.

Answer 2

Hello,
there is two steinway brands: New Yorker and Hamburger. What is most used by professionals comes from Hamburg Germany. However, the New Yorker has some similarities with the Hamburger. The sound of the New Yorker is nice - "nobel". The German Steinway is just better in any aspect, from the action to the sound board.
Pearl River is a Chinese brand which produces cheap Yamaha pianos (Not Steinways !!!). Some come even with the name "Yamaha - Pearl River". New Yorkre S. seeks "cheaper labor" in Korea. Some of those pianos are being sold under the name Essex, Boston etc. The "Steinway design" lebel written on them is just marketing !

Answer 3

I'm sure the Pearl River is not a Steinway. Go to steinway.com to take a factory tour and see the various pianos they make.

Also, a wonderful book that would give you some insights into pianos and differences in tone and quality of workmanship is "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier". It has an engaging story as well as a real study of pianos.

Answer 4

I know little of different brands of pianos, but two instruments can be made with the exact materials, but the geometric shape has to be perfect to get the right overtones and that probably isn't happening in China. I would say your probably being duped by the salesmen since pianoes are not like clothing, but i really don't know and care nothing for overtones, i just like to play.