4 Grand Pianos, 4 Piano Brands
The journey to finding the perfect grand piano is personal to each and every client. Here we invite you to compare the Yamaha CF6, Shigeru Kawai SK6, Steinway Model B and Bösendorfer 214VC.
In this article we showcase these four 7-foot performance grand pianos that are presented on our two beautiful showroom floors in London and Swansea, from leading premium piano brands, Bösendorfer, Steinway & Sons, Shigeru Kawai and Yamaha.
We are delighted to have our piano historian and concert pianist Gary Branch to perform on these most noble of instruments playing the 2nd movement of the Sonatine by Ravel, which covers all the registers of the instrument. They have each been recorded using the same equipment set-up at our two showrooms to provide as fair a technical comparison as possible.
Read on and watch the videos to find out more about these extraordinary performance grand pianos, and let us know which is your favourite in the comments below!
Yamaha CF6 Grand Piano
Sharing many of the features and materials of its bigger brother, the CFX Concert Grand, the Yamaha CF6 is wonderfully expressive. Its tone is open yet rich , while its action is quick and responsive.
The CF6 features a special crown construction that enables wide-ranging vibrations to create rich and resonating sound and a tone collector system connecting the radiating back posts on one end with the cast iron frame allows for the smooth transmission of vibrations from the soundboard throughout the entire piano.
"The CF6 is a phenomenally well refined piano. It has an incredibly even tonal quality across the whole range of the keyboard. The action is very sensitive and is perfectly balanced for the most discerning players. The instrument has great versatility and is capable of creating the finest performances in all styles and genres."
- Gary Branch, Professional Pianist & Piano Historian
Coach House Price:
£73,110.00 (New)
Made in:
Japan
Dimensions:
L: 212cm W: 159cm H: 102cm
Strings:
Hand-wound bass strings
Pedals:
3
Soundboard:
European Spruce
Keys:
88 - Ivorite
The SK6 is one in a range of handcrafted pianos built by Kawai and named after Shigeru Kawai, the second generation of the Kawai family to take on the passion of building some of the finest pianos in the world.
Known as the Orchestra Grand, the Shigeru Kawai SK6 features a superb action and its tonal range is wildly diverse, offering the darkest tones all the way to the brightest.
The dense rim on this model lends itself to greater projection and sustain, since there is less energy loss/absorption by the rim, and the longer key length allows for fantastic control and dynamic range.
"The SK6 is an extremely honourable piano, always delivering the sense of pride and passion that has been devoted to it by craftsmen of the highest level. They are one of the finest balanced instruments available today, from the evenness of the action through to the tonal balance of the sound, from lowest bass notes, through the singing middle range to the clear and precise top treble, these instruments are beautifully poised and presented for all occasions and musical tastes."
- Gary Branch, Professional Pianist & Piano Historian
Coach House Price:
£56,665.00 (New)
Made in:
Japan
Dimensions:
L: 214cm W: 154cm H: 102cm
Strings:
Temaki Bass Strings, “hand wound” for absolute precision and tension
Pedals:
3
Soundboard:
Spruce
Keys:
88 – NEOTEX
Steinway & Sons Model B Grand Piano
Often referred to as the 'Perfect Piano' due to its size and its tone, the Steinway Model B is well-suited to more intimate settings such as homes, studios, and mid-sized venues.
Featuring a soundboard made from close-grained Sitka spruce from British Columbia and Alaska, chosen for its acoustic qualities, and using a diaphragmatic design that tapers in thickness to enhance the resonance, the Steinway Model B delivers a rich, sustaining tone.
With a wonderfully rich timbre and a smooth and responsive action, this piano is a delight.
"Enjoyed by almost every pianist who has had the privilege to play and hear one, the model ‘B’ has all of the great qualities of a Steinway superbly balanced together. From the sensitivity of the action, through to the power of the bass and clarity of the mid and treble ranges of the instrument. Everything connects together beautifully within the model ‘B’ grand piano, justifying the respect and reputation it is has achieved within the piano world."
- Gary Branch, Professional Pianist & Piano Historian
Coach House Price:
£68,995.00 (Pre-owned)
Made in:
Germany
Dimensions:
L: 211cm W: 148cm
Strings:
Treble: Twelve whole and one-half sizes from high-tensile Swedish steel.
Bass: Swedish steel core wire wound with pure copper
Pedals:
3
Soundboard:
Sitka spruce
Keys:
88 - European Spruce
What distinguishes the Bösendorfer 214VC from smaller grands is its longer key length, a much larger soundboard, and longer bass strings, all resulting in a wonderfully dynamic instrument delivering on both sound and expression.
Using carefully sourced materials solely from Europe, including Austrian spruce for the soundboard that allows for superb resonance, and hand-spun bass strings for diverse tonal range, this model is a fantastic choice for small to medium sized concert halls, as well as a superb choice for music schools and conservatoires.
Any student learning on a Bösendorfer 214VC will experience the endless possibilities for interpretation and tonal shaping, helping them to become a distinguished pianist.
“This beautifully handcrafted piano has all the qualities of an incredibly creative instrument. Whatever the genre or style of music you are playing, it is able to provide the highest quality of sound and artistry. The touch totally reflects the requirements of any discerning pianist and offers creative opportunity to uncover the most detailed aspects of any performance. This true thoroughbred encapsulates the near 200 years of Viennese tradition in master crafting pianos.”
- Gary Branch, Professional Pianist & Piano Historian
Coach House Price:
£104,769.00 (New)
Made in:
Austria
Dimensions:
L: 214cm W: 151cm
Strings:
Single stringing from hand-spun bass strings
Pedals:
3
Soundboard:
European Spruce
Keys:
88
4 Performance Grand Pianos, 4 Different Characters
Thank you for viewing the videos of 7ft. grand pianos by four of the greatest makers of pianos in the world today. We hope you have enjoyed watching, reading the descriptions and discovering about these most finest of hand-crafted instruments.
Each of these performance grand pianos has its own merits and each one will suit a different player. At Coach House Pianos we are delighted to offer you the opportunity, by appointment, to enjoy a unique experience, coming to play and compare a large range of instruments from these, and other great piano houses, at our beautiful showrooms in London and Swansea.
Our knowledgeable sales team and specialist concert pianist, piano historian and personal advisor Gary Branch, would be delighted to host you as you begin your journey to find your perfect piano and friend for life.
