It can be difficult to know where to start when looking for an acoustic piano. There are so many different brands and models available on the market, each with its own unique features.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide to buying the best acoustic piano for your needs. We’ll discuss important factors to consider when making your purchase, as well as some of the best models available on the market today.
So if you’re in the market for a new acoustic piano, read on!
What Is an Acoustic Piano?
An acoustic piano is a type of musical instrument that relies on strings and hammers to produce sound. Unlike digital pianos, which use electronic keys and digital technology to produce sound, acoustic pianos use the traditional piano mechanism of hammers striking strings.
These instruments are typically larger and heavier than digital pianos and are typically more expensive as well. However, many musicians and music lovers prefer acoustic pianos for their authentic sound, as well as their ability to be played without needing any power or electronic hookups.
The Best Acoustic Piano Options
Here are some of the best models you can choose from:
Kawai GL 10 WH/P Grand Piano
- Millennium III mechanics
- ABS Styran mechanical components
- Sostenuto Pedal
- Hammerheads with bottom felt
- Slow-closing key flap
The Kawai GL 10 WH/P is one of the best acoustic pianos on the market today. With its high-quality construction and rich, responsive tone, this piano is ideal for professional musicians and amateurs alike.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, the Kawai GL 10 WH/P will help you bring your music to life. Its smooth action, responsive keys, and wide range of tones and notes make it a top choice among musicians everywhere. The double-width stretcher bar is a feature of the GL series that is present in the GL 10.
You can truly experience the vibrations traveling through that piece of wood while playing the GL10. It resembles the piano’s veins connecting across its front. In fact, even 10 seconds after playing the piano, you can still sense the vibrations through the wood.
Sometimes your fingers can easily pick up on these vibrations. The Millenium III ABS-carbon action found on the GL 20, GL 30, GL 40, and GL 50 is also found on the GL 10. Even the action is the same as the experience you would get with any GX series model.
Specifications
- Millennium III Mechanics
- ABS Styran Mechanical Components
- Sostenuto pedal
- Hammer heads with bottom felt
- Slow closing key flap
- Length: 153 cm
- Color: White polished
- Weight: 282 kg (621 pounds)
- Comes with a piano bench
Pros
- High-quality construction and rich, responsive tone
- Ideal for advanced pianists and amateurs alike
- Smooth action, responsive keys, and a wide range of tones
- Double-width stretcher bar for enhanced vibrations
- Top choice among musicians everywhere
Cons
- Medium-sized, and therefore not suitable for small spaces
Yamaha GB1 K Black Polished
- Elegant and carefully crafted
- Fits into smaller spaces
- High-class musical performance
The tastefully designed and reasonably priced Yamaha baby grand is a great acoustic piano for smaller spaces. The quality of its musical performance, however, is on par with that of all other Yamaha Grands.
The Yamaha GB1 K is a stylish, small, and compact device. You might not hear much of a distinction in sound quality when you compare the GB1 K to other Yamaha piano models if you’re a beginner or entry-level pianist.
The piano looks fantastic as well, so if you’re searching for a baby grand piano that’s visually appealing, economical, and doesn’t require a lot of room, this will work just fine.
The bass strings on pianos that are small, like the Yamaha GB1, are extremely short. In the bottom two or three octaves, small strings can end up producing a mildly “tubby” or “thuddy” sound. Concert grand pianos are extremely long because longer bass strings yield a significantly better tone.
Specifications
- 88 keys
- 3 Pedals (center pedal: single tone holding pedal)
- Length: 151 cm (5′)
- Width: 146 cm (57″)
- Height: 99 cm (39″)
- Weight: 261 kg (574 pounds)
- Black-Polished
Pros
- Stylish and compact design
- Great for smaller spaces
- High-quality musical performance in all registers
- Economical and doesn’t require a lot of room
Cons
- May produce a slightly “tubby” or “thuddy” sound in the lower registers
- Other Yamaha models may have a better tone quality
Yamaha GC 1 M PE Grand Piano
- Combines the duplex scale and rich tonal character of the coveted C1 grand piano
- Execution in black highly polished
The new Grand GC 1 incorporates the highly prized C1 Grand’s rich sound attributes and duplex scale with cost-saving benefits in the production and selection of materials.
As a result, the acoustic instrument is both incredibly expressive and remarkably affordable. This model has an incredibly full, resonant tone and significantly better quality of sound.
The GC 1 is 149 cm wide, 161 cm long, and 290 kg heavy. This makes it 10 cm longer than the GB 1, which will undoubtedly aid in producing a good bass tone.
Whenever you’re dealing with grand pianos, longer is definitely better. The Yamaha GC 1 is a superior piano to the Yamaha GB 1, as well as the overwhelming majority of baby grand pianos in use today.
The GC 1 might be the ideal choice for you if you don’t have enough room for a Yamaha C3 or C5.
Specifications
- Glossy black finish
- Length: 161 cm (5’3″)
- Width: 146 cm (5’9″)
- Height: 99 cm (40″)
- Weight: 249 kg (627 pounds)
- 88 Keys
- 3 Pedals (center pedal: single tone holding pedal)
- Comes with a piano bench
Pros
- Beautiful, high-quality design
- Great for both professional and amateur pianists
- Expressive and full, resonant tone
- Ideal for smaller spaces
Cons
- Other pianos may have a better tone quality
Kawai GL 30 ATX 4 E/P Grand Piano
Kawai GL 30 ATX 4 E/P Grand Piano
- With AnytimeX-4 equipment
- Integrated Hammer Sensing System (IHSS)
- 90 sounds
- Bluetooth midi/audio
- Millennium III mechanics
With its 166 cm length, the GL 30 provides a useful size upgrade over Kawai’s smaller GL 10 model, allowing for a longer length of the string and a wider soundboard area.
This gives the same highly rated Millennium III ABS-Carbon grand piano action a deeper tone and more dynamic range, increasing musical versatility. The GL 30 is definitely worth taking into consideration if you have room for the additional 15 cm in length and the increased money spent.
The cumulative structural integrity, precise action, and steel-reinforced keybed of the GL-Series pianos make them perfect for expertly fitted after-market systems. This is great for those looking to add a self-playing system.
Specifications
- With Anytime X-4 equipment
- Integrated Hammer Sensing System (IHSS)
- 90 Sounds
- Bluetooth Midi/Audio
- Millennium III action
- Sostenuto pedal
- Hammerheads with underfelt
- Slow-closing piano key cover system
- Length: 166 cm
- Width: 150 cm
- Height: 102 cm
- Weight: 318 kg
- Surface: Black polished
- Comes with a piano bench
- Includes headphones, nationwide delivery by piano movers, and a tuning service available on-site
Pros
- Ideal for both professional and amateur pianists
- High-quality sound with a wide dynamic range and rich tone
- Great for larger spaces, with a wide range of extra features and customization options
Cons
- Expensive for people with small budgets
- May be too big for some smaller spaces
Kawai GL 30 AURES 2 E/P Grand Piano
Kawai GL 30 AURES 2 E/P Grand Piano
- With Aure’s system
- Equipped with a mute switch for the acoustic part of the grand piano and high-quality digital piano technology
- Millennium III mechanics with ABS carbon parts of unrivaled stability and strength
- Mahogany hammer core
The brand-new GL 30 AURES 2 Grand Piano incorporates the acclaimed performance of the GL Series grand pianos with the adaptability of a top-tier digital instrument. The GL 30 AURES 2 takes musical opportunities to greater heights by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge digital piano technology into the classic grand piano.
For unique and captivating tone combinations, pianists can layer the acoustic grand piano with any of the 90 digital sounds. Furthermore, you can mute this acoustic piano and play quietly through headphones whenever you need some silence.
The GL 30 AURES 2 features the renowned Millennium III carbon fiber action, which gives award-winning GL Series grand pianos their exceptional touch and gives them a warm, lively tone.
It uses Kawai’s patented technology for rendering and XL technology for harmonic imaging to create digital sounds. Additionally, players can benefit from other additional features like split, metronome, record, and layer modes. There are also MIDI and Bluetooth audio connectivity options through the PianoRemote app.
Specifications
- Finish: Black polished
- With Aures system
- Mute for the acoustic part of the piano and a high-quality digital piano technology
- Millennium III Action with ABS carbon parts of unmatched stability and strength
- Mahogany hammer cores
- Hammer heads with felt underneath
- Length: 166 cm
- Width: 152 cm
- Height: 102 cm
- Weight: 317 kg
Pros
- Digital features and customization options
- High-quality sound and touch with an expressive dynamic range
- Ideal for both professional and amateur pianists
Cons
- Costly for people working with a small budget
Factors to Consider When Buying an Acoustic Piano
There are a number of things you should have in mind when purchasing an acoustic piano. These include:
Cost
One of the most important factors to consider when buying an acoustic piano is cost. Acoustic pianos can vary significantly in price, depending on factors such as brand, model, and materials used.
You should carefully research the prices of different upright pianos to find a model that fits within your budget. If you don’t have much to spend, buy one at an affordable price.
Size
Another important factor to consider when purchasing an acoustic piano is size. Depending on the space in which you plan to use your piano, you may need to consider factors such as length and width when making a purchase.
You should carefully evaluate your space and make sure to choose a piano that will be suitable for your needs.
Sound
In addition to cost and size, it’s also important to consider the sound of an acoustic piano when making a purchase. Different acoustic pianos have different tonal qualities and ranges.
You should carefully evaluate the sound of different models to find one that suits your preferences and needs. Additionally, you may wish to consider features such as speakers and amplification, which can help you get the most out of your piano’s sound.
Purpose
Whether you’re buying a piano for professional use or simply to enjoy the music at home, it’s important to consider what you’ll be using the piano for when making a purchase. This can help you get the most out of your piano and ensure that it meets your needs and preferences.
For example, if you’re looking for a piano to use in a professional setting, you may wish to look for models that have features such as MIDI connectivity and high-quality sound, which can be useful for recording and performing.
On the other hand, if you’re simply looking for a piano to enjoy at home, you may not need such advanced features, and can instead focus on factors like price and size.
Appearance
As much as you buy an acoustic piano for its functionality, you can’t ignore the fact that it’s also an investment in style. When choosing an acoustic piano, it’s important to consider factors such as appearance and design to ensure it’ll be a good fit for your home or studio.
Some key things to look for when choosing a piano’s appearance include wood type, finish, and hardware.
Quality
When buying an acoustic piano, it’s important to consider the quality of materials and construction. A high-quality piano will be made from premium materials, such as high-quality wood and metals, and will be built to last.
A high-quality acoustic piano can be a valuable investment, so it’s important to choose one that will stand the test of time.
Go for branded models instead of non-brand models. Non-brand models often have lower-quality parts, which can result in reduced sound quality and durability. You should carefully consider the materials and manufacturing processes used to ensure that you’re getting a high-quality product.
Acoustic Piano Vs Digital Piano
When it comes to choosing a piano, there are many different options to consider, including an acoustic piano and a digital piano. While both of these types of pianos have their own unique set of pros and cons, some key differences can help you decide which one is the better choice for you.
One of the main differences between an acoustic and a digital piano is cost. An acoustic piano is typically more expensive than a similar digital piano, largely because acoustic pianos require higher-quality materials and manufacturing processes.
However, an acoustic piano may be worth the investment if you’re looking for a high-quality piano that will last for many years.
Another key difference between acoustic and digital pianos is sound. An acoustic piano produces a natural, rich sound that can’t be replicated by a digital piano. However, a digital piano can often offer various built-in sound effects and options, which can be useful for different musical styles or purposes.
Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your budget, musical preferences, and other factors. If you’re looking for a high-quality piano that produces natural sounds and can last for many years, an acoustic piano may be the right option for you.
However, if you’re looking for a more affordable and flexible piano with a wide range of built-in sound effects and options, a digital piano may be the better choice.
FAQ
What is the best piano for classical music?
There’s no definitive answer to this question, as different musicians may prefer different types of pianos. However, many classical musicians tend to prefer high-quality acoustic pianos, as these instruments are known for their rich sound and complex tone.
If you’re looking for a piano that is ideal for creating classical music, you may want to consider investing in an acoustic piano. However, if you’re on a tight budget, a digital piano may be a more affordable and flexible option.
What is the best piano for beginners?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different beginners may have different needs and preferences. However, a good beginner-friendly piano should meet certain key criteria, including affordability, ease of use, and a wide range of features that can help beginners learn and develop their skills.
Some good options to consider include digital/electric pianos, keyboard pianos, silent pianos, and student-specific acoustic pianos. Ultimately, the best piano for beginners depends on your budget, musical preferences, and other factors. Piano teachers can guide you on the best piano to buy for your piano lesson.
What are the different types of pianos?
There are many different types of pianos, each with its own unique set of strengths and benefits. Some key examples include acoustic pianos, digital pianos, and keyboard pianos.
Acoustic pianos are traditional, old-school instruments that produce a natural sound through the use of high-quality materials and a complex set of mechanical parts. As a result, these types of pianos are often considered to be the “digital piano,” a popular instrument that can be used to create music and recordings.
While acoustic pianos are often seen as more high-end, high-quality instruments, they can also be quite expensive. However, digital pianos are often more affordable and flexible than acoustic pianos, making them a great choice for musicians on a budget.
Do older pianos sound better?
This really depends on the individual piano in question. Some older pianos are known for their high-quality sound and beautiful tone, while others are not as well-regarded. Ultimately, the sound quality of an older piano will depend on a variety of factors, including its age, materials used in its construction, and its state.
If you’re looking for an older piano with a rich, beautiful sound, it may be best to speak to an experienced piano technician or other music experts to get their recommendations. Otherwise, you may want to consider investing in a high-quality digital piano that can offer rich and complex sounds.
How do I care for my piano?
There are some general tips to keep in mind when caring for your piano. These include regularly tuning and cleaning it, protecting it from extreme temperatures or humidity levels, and taking it to a professional piano technician if you notice any issues or problems.
Additionally, be sure to avoid putting too much strain on your piano by regularly practicing and playing it, as this can help maintain its sound quality and overall condition. Finally, be sure to seek advice from a professional piano technician or other experts if you have any questions or concerns about caring for your piano.
What is the lifespan of a piano?
The lifespan of a piano will depend on a variety of factors, including its age, condition, and the type of materials used in its construction. Generally speaking, most pianos can last for around 30 years if they are well-maintained and properly cared for.
However, some high-quality acoustic pianos may last even longer than this, while some lower-quality or poorly maintained pianos may have a shorter lifespan. If you want to ensure your piano lasts for the long term, it’s important to take good care of it.
Is an acoustic piano better than a digital piano?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the best choice for you will depend on your individual preferences and needs.
An acoustic piano typically offers a higher level of sound quality and keyboard feel. It may be also more durable than a digital piano, but a digital piano can often offer more sound effects and options at a lower cost.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the best acoustic pianos. Whether you’re a professional pianist or starting out playing in your living room, we have covered some of the best pianos on the market.
Each of them is a great choice for musicians of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your existing instrument.
We recommend researching which will be best for you based on your budget, needs, and playing level to make the most informed decision.