R Kassman Purveyor of Fine Pianos

I have done business with R Kassman Piano’s for a number of years and have always been impressed.
Recently I stopped by to see Mr. Kassman and refer a friend who is the market for a baby grand. I advised her that R Kassman Pianos is the choice for a serious purchaser.
Of course he was accommodating and patient thru the transaction of explaining how to purchase a piano. He met with her by appointment, without distractions and no pressure thus a great deal consummated.
A few years ago, I purchased a modified baby grand with the player software enhancement added to it from R Kassman. It has been a gem.
My family purchased The Hacienda Escondida in Puerto Vallarta Mexico and wanted a baby grand on the property. We have many acclaimed performers who stay on our estate. They like to play and get creative in the seclusion of what they call, «a Gardened Paradiso.» R Kassman Piano’s was the only purveyor of pianos that I trusted to advise me on the proper selection, how to get it to Mexico and how to keep it in peak operations in a humid tropical beach climate year after year. The Kassman team made it a flawless transaction and has been there for advise and support post purchase.
I’ve read a few of the posts on Unilocal and am stunned. I then realized most of the negative posts were by people that were not serious about a piano purchase, as an heirloom purchase.
Mr. Kassman’s sells approach is unorthodox in the fast paced, «I want it now, my way now yuppie world» so many Bay Area folks live.
Pity the critics don’t get that, he educates the purchaser, on the instrument and makes the client the center of attention.
For the serious buyer he schedules an appointment that is distraction free. The potential buyer and his staff are the only people in the store.
You are the center of attention. I wish for that level of service, at the salon, at the doctor, at a great restaurant. Who wouldn’t in their right mind?
As such, with an appointment, the potential purchaser is free with him or his staff member, to test out and discuss the differences in the many styles and options that are available. As the only customer, in the showroom and performance space, it is calm and quiet.
In the calm, one can truly experience the sound nuances, feel, vibration and feel of each instrument. That would never happen in most piano stores.
Anyone who has purchased serious art will understand the experience. At an art gallery when they take the painting off the wall, take you back to the private showroom, sit you on the sofa with a hot tea and the perfect lighting, soft music and let you mediate on the artwork you are considering purchasing.
The R Kassman Piano experience is similar. Thus perceived, incorrectly, as unorthodox, rude or different.
The difference in purchasing from Mr. R Kassman pianos is like the difference in purchasing a Ford Fiesta from a busy Ford showroom or purchasing a Tesla from one of the few specialized Tesla dealers.
Everyone in the know aspires to experience a Tesla from sale to ownership and beyond.
The same is true for the serious buyer of an heirloom piano. Mr. R. Kassman is the purveyor of fine pianos and provides the educated shopping experience one would expect when selecting a family heirloom to hand down to generations, similar to a purchase of fine art or a fine car.
I for one very much appreciate the old school slower paced approach in these crazed «connected» times we live in.
For my friends and associates that are serious about a piano purchase, the only way to go is R Kassman Pianos.
For those novices that want a fast food experience to piano purchases, you are entitled to that option, those stores and sellers are out there.
However, if you are used to the finer things in life as my friends and I are, we get it, as does R Kassman Pianos.
Chris Edwards — Puerto Vallarta, San Francisco

The store owner is a complete idiot and incredibly rude. If I could give negative stars I would. DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU HAVE NO SELF RESPECT AS THE OWNER HAS A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR ALL HUMANITY.
I can’t understand why someone would be such a sub par human. I hope he learns to treat people with respect.

WOW. I don’t think I’ve EVER been as insulted or talked-​down to as I was during my 3 minute conversation with this $&@#%€£¥. If you’re even considering discussing one of his pianos with him, be ready to be belittled and scolded. How’s he’s in business blows my mind…

I purchased a lovely piano from this establishment but it was not worth the aggravation and insults I endured as a pianist, and well respected teacher. One of my colleagues has posted a negative review here I so am in good company in my observations. I will never set foot in this place again.

This store is basically a work of art. It carries a hand-​selected array of amazing instruments which have all been cared for diligently by the owner, Russell Kassman. He has an outstanding depth of knowledge of each of these beautiful piano instruments, as this is his life’s work and he has picked each one. I had heard of this store from a friend and as a piano player and lover, i knew that I had to set an appointment and come to this location to see for myself. Upon meeting Russell in person I could understand how valuable his expertise was. With each instrument I played, he told me a breadth of information. I left the store with a greater idea of what it means to be a pianist and of all of the prestige of the profession.
If you are considering the purchase of a new piano, I absolutely recommend that you reach out to Kassman and set an appointment with him. He does prefer appointments so that he can give you the time and care he would like to. He also prefers that you ask before playing the instruments as they are very valuable to him and are cared for in such a way that they are kept up in perfect shape.

Mr. Kassman was a pleasure to deal with. He was very knowledgable and kind. We finally bought our first real piano, and researched before we purchased. I visited the store a few times before buying, and each time he took time to show me the different pianos he had to offer. Highly recommend!

I read all the reviews and decided to take my chances here. I left within five minutes. This man is horrible! A pretentious condescending aristocrat! I vehemently demand that this piano dealer must be boycott. One of the worst experiences I have had in any place of business or elsewhere!!! I sincerely mean what I say!!!
Shocking!!! I gave the place a one but that s because there is no option for a negative 4. What a disgusting human being.

I just visited San Francisco over the NYE holiday with my girlfriend. We were in Berkeley for the day and saw this piano store as we were driving back for our night on the town.
I love pianos and had to stop in to play while she waited for me impatiently. I have to say Russell was very accommodating & genial and his knowledge of these gorgeous instruments was impressive. I had no plans to buy on this day but he was so genuinely helpful I will consider them for my next purchase.
Thank you Russell for staying late to assist us.

I’m buying a Baldwin! Thank you much Russell, you’re a godsend. This will be my first piano and couldn’t ask for a better experience.

Yeah. Hate to say it, but I agree with just about everyone posting here.
Shopping here is not a good experience. Ditto to all the stories of crusty, wannabe indifference.
I would have to be bound, and hopefully gagged, before crossing his threshold twice.

I have been looking at buying a grand over the past several years, visiting a variety of shops throughout the bay area. Each of them have their virtues and their limitations, but overall, they all have been very accomodating in letting me really spend time with their pianos.
I went to Russell’s shop for the first time a week ago. He was very welcoming, and immediately proceeded to ask me a number of questions to understand my needs and desires. The pianos he has for sale are an amazing assortment to meet all levels — from hand built Steingraebers and Bechsteins, to Steinway, Baldwin, Kawaii, and others. Once he heard me play (I’m a former studio musician), he steered me toward certain instruments to try out — both in terms of potential winners as well as others for comparison purposes. He left me alone if I wanted, but also was willing to spend time and discuss the instruments when requested. He was clearly passionate about his instruments and in finding the right fit for me, encouraging me to really dig into the instruments and put them through their paces. In the end, I made a purchase that I’m extremely happy with.
The reviews here look extremely polarized. I can’t speak to anyone else’s experience, but my experience was fantastic throughout — from the time I entered, through exploration, transaction and delivery. Russell was professional, accomodating and focused on making sure I was satisfied.

The owner of this store is rude, unpleasant, and mean. When I, a professional pianist, wandered in the store to see what kind of selection he had, he snapped at me for not making an appointment. Then, his first question was what is how much can I spend and am I actually looking to buy today. He was visibly displeased with my answer and begrudgingly showed me a few pianos. He would not allow me to touch any piano out of my price range and even proceeded to insult my piano technique and insult the piano I have at home. In short, don’t deal with this rude, arrogant businessman. Take your business to Sherman Clay or Piedmont Piano.

I guess the comments are accurate after all! I walked in at 11am to no one at the desk, and walked around for a few minutes surveying the beautiful shop. I am searching for a new grand piano and thought this shop might have something to offer. After 5 minutes, still no one, so I decided to lightly play one of the pianos. Alarm triggered! He came crawling out of the woodwork and basically lost it, asking me to leave immediately.
Dude. You sell pianos for a living, get over yourself please. You will be happier with yourself in the long run…

Russel is a man who respects pianos. His hand-​selects pianos are from all around the world. His piano shop is a thing of beauty and definitely worth seeing. If you don’t have respect for pianos, you might not get along with him. I am an experienced pianist and have won a competition but the first time I saw him, he told me I was pounding, which annoyed me. Eventually though, I realized he was right and changed my play style to be more melodic.
Respect pianos and you will have a good experience here.

Might as well stick my review in here just to make the point again that this guy is not a nice person to deal with. I have been in the store a few times and felt very uncomfortable. Just like everyone says, he makes you feel inferior as much as he possibly can.
And if he senses that you don’t have as much money as he’d like you to spend, he tries to get you out of the store as quickly as possible.
Too bad because I’m a professional pianist. And I may not have had enough money 7 years ago, but I do now. And I’m definitely not bringing my business here.

I wish I could give this guy –5 stars I really do. There is nothing on Unilocal’s scale the can describe the horrific experience I had a few years ago.
I had written a really nasty review three years ago but I see that it disappeared (or he had it taken down). Either way it goes every time I think of my experience at this place I cringe and I get angry all over again! I was piano shopping in LA and even a store down there had heard about R. Kassman! LMAO! SAD!
I walked into the store looking specifically for a Steingraeber Concert Grand piano. I had never played one andhad heard they were remarkable pianos (and in fact they are). R Kassman is the only authorized Steingraeber dealer in the Bay Area. So I decided to check him out.
BAD MISTAKE! As soon as I walked in the store he glared at me and my friend like we were bums on the street walking in his store. So I start looking around and finally I decided to sit and try out this beautiful Steinway D (that I hear is still sitting in his store 4 years later btw). He yells out «DON’T BANG ON THE PIANO! I KNOW THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE ABOUT TO DO!!!» Mind you I’m a SFCM trained pianist and I’ve been playing since 4 years old.
So in shock I removed my hands from the keys like touching a hot potato. He then asked me to get up and try the Steingraeber. So I got up and went to the piano and I put my hand out to touch the keys as he glared in disgust. The whole time I felt like I was being x-​rayed. I felt so uncomfortable.
I played about three measures from Rachmaninoff’s Sonata no 2 and I suddenly got up and decided I no longer wanted to be there. Buying a piano is a spiritual experience for me.
I need to be able to sit and play the piano. Get a chance to see what it can do. What colors and shades can I create and so on. However he made me feel like the piano was my enemy and that touching it would result in some kind of bad curse. I swear looks like a warlock the way he glares at you.
Being in the market for a second piano I recently considered going their again and giving him another chance. But seeing comments as recent as 01/​18/​2014 still show him as the mental case most seem to agree he is, I think I will continue to go to Piedmont Piano Company or Peninsula Yamaha in San Jose. At least they allow customers to play until their hearts content while they find and bond with the instrument of their liking. I encourage potential customers to take their dollars elsewhere. You don’t have to be treated in the manner in which he treats his customers.
To the person who got the law-​suit don’t worry. Just show the judge the Unilocal reviews and she/​he will see what a loon R. Kassman is. I’m sure you can gather a multitude of testimonies. You are MORE than welcome to use mine!

I had a very pleasant experience dealing with Russell. He was very helpful, knowledgable and very honest speaking his mind which some may find offensive I guess based on other reviews. I searched dozens of stores for over 6 months and this is where I bought my piano and have no regrets. I would say go see for yourself before relying on these reviews as he has a lot to offer.

These comments about Kassman’s are so funny! Three or so years ago, my husband and daughter went into Kassman’s while we were piano shopping. She has been playing since she was five, and is a national piano guild top student. The reception was so nasty and condescending… they were told that they couldn’t touch the pianos! I thought it was just us! But I see that it isn’t.
So…we went over to DC Pianos and bought a gorgeous piano located by our piano tuner: a mid-1960’s Baldwin concert grand that is completely marvelous. We couldn’t be more delighted… and we didn’t have any snooty attitude to get it!

I just received a lawsuit for defamation from Kassman for posting on Unilocal !
How can anyone possibly defame this guy after all these reviews based on first hand experiences of various people since years!

Russell is not an honest salesman, is unpleasant to deal with, his prices are just short of a ripoff, and he hunts down missed customers on forums to continue to belittle them.
I won’t bore everyone here with the blow-​by-​blow so I’ll just highlight things.
He puts ads in Craigslist for Yamaha’s and Kawai’s as a bait. But when you get there he basically tells you how they’re not good pianos and switches you over to his Brodmann’s.
He then tells you how Brodmann is basically a Bosendorfer, made by the same guys, Viennese company, etc… only to tell you as you’re walking out the door that the «cabinet» was «assembled» in China. Truth is, it’s completely made in China just like his Ritmullers and Baldwins.
He then quotes me which were higher than brand new comparable sized Yamaha and Kawai’s, which is ridiculous given the near zero labor costs in China, this new unheard of brand. Perhaps he’ll accept a lower offer, but he’s hoping to catch suckers this way instead of offering a more fair initial asking price. Sign of a sleazy salesman.
While talking to him he snapped at me a couple times. Once when I was using my phone as a flashlight to look at the soundboard he was describing. Then another time when I said the word Yamaha and he quickly snapped at me and said, «we don’t talk about other pianos here.» Which is strange given he advertises he has Yamaha’s.
And perhaps worse of all he finds me on a web forum about pianos and continues to harass me there.