Steinway & Sons

The pianos are the best but three promises of delivery times were broken twice. Mixed reviews here.

Contacted Steinway to host a recital in their hall. To my surprise, the hall is free of charge for student recitals. Wow!
Worked with Joy throughout the process. It was so easy to set up the date. You have to come in before to do a short orientation. This is a great idea, you can see the set up of the recital hall and get a lay of the land. The recital hall has 2 pianos — great if your students are doing a duet. Joy is extremely knowledgeable and taught us a lot about the beautiful pianos on display. Buying a Steinway is now definitely on the back of my mind for whenever I have a place of my own!
The recital went smoothly. Some of my students were too shy to practice in the actual recital hall so Joy showed us to a private room where they could rehearse with the door closed. Excellent customer service! The recital was short and simple and my students got the chance to play on a beautiful piano.
Only downsides — 1) there isn’t a parking lot, I pay $ 5 and park in the lot thats literally 20 steps away. 2) no food or drink allowed in the gallery — only a downside if you wanted to have refreshments after the recital.
Also, conveniently located next to downtown pasadena. Great to walk around and milk that $ 5 you spent on parking. Will definitely keep this location in mind for future recitals!

After shopping at several piano stores as well as on-​line for a Steinway piano, I visited Steinway Piano Gallery in Pasadena after a friend’s recommendation. As someone who plays piano well, I’m rather picky when it comes to the tone and touch of a piano. Since this was going to be a ‘lifetime purchase’ of my dream piano, I was going to take my time. My salesperson Alissa was very patient as I spent countless hours playing all the Steinways they had in their showroom. I was blown away with the consistency and quality of every new and used piano they had in their store. I think it helps that the showroom is owned by Steinway & Sons directly. I ended up purchasing a new Steinway Model B (7′ grand piano) and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Highly recommended this place if you’re in the market for a piano!

I had a Boston UP-​118S PE piano delivered to my new place in Santa Barbara this week. Being part of the Steinway family, this piano totally rocks! First, it is like a vertical grand in its tone quality. Second, the design is Steinway’s although it is built by Kawaii — they use many of the Steinway patents. Third, I can trade up later to a New York Steinway and get credit! Best of all, I am getting this on rental for $ 78 per month including tax! They also have excellent financing options.
I should note that not only are these great instruments, but Steinway pianos, while expensive, actually appreciate in value like houses used to! It is great to now be part of the Steinway family.
If you need a piano but don’t have the dough, keep in mind that there is a Steinway piano in your budget whether it’s the actual Steinway, or the Boston or Essex label. Essex uprights rent for as low as $ 39 per month! This dealership has locations in Pasadena and West Hollywood.
What I have to say about this particular upright piano (of course I eventually want a Steinway grand) is that it makes a beautiful sound, and it’s the kind of sound that makes you WANT to play the piano. Also, the UP-​118S PE (UP = UpRight; PE = Performance Edition) is an institutional edition made to be played all day every day for years to come. I am a professional musician with a master’s degree in organ performance from the Jacob’s School of Music at Indiana University, one of the world’s premier music schools. So you know my standards are high! Also, my children are starting to study music, and my 10-​year-​old daughter has just taken to the piano. I would never force my children to do anything, but it makes me awfully proud that my daughter is studying music. Of course, this piano will help her reach her goals! I do plan to get a Steinway grand by the time she gets into high school.
Both of my children, ages 6 and 10, have told me they much prefer the sound of an acoustic piano over a digital piano. Of course, if you are in a situation where you need a digital piano, there are some very excellent ones out there. Even so, I will say again that this Boston upright totally rocks!
Finally, I have to say that Steinway has done a great thing by targeting different levels of the piano market. They make pianos to fit any budget, and have rental and financing options for any of their pianos. So how can you lose?

New Steinway gallery in Pasadena.
Friendly & knowledgeable staff.