Grand pianos are the crème de la crème in the world of pianos. Unlike vertical pianos, grand pianos’ strings run horizontally, stretching across the length of the body of the piano. This longer string length allows for a noticeably richer sound, deeper bass, and an overall better quality of sound in comparison to vertical pianos. Grand pianos fall into three classes: baby grands, grands, and concert grands.
Baby Grands
Baby grand pianos are the smallest of the grand pianos, typically measuring anywhere between 4’9″ and 5’5″. Baby grands are an attractive option for people who want premium sound quality without sacrificing too much space in their house. There is a large market for new and used baby grands for every budget.
New baby grand pianos typically start at around $15,000 for an entry-level model and can go up to $100,000 or more for highest tier models from top manufacturers. The price of a new baby grand piano also depends on the size, with smaller pianos generally being less expensive than larger ones. There are many good brands of baby grands, and price is very much tied to the quality of the manufacturer. We always recommend going for Yamaha, Steinway, Boston, or Kawai. Here are a few options that we recommend for new baby grands.
Used baby grand pianos can be found at much lower prices than new models. The average used price for a baby grand piano is around $5,000 to $15,000, with some older or less well-known brands going for less and certain premium brands retaining their value over time. When buying used, we recommend sticking to some of the more trusted piano manufacturers, such as Yamaha or Steinway. Also, these makes hold their value and can actually increase in value over time compared to lesser-known brands. To find used baby grand pianos for sale, check out Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Craigslist, and local music stores.
Grands
Grand pianos typically measure anywhere between 5’6″ and 6’11”, and have a number of subcategories based on smaller groupings of sizes. Grands are an attractive option for people who want premium sound quality and have a good bit of space to house an instrument.
Grand pianos, put simply, are bigger than baby grands and smaller than concert grands. It’s your “middle of the road” option when it comes to pianos. If you’re a professional musician, a grand piano may be for you. You’ll get a richer sound than a baby grand without having to spend $100,000+ on a concert grand. Honestly, we recommend going for a grand piano over a concert grand, even if you somehow had the cash for a concert grand. Grand pianos will cost you anywhere from $20,000 to around $100,000 or more. Yamaha has a great option for around $31,000 called the GC2. Check out some of the most popular grand pianos below.
Concert Grands
Concert grand pianos measure in at 7 feet to 9 feet long. Concert pianos are very large instruments that require proper care, including regular tuning and maintenance. As the name suggests, concert grands are intended for professional performance, and aren’t really designed for home use, though that doesn’t stop some people from snagging a concert grand for their home.
Concert grands are the biggest of the grand pianos. Their large size allows for very rich sound, high clarity, and and overall premium experience. But, you pay for that premium experience. Concert grand pianos can cost anywhere from $80,000 to $300,000 or more. The Yamaha CFX and the Steinway D are the two most popular concert grand pianos today.
To Sum Up
Grand pianos have many different classes and vary a ton in size, build quality, and sound quality. When considering a purchase as large as a piano, it’s crucial to do the proper research into good brands/manufacturers and the different types of pianos to choose from.