Description

This article is from the Piano Purchase and Maintenance FAQ, by Isako Hoshino rmmpfaq@yahoo.com with numerous contributions by others.

2.3] What is new in the "The Piano Book", third edition?

The third edition has all new brand reviews (at least to the
extent they need to be revised after four years) based on a
new survey of technicians and the pianos they service.
Baldwin is again included in the book. (They had been left
out of the second edition, because of potential legal
problems.)

The section on shopping for a piano has been revised to
include information and advice on the all too prevalent piano
mega-sales, as well as more ideas on how to negotiate the
best price.

Prices (in the form of price ranges) have been included in
this edition as well as "ratings." The first edition had a
very detailed numerical rating system. Although the general
public loved it because it made buying a piano seem like a
science, it wasn't realistically a good idea and was much
abused by dealers. In reaction, ratings were left out of the
second edition entirely. In the third edition, a much looser
rating system is used that puts piano brands into broad
classifications.

The list of older Steinway models has been revised and
refined quite extensively based on the ongoing historical
research by the list's creator, Roy Kehl.

Additionally, many small changes to technical descriptions of
piano parts, a couple of new illustrations (Fandrich piano
back and action), a little more information on electronic
player pianos, and some new miscellanies are included. Oh
yes -- and a green cover.

Continue to:

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