139 patents, more than 12,000 parts, nearly a year of work โ the craft behind the name.
Founded in New York in 1853, Steinway & Sons holds 139 piano-making patents. Each grand is built from over 12,000 parts and takes nearly a year to make by hand, with a rich, singing tone that is the default choice of concert halls worldwide.
Steinway & Sons was founded in New York in 1853 by German immigrant Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg, who took the American name Henry E. Steinway. A run of piano-making patents quickly established the company's technical leadership.
To reach European buyers and avoid high import taxes, Steinway opened a Hamburg factory in 1880. Today the New York plant supplies the Americas and Hamburg supplies the rest of the world. Notably, the modern 88-key standard was set by Steinway in the late 1880s and has been followed industry-wide ever since.
Steinway's craft can be summed up in three numbers: 139 patents (the first in 1857), more than 12,000 parts per grand, and nearly a year of hand construction.
Those patents cover the soundboard, bridges, cast-iron plate and striking mechanism. Designs such as the diaphragmatic soundboard and one-piece cast plate are the technical foundation of Steinway's signature tone โ a deep bass and singing sustain.
Steinway grands come in seven principal models, lettered from small to large, to suit different spaces and uses.
| Model | Length | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Model S | approx. 155 cm | Smallest; for compact homes |
| Model M / O / A | approx. 170โ188 cm | Mainstream home to small venues |
| Model B | approx. 211 cm | Hailed as the 'perfect living-room grand' |
| Model D | approx. 274 cm | Concert model; the global hall standard |
Steinway's tone is rich, warm and singing, with broad dynamics and refined touch โ particularly suited to solo and recording work that demands tonal character. That is why it remains the first choice of concert halls, conservatories and professional studios, and of countless leading pianists.
Because Steinways hold their value, the used market is active โ but values vary enormously with year, origin (New York or Hamburg), service history and internal condition.
Before buying, always have a technician check the soundboard for cracks, the wear and response of the action (piano action), and the tightness of the tuning pins. Factory-certified rebuilt models cost more but offer greater assurance of structure and quality.
Because of near-total hand construction, selected materials, nearly a year of build time, and 139 patented technologies that shape the tone. Each grand contains more than 12,000 parts.
Yes. Materials and voicing differ slightly. Hamburg Steinways tend to be brighter and rounder with a glossier finish; New York Steinways are comparatively open. Both are genuine, serving different regional markets.
Steinways hold value, so a well-kept used instrument can be a sound choice. But always have a technician check the soundboard, action (piano action) and tuning pins, and understand its year, origin and service history.
It depends on space. The Model S (around 155 cm) and Model M/O (around 170โ180 cm) suit most homes; if the room is large enough, the Model B (around 211 cm) offers a fuller tone and is considered the ideal living-room grand.
Absolutely, but its tonal potential needs proper care to emerge. In Hong Kong's humid climate, regular tuning and stable humidity control are essential to maintaining a Steinway's condition and value.
Whatever brand your piano is, regular tuning and professional care are the keys to its tone and value.
WhatsApp Enquiry