STEINWAY & SONS PIANOS | Handmade in the USA | AZ Piano

Pre-owned Steinway & Sons pianos in Phoenix, Arizona

Steinway & Sons is a piano maker founded in New York City in 1853, with factories in Queens, New York and Hamburg, Germany. Its grands range from the 5'1" Model S to the 8'11¾" Model D concert grand, and a well-cared-for Steinway can stay in service for generations.

AZ Piano offers pre-owned Steinway & Sons pianos in our Phoenix showroom, with current inventory and pricing online.

AZ Piano is an independent seller of pre-owned pianos. We are not an authorized Steinway & Sons dealer and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Steinway & Sons.

Shop pre-owned Steinway Call 602-437-8445

Steinway & Sons at a glance

Founded
March 5, 1853, in Manhattan, by Henry E. Steinway (Heinrich Steinweg)
Factories
Queens, New York (supplies the Americas) and Hamburg, Germany
Grand models
S, M, O, A, B, C and D, from 5'1" to 8'11¾"
Common older model
Model L, a 5'10½" New York grand, later replaced by the Model O
Upright models
Including the 46½" Model 1098 and the 52" Model K-52
Steinway-designed lines
Boston (built by Kawai) and Essex (built by Pearl River)
At AZ Piano
Pre-owned only; AZ Piano is not an authorized Steinway dealer
Where to play one in Arizona
AZ Piano showroom, Phoenix (602-437-8445)

An American piano maker with German roots

German piano builder Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg, who became Henry E. Steinway, founded Steinway & Sons in Manhattan in 1853. The company grew into one of the most famous names in piano making, moved to a larger factory in Queens, New York, and opened a second factory in Hamburg, Germany in 1880.

The two factories build closely related pianos. The New York factory supplies the Americas, and Hamburg supplies the rest of the world, so most pre-owned Steinways in Arizona were made in New York. Hamburg-built pianos also appear on the used market, and the Hamburg factory offers the 7'5" Model C, which New York doesn't.

Steinway grands are known for a rich, singing tone, a wide dynamic range and a long history on the world's concert stages, which is why a good pre-owned Steinway holds its appeal and value.

  1. 1853Henry E. Steinway founds Steinway & Sons in Manhattan.
  2. 1880Theodore Steinway opens the Hamburg, Germany factory.
  3. 1884The first Model D concert grand is built.
  4. 1930sThe 5'1" Model S baby grand is introduced.
  5. 2013Investment firm Paulson & Co. acquires Steinway.
  6. 2015Steinway introduces its Spirio high-resolution player piano.

Steinway grand piano models and sizes

On a pre-owned Steinway, the model letter tells you the size, and size shapes bass depth, projection and power. The bars are drawn to scale against the Model D concert grand.

  • Model SBaby grand
    5' 1"155 cm

    The smallest Steinway grand, introduced in the 1930s to bring the Steinway sound into smaller rooms.

  • Model MMedium grand
    5' 7"170 cm

    Introduced in the 1910s and one of the most common pre-owned Steinways, a favorite size for homes.

  • Model L / OLiving room grand
    5' 10½"180 cm

    New York built the Model L for decades; the Model O design was later chosen as Steinway's single near-6-foot grand.

  • Model ASalon grand
    6' 2"188 cm

    A step up in bass and projection for larger living rooms and studios.

  • Model BClassic grand
    6' 10½"211 cm

    Often called the most versatile Steinway, popular with teachers, studios and schools.

  • Model CSemi-concert grand
    7' 5"227 cm

    Built today in Hamburg only; older New York Model Cs also appear on the used market.

  • Model DConcert grand
    8' 11¾"274 cm

    Steinway's flagship concert grand, first built in 1884 and a fixture of concert halls.

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Steinway, Boston and Essex: know which one you're buying

Steinway & Sons also markets two lower-priced lines. All three appear on the pre-owned market, and the name on the fallboard tells you which one a piano is.

Steinway & SonsBuilt in New York or Hamburg

The original Steinway, with grands from Model S to Model D. These carry the Steinway & Sons name and lyre logo on the fallboard.

BostonDesigned by Steinway, built by Kawai in Japan

A mid-priced line designed by Steinway and built by Kawai. It's a different piano from a Steinway & Sons, priced accordingly.

EssexDesigned by Steinway, built by Pearl River

Steinway's entry-level line, built by Pearl River in China. Also a different piano from a Steinway & Sons.

AZ Piano is Arizona's exclusive dealer for Kawai and Pearl River, the makers behind Boston and Essex, so our staff knows these pianos well.

What makes a Steinway a Steinway

One-piece bent rim

Steinway bends the inner and outer rim of its grands together from layers of hardwood, forming a single continuous rim that supports the soundboard and helps project the tone.

Diaphragmatic soundboard

The soundboard is tapered so it's thicker at the center and thinner toward the edges, letting it move freely like a diaphragm for a full, resonant tone.

Accelerated action

Steinway's action design, refined over generations, is built for fast repetition and precise control, qualities concert pianists value.

Built to be rebuilt

Steinway grands are built to last, and many are restored or rebuilt decades later. That's why age alone doesn't tell you a pre-owned Steinway's condition.

What to check on any pre-owned Steinway

  1. Confirm it's a Steinway & Sons

    Check the fallboard name, the model letter and the cast-iron plate, so you know whether it's a Steinway & Sons, a Boston or an Essex.

  2. Find the age and factory

    The serial number dates the piano and shows whether it was built in New York or Hamburg. Ask us and we'll look it up.

  3. Ask about rebuilding

    Has it been restored or rebuilt, when, and by whom? Ask whether replacement parts are genuine Steinway parts, which can affect value.

  4. Look at the soundboard

    Look for cracks or loose ribs, and listen for sustain and even tone across the keyboard.

  5. Test tuning stability

    A piano that holds its tuning has a sound pinblock, especially important through Arizona's dry air.

  6. Play every key

    Check the action and hammers for even touch, fast repetition and no sticking keys.

Buying a pre-owned Steinway at AZ Piano

Looking for a used Steinway piano in Arizona? Browse our pre-owned Steinway & Sons pianos with current pricing online, or play them in our Phoenix showroom. Our staff will walk you through each piano's model, age and history, and compare it side by side with new pianos from Shigeru Kawai, Mason & Hamlin and more.

Any warranty on a pre-owned piano from AZ Piano is provided by AZ Piano, not by Steinway & Sons. Financing is available.

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Pre-owned Steinway questions

Is AZ Piano an authorized Steinway & Sons dealer?

No. AZ Piano is an independent seller of pre-owned pianos, including pre-owned Steinway & Sons pianos. We are not an authorized Steinway & Sons dealer and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Steinway & Sons. New Steinway pianos are sold only through Steinway's authorized dealers.

Where are Steinway pianos made?

Steinway & Sons pianos are made in Queens, New York and Hamburg, Germany. The New York factory supplies the Americas, so most pre-owned Steinways in the U.S. were built in New York.

What do Steinway model letters mean?

The letter indicates the size of the grand: S (5'1"), M (5'7"), L or O (5'10½"), A (6'2"), B (6'10½"), C (7'5") and D (8'11¾").

What is the difference between Steinway, Boston and Essex?

All three are marketed by Steinway & Sons. Steinway & Sons pianos are built in New York and Hamburg. Boston pianos are designed by Steinway and built by Kawai in Japan, and Essex pianos are designed by Steinway and built by Pearl River. Boston and Essex are lower-priced and are different pianos from a Steinway & Sons.

Is a used Steinway worth buying?

A well-maintained or properly rebuilt Steinway can be an excellent piano for decades. Condition matters more than age, so check the soundboard, pinblock, action and rebuild history, and play it before you buy.

Does a pre-owned Steinway from AZ Piano include a Steinway warranty?

Any warranty on a pre-owned piano from AZ Piano is provided by AZ Piano, not by Steinway & Sons. Ask our staff about the warranty options for the piano you're considering.

Where can I buy a used Steinway in Arizona?

AZ Piano in Phoenix offers pre-owned Steinway & Sons pianos. Call 602-437-8445 to schedule a visit, or browse pre-owned Steinway pianos online.

Steinway, Steinway & Sons, the Lyre logo, Boston, Essex and Spirio are trademarks of Steinway & Sons. AZ Piano (The Arizona Piano Company) is an independent seller of pre-owned pianos and is not affiliated with, authorized by or endorsed by Steinway & Sons.