Don't be too surprised when you buy a grand piano in Singapore. Most people get taken aback when they learn the price of high-quality pianos. There are many reasons why pianos are expensive.
For starters, pianos being handmade give the instrument's exclusivity. The craftsmanship of the artisans that assemble the piano also adds to the price. Most importantly, the materials used in the pianos are rare. It is why there is a wide gap in the piano price comparison between digital and acoustic piano.
Here are the materials that drive the piano price in Singapore:
1.Wood
Wood is used in the cabinet, braces, and soundboard of the piano. Piano manufacturers only use the finest particular wood. Some use spruce, while others prefer maple. For example, Steinway & Sons only use Sitka spruce from North America. Believe it or not, using a different wood could muffle the sound of the piano and drastically affect the strength of its structure. So the next time you visit a piano shop in Singapore, you know the pianos are made of the finest wood.
2.Steel and iron
The piano is considered a string and percussion instrument. Pianos usually use tempered carbon, copper, and iron wires. Each type of steel impacts the tension on the string; how long it can sustain the sound. Piano wires are tremendously expensive.
3.Leather and felt hammers
Piano hammers use either of the two primary materials: leather and wool.
Leather, known for its durable and elastic quality, are a favourite covering for hammerheads. The hammer's sound varies, depending on the softness or hardness of the leather.
Premium wool felt, which strictly come from well-fed and healthy animals, are extremely expensive, too.
4.Ivory and ebony keys
Traditionally, acoustic pianos use ivory from elephant tusks to make piano keys. On the other hand, the black keys use ebony wood. These materials are rare. Manufacturers today have stopped using ivory and ebony for keys and used plastic instead.
Don't be surprised if you see a piano on sale in Singapore that is still very expensive.
Play a world-class piano at Steinway Gallery Singapore.
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