Piano Buyer by Hannah Beckett: Book Review 2024

Kevin Busse Oct 29, 2024
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Piano Buyer Book by Hannah Beckett

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. 

Piano Buyer by Hannah Beckett is basically a "cheat sheet" about piano prices which provides simple comparisons between the MSRP and the "Suggested Maximum Price" (SMP) that one should maximally pay for a piano.

The author puts forth consideration of various factors like dealership size, financing vs. cash, geographical area, trade-ins, and other factors that may play a role in the deal. The big picture here being that there are many factors the author considered when publishing this book.

Piano Buyer by Hannah Beckett

What does MSRP mean for piano price?

The book clarifies and better explains commonly used piano industry terminology like "MSRP" or Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. It goes over why the term is used and how numbers associated with the term should be interpreted.

What does SMP mean for piano price?

"SMP" or Suggested Maximum Price is a term in this book that was created by the author to represent prices the customer shouldn't pay above. Specifically, prices the author doesn't believe customers should exceed when purchasing a piano.

What's the significance of MSRP vs. SMP?

The difference between these two numbers could save you tens of thousands of dollars. In some cases, close to $100,000 can be saved by learning the author's Suggested Maximum Price (SMP) number.

The most significant differences belong with many pianos at the highest-end of the piano market. This means that the higher the price of piano that one is considering to purchase, the better an idea it is to purchase this book.

Here are some of the brands with the largest discrepancy's between MSRP and SMP:

  • Baldwin

  • Blüthner

  • Bösendorfer

  • Brodmann

  • Estonia

  • Förster, August

  • Grotrian

  • Haessler

  • Hallet, Davis & Co.

  • Hardman, Peck & Co.

  • Kayserburg

  • Knabe

  • Pramberger

  • Schimmel

  • Seiler

  • Steinberg

Why do some piano brands not have an MSRP?

The author explores this topic about why some piano manufacturers do not include an MSRP. Learn why this may be the case in the author's exploration of the topic.

Piano Buyer by Hannah Beckett

The book outlines the prices of lesser known brands such as:

  • Cunningham

  • Emerson

  • Geyer

  • Haessler

  • Hupfeld

  • Irmler

  • Kayserburg

  • Palatino

  • Ronisch

  • Schulz, Gebr.

  • Wendl & Lung

This may be useful when purchasing pianos from places on the internet where there are plenty of less popular piano brand names.

Piano Buyer by Hannah Beckett

America's favorite piano company (Steinway) is represented here. Compare the MSRP to the SMP outlined by piano insiders.

Piano Buyer by Hannah Beckett

How much money can you discount from the MSRP on digitals?

Based on the numbers in this book, it's possible to save a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

The brands in this book that show the greatest difference between the MSRP and the author's EP (Estimated Price) are:

  • Casio

  • Dexibell

  • Dynatone

  • Kawai

  • Korg

  • Kurzweil

  • Nord

  • Physis

  • Studiologic

  • Yamaha

The Estimated Price is basically the lowest number that anyone is likely to purchase the keyboard for from a brick and mortar store.

How to compare digital pianos features?

This book also covers the sophisticated qualitative differences between digital keyboard models.

Some of the different features compared are defined and compared in the book such as:

  • Sound source

  • Sustain resonance

  • Polyphony

  • Half pedal

  • Triple-Sensor keys

  • Escapement

  • Ivory texture

  • Bluetooth

  • External storage

  • Warranty

  • Dimensions/weight

Learn more about the definitions of these terms in the book to enhance your ability to compare features.

Piano Buyer by Hannah Beckett

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Disclosure:  Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.