Trying and buying a new piano directly off the off the piano store floor is a wonderful buying option.
You get hands-on experience with that instrument and a great feel for how it is going to perform in your home.
However, you must take into consideration that a new piano fresh from the box will change its tonal characteristics over time because of the break-in period every new piano experiences.
This process goes on for months as it settles into its permanent environment.
Pianos will " brighten up" or get more treble sounding as they mature, and the hammers are compressed with use.
If a piano is voiced too bright when it is new, there is a strong chance it will become glassy and produce overtones as it is played in the future. This too-bright sound will require a voicing down if it gets too bad.
Buying a piano that is voiced a little mellower when new will grow into its designed sound which will be more resonate and natural to that piano.
Some dealers and some manufacturers purposely have their pianos brighter out of the box because they seem to have more presence in the sound on the sales floor. Rest assured that it is probably not the same sound that you will hear in your home a year from purchase so be careful with this as you shop for your new piano.
If it's very bright when new it could be too bright and brassy and have that "tinny sound" down the road.
Let our highly experienced staff help you find the right piano for you!
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Every four years, Warsaw becomes the luminous heart of the classical piano world. The International Chopin Competition is more than a contest — it’s a global ritual of artistry and endurance. For pianists, it is the Mount Everest of performance; for listeners, it is two weeks of breathtaking musical devotion.
But while the audience follows the fate of each pianist, another drama unfolds behind the music — a quieter rivalry that has nothing to do with interpretation or emotion, and everything to do with sound.
Because in Warsaw, the pianists are not the only ones competing. The pianos themselves are.
For more than a century, Steinway & Sons has defined what it means to build a truly exceptional piano. But in 2025, the brand isn’t just honoring tradition — it’s evolving. At Northwest Pianos, we continue to see how Steinway’s balance of craftsmanship and technology keeps it ahead of the curve in a fast-changing industry.
Over the last few years, acoustic pianos have held the prestige. But the tide is shifting. More musicians, educators, and beginners are turning to digital and hybrid models for their flexibility, technological perks, and lower maintenance demands. According to industry reports, the global piano market is now incorporating “smart integration” and “compact designs” as key drivers for growth. The Business Research Company+2PR Newswire+2