Comparing Piano Brands

In case you're in the market for a new or used piano and are somewhat bewildered by the variety of brands on the market, you might want to check out Martha Beth Lewis' article on Piano Brands. She offers information on different sizes, critiques on dozens of brands, and further hints on piano shopping. Among her caveats:

Stencil brand pianos (sometimes called store brands) are common in the US. These are like the house brands at a grocery store. A piano store (usually a nation-wide or at least a regional piano company) buys these from a factory and puts a name on it. Therefore, many "different brands" of pianos - - at varying price points - - are actually from the same factory. And could, in fact, be the same model except for the brand name!

(Via Josh Nemith)