The World's Finest Pianos
- Steinway's Unsurpassed Instruments: Ebony Grands & Verticals
- The Artists' Choice
- The World's Finest Pianos
- Craftsmanship
- Rich Rewards
- Leadership Through Craftsmanship and Innovation
That which distinguishes Steinway pianos, more than all else, is summed in our dedication to a single ideal: Make the finest pianos in the world. Since the firm was founded in 1853 that ideal and its three basic principles, as stated by our founder Henry E. Steinway, have guided us:
"Build to a standard, not a price."
"Make no compromise in quality."
"Strive always to improve the instrument."
The Steinway Standard
The Steinway standard is to build each instrument to be the finest ever created and, then, as is illustrated by the photographs detailing Steinway craftsmanship on this page, to make the next one even better if possible.
Further, we do not build to match a price point or to fit short-term marketing schemes. Instead, we build our instruments to match the expectations of the world's most demanding critics — people who love music.
It has never entered our minds to compromise quality. Where some have substituted mass-produced, synthetic components to speed production or reduce costs, we apply technologies and new materials only when they provide proven enhancements to the piano.
We adhere to these principles for one reason — compromise quality, and you risk the sound, the touch and, ultimately, the integrity of the instrument.
Leadership Through Innovation
Finally, while we adhere to the traditional values of craftsmanship, Steinway & Sons has also consistently led through innovation. The very earliest pianos crafted by the firm were distinguished by their inventive features. And technical improvements have flowed as a continuous stream ever since, constantly enhancing our instruments.
Today, each Steinway piano is a summation of our commitment to innovation. Each incorporates over 100 patented features and processes, including our patented Diaphragmatic® soundboard, Accelerated Action® and Hexagrip® pinblock, as well as several recent improvements with patents pending.