Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!
Review: A very useful book. The writer must have worked very hard to write it. I little outdated, so ignore the digital piano section. Buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: Very helpful!
Review: After a hiatus of almost 20 years, I decided that the time was right to buy a piano for myself and my young son. Since I had learned on a piano puchased by my parents almost 25years ago, I wasn't really familiar with all the piano makers available or how particular models/brands compared. This book (and the supplement) does a great job of educating any potential buyers on practically every aspect of buying a piano. Thus armed with the book's information, I got a very good value on a piano that I hadn't originally considered. I recommend the book to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Very helpful!
Review: After a hiatus of almost 20 years, I decided that the time was right to buy a piano for myself and my young son. Since I had learned on a piano puchased by my parents almost 25years ago, I wasn't really familiar with all the piano makers available or how particular models/brands compared. This book (and the supplement) does a great job of educating any potential buyers on practically every aspect of buying a piano. Thus armed with the book's information, I got a very good value on a piano that I hadn't originally considered. I recommend the book to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: THE comprehensive reference for piano buyers and owners
Review: After carefully reading this easy-to-understand book, you will be more knowledgeable and better-informed than virtually any salesperson you'll meet. Rather than relying on salespersons' "soundbites," you will have a comprehensive knowledge of the truly important aspects of quality for any piano, used or new, grand or vertical, and be able to compare features from brand to brand or dealer to dealer. Having played the piano for over 30 years, I very much enjoyed learning so much about the construction and features of this instrument. The book validated many of the perceptions which I already held about certain brands, and allowed me to expand my horizons and look at others I hadn't really considered. In fact, I ended up purchasing a higher-quality brand than I expected to, which I hadn't even really considered at the beginning. If you are in the market for ANY piano, or just interested in learning more about pianos, this book is worth far more than its small cost.A final note- if shopping for a new piano, it is ESSENTIAL to also purchase the current Annual Supplement to The Piano Book, which provides cumulative updated information since the publication of the full book, and most importantly, it gives list prices for every new piano available in the U.S., which in my experience were accurate. Mr. Fine also provides extremely helpful advice on expected discounts from list price, and negotiating the selling price with the dealer. I've had two piano teachers and at least one technician recommend The Piano Book to me, and they were absolutely right.
Rating:
Summary: THE comprehensive reference for piano buyers and owners
Review: After carefully reading this easy-to-understand book, you will be more knowledgeable and better-informed than virtually any salesperson you'll meet. Rather than relying on salespersons' "soundbites," you will have a comprehensive knowledge of the truly important aspects of quality for any piano, used or new, grand or vertical, and be able to compare features from brand to brand or dealer to dealer. Having played the piano for over 30 years, I very much enjoyed learning so much about the construction and features of this instrument. The book validated many of the perceptions which I already held about certain brands, and allowed me to expand my horizons and look at others I hadn't really considered. In fact, I ended up purchasing a higher-quality brand than I expected to, which I hadn't even really considered at the beginning. If you are in the market for ANY piano, or just interested in learning more about pianos, this book is worth far more than its small cost. A final note- if shopping for a new piano, it is ESSENTIAL to also purchase the current Annual Supplement to The Piano Book, which provides cumulative updated information since the publication of the full book, and most importantly, it gives list prices for every new piano available in the U.S., which in my experience were accurate. Mr. Fine also provides extremely helpful advice on expected discounts from list price, and negotiating the selling price with the dealer. I've had two piano teachers and at least one technician recommend The Piano Book to me, and they were absolutely right.
Rating: 
Summary: Biased
Review: After studying the piano market for the past six years, I have found it continuosly changing and evolving. I have seen major manufacturers go bancrupt, while nominal brands explode onto the market. It is very disturbing when freinds are mislead by outdated information. This is not the fault of Mr. Fine, but the piano market changes very rapidly and no one would be able to give a definative reveiw of currently produced pianos. This book is an excellent text on how pianos work and what to look for when buying a piano, new or used. Mr. Fines rating is not a fair assessment of some of the brands that are on the market today. So read that part of the book with an open mind.
Rating:
Summary: Thinking of Buying a Piano?
Review: Don't do it!(until you have read this book). As the webmaster for PianoWorld.com, I have a large collection of piano books. This one is the Best! If you are thinking about purchasing a piano, want unbiased information about different major manufacturers or are just curious about what makes them tick, buy this book. Our Web site is dedicated to providing information about pianos, and Mr. Fine's book is the one we often turn to. Well written and easy to follow, it contains an amazing amount of valueable information.
Rating:
Summary: One book recommended by both NOVICES & EXPERTS!!
Review: How can you go wrong? I am so impressed with this book. It was recommended to me by a Registered Piano Technician who saved me from spending too much money without being educated. Buying a new or used piano is something that requires alot of patience, preparation, and education. This book is the perfect investment. Larry Fine begins by the basics of how a piano works and goes on to explain in detail why never to move a piano yourself, to provide a checklist for examining a used piano prior to purchase, to elaborate on room acoustics, and to discuss and evaluate the different brands and their strengths and weakensses. If you need to sell, buy, tune, shop, measure, hear, appraise, evaluate, or clean a piano, Mr. Fine is the BEST place to begin. These FEW things are just the beginning of what this book has to offer. If you are serious about buying or selling a new or used piano, this is your first stop!
Rating:
Summary: Fun as well as useful
Review: I agree with everything said above about how useful this book is--it was my bible when I bought my piano. Moreover, if you love pianos, The Piano Book is also quite a nice read--very informative and thorough. My favorite part is Mr. Fine's reviews of the finest pianos. These are often eloquent, and a stimulus for any reader who likes to daydream about owning a Steinway or comparably fine piano.
Rating:
Summary: A must for piano customers and dealers
Review: I own a music store and have used this book a lot when researching piano brands as well as what to look for in a used piano. There is a lot of valuable information contained in this book. For consumers, this will give a wonderful overview of the things to look for when purchasing a used piano. Highly recommended.
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