Big Choices, Low Prices Are Themes of Piano Factory
If you dream of your offspring competing in an international piano competition, you probably already have a piano. But if you don’t, and if you want to introduce a young child to the instrument, then rental may be the best option.
Buying a piano can run from $3,000 to $150,000. Once a definite interest in music is established, you may want to consider a purchase.
Whether you want to rent or are ready to buy, you should spend time at the Piano Factory in Burbank. Recently, manager Dan Kooiman gave a crash course on the state of the piano market:
In the early 1900s, the United States was home to 7,000 piano manufacturers. Today there are four: Steinway, Baldwin, Story & Clark and Mason & Hamlin.
These American pianos are represented here, but it is the European and Asian products that take up most of the space in this 8,000-square-foot warehouse. This is not your usual piano dealer with used, beat-up pianos and a few shiny new models from one or two manufacturers.
You will find many new pianos from Germany, Holland, Russia, Czechoslovakia, Korea and Japan, to name a few of the countries that have captured the world market with such names as Bechstein, Heinrich & Decker, Bechner, Petrof, Samick, Kawai and Yamaha, respectively.
Piano Factory is a wholesaler of pianos, which explains the large inventory and accounts for the good prices. One can save $1,000 on a Kawai studio model, more than $3,000 on a Weinbach grand (made by Petrof) and about $14,000 on a concert grand by Bechstein that lists for $114,156.
The Klassik model from Bechstein sells here for $89,000, with a list of $112,000. These very expensive pianos are the exception, however, and fill the special section called Artist Pianos of Southern California.
But there are deals on top concert grands as well as studio and smaller grand pianos. This is a store for the serious piano buyer and for the sharp bargain shopper looking for top quality.
And you’ll appreciate the price guarantee: “If within 180 days from the date of purchase you should find the same item advertised for less by an authorized dealer, we will refund the difference, plus 33% of the difference (must include all benefits).”
Piano Factory, 1033 Hollywood Way, Burbank; (818) 954-8500. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Major credit cards. Web site: www.pianofactory.com.
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Weekend Super Sale: More than 50% of the gift accessories at Homemakers are half-off, and many of the famous-name home furnishings are also reduced from 50% to 80%.
An American Drew highboy in cherry was $1,799 but is on sale at $999. Bassett Mission sofas that were $1,549 are now $499. End tables go from $69, coffee tables from $99. Many of these are floor samples, and the selection is terrific. Homemakers, 18901 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita; (805) 252-6052.
