Raleigh Piano Market booming

[IBruton]

I'm sure that most forumers here don't follow the piano industry much. But, as a professional musician, I know there is much to be learned from the sales of competing piano manufacturers.

Basically, pianos are broken down into five tiers.

Many of the highest end (tier 1 & 2) pianos are now represented in the Raleigh market:

These brands include:

Mason & Hamlin, Fazioli, Bosendorfer, and Steinway (with C. Bechstein soon to arrive)

Tier 3 & 4 include:

Yamaha, Kawai, Baldwin, Schimmel, Estonia, Petrof, Schulze Pollman, Boston, and Pramberger

and then there are various tier 5 (mostly chinese) pianos.

Here is the point:

Typically, most of the Tier 1 and 2, and to some extent, tier 3, manufacturers only have dealers in select large cities. For Raleigh to be represented with so many brands, it goes a long way to suggest that we are becoming a mecca for culture and fine arts. What a great stepping stone for a truly diverse metropolitan area!

It also says something about the education and income levels of people living here. Some of these pianos can cost well over $100,000!! With the average price of the brands listed costing around $45,000! One has to make some pretty good money to purchase a piano that costs that much!

What do you think?

[orulz]

Also of note is that Kawai has a rather large piano manufacturing operation in North Carolina. Kannapolis, I believe.

[IBruton]

Also of note is that Kawai has a rather large piano manufacturing operation in North Carolina. Kannapolis, I believe.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, I believe their U.S. production facility is in Lincolnton.

[orulz]

Ah, you're right. My mistake!

Still in NC, and still near Charlotte, though.

[urbanvb]

Wow, I didn't realize pianos could be so expensive. Still wished I had taken lessons growing up.

[StevenRocks]

Is that building with the awful piano awning on US 70 West still a piano store?

[IBruton]

Is that building with the awful piano awning on US 70 West still a piano store?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, it is the Yamaha and Petrof Dealership (and a few other lesser brands)