Bösendorfer is the great Viennese piano maker, one of the very few names spoken of alongside Steinway. We are Yamaha specialists, not a Bösendorfer dealer, so the guides below are honest and independent. They cover the models, how to date a Bösendorfer, what a fair price looks like, and how a well-reconditioned Yamaha compares if the budget is tight.
Models
Bösendorfer Models
Bösendorfer Models
How to read Bösendorfer models, named by length in centimetres, from the small home grands to the concert 280 and the famous Imperial with its extra bass keys.
Bösendorfer Imperial
The Bösendorfer Imperial, the 97-key Viennese flagship: its extra bass keys, its enormous singing sound, what it costs, and who it really suits.
Bösendorfer Grand Pianos
A guide to Bösendorfer grand pianos, named by length in centimetres, from the 155 home grand to the 280 concert grand and the Imperial.
Bösendorfer Upright Pianos
Bösendorfer upright pianos, the rare 120 and tall 130: what they are like, who they suit, what they cost, and a far cheaper Yamaha alternative.
Prices
Bösendorfer Piano Prices
What a Bösendorfer costs, new and used. Among the most expensive pianos made, with strong resale, and a far cheaper Yamaha alternative.
Buying Guide
Buying a Used Bösendorfer
An honest guide to buying a used Bösendorfer: what sets the value, why rarity cuts both ways, and what to check before you buy.
Are Bösendorfer Pianos Good?
Are Bösendorfer pianos good? Yes, they are among the best in the world. What people love, the honest counter-view, and a cheaper alternative.
Used Bösendorfer Pianos for Sale
An honest guide to buying a used Bösendorfer: why they are rare, what to check, what they are worth, and a far cheaper alternative.
Serial Numbers
Bösendorfer Serial Numbers
How to find and read a Bösendorfer serial number to date your piano, where the number is, and what it does and does not tell you.
Comparisons
Bösendorfer vs Steinway
Bösendorfer or Steinway? The Viennese maker compared with Steinway on tone and character, the Imperial’s extra keys, and how to choose.
Bösendorfer vs Yamaha
Bösendorfer or Yamaha grand? Two makers in one family compared on tone and a big price gap, with an honest steer.
Bösendorfer vs Shigeru Kawai
Bösendorfer or Shigeru Kawai? The Viennese maker compared with Kawai’s hand-built flagship on tone, heritage and price.
History
The History of Bösendorfer
The story of Bösendorfer, from Ignaz Bösendorfer’s 1828 Vienna workshop and the Liszt legend to the Viennese sound and Yamaha ownership today.
Who Owns Bösendorfer?
Who owns Bösendorfer? Yamaha, since 2008. The short history, why the pianos are still made in Vienna, and what it means for a buyer.
Restoration
Restoring a Bösendorfer Piano
What restoring a Bösendorfer involves, what it costs, and why the parts used matter, with honest guidance before you buy a restored one.