8 Best Wood Types On Pianos
Are you curious about what type of wood pianos are made from?
Sometimes, when practicing the piano, you may wonder about the type of wood used to make the piano.
When I first started learning piano as a child, I started practicing on a black wooden piano. When I was young, I thought all piano wood was made from the same wood. However, I learned that there are many different types of wood used to make pianos.
Knowing the types of wood that pianos are made of and their characteristics can help you more accurately purchase the piano that is right for you. Additionally, if you use a piano made of wood, you can use it longer than an electric piano and you can hear the vibrating piano sound more vividly.
For those of you who are curious about the types of piano wood or who are thinking of purchasing a piano, in this article we will learn about the eight types of wood used to make pianos, the characteristics of each type, representative piano models for each type of wood, wooden digital pianos, etc.
Is the piano made entirely of wood?
Wood is one of the most important materials when making a piano, but not all parts or materials are made of wood. Many of the structural elements of a piano are made from a variety of materials. For example, wires made of iron or steel form the strings of a piano, and metal parts are used in the pedal mechanism that controls the piano’s sound. Additionally, various types of coated fibers or soft materials can be used to amplify and transmit the piano’s sound. Therefore, pianos are made from a combination of various materials, among which wood is one of the main materials.
8 Wood Types On Pianos
What is the common type of wood used to make a piano? Below we will look at the eight main types of wood used to make pianos.
1. Spruce: Commonly used for piano tops. Spruce wood has strong acoustic properties, producing rich tones.
2. Maple: The wood structure is sturdy and brightly colored, and the wood has unique properties that make it strong, so it is used to create the sturdy structure of pianos.
3. Walnut: Often used for the piano’s clear tone and beautiful appearance. Walnut wood is famous for being a strong and stable wood.
4. Mahogany: Mahogany is used for piano pillars and keyboard keys. It offers deep, rich tones and a luxurious appearance.
5. Ebony: Famous for its black color, Ebony is used for the black keys of pianos. It is hard and durable, and forms an externally beautiful part of the piano
6. Oak: Oak is a strong wood used in the structural elements of pianos, providing durability and strength.
7. Rosewood: Rosewood is used in the aesthetically pleasing parts of pianos and emphasizes the piano’s warm, rich sound. Its density and unique texture make rosewood a popular choice for piano construction.
8. Cherry: Cherry wood is used to accentuate the piano’s rich tone and beautiful appearance. It has a pale color and soft texture, which contributes to highlighting the piano’s luxurious appearance.
These different woods are used, and each has its own characteristics that affect the sound and appearance of the piano.
8 Features of Wood Types On Pianos
Type 1. Spruce
A piano made of spruce wood has the following characteristics.
- Quality of tone: Spruce is one of the trees widely used in piano construction, providing excellent tone and rich resonance. This tends to result in clearer, clearer tones and a wider dynamic range.
- Responsiveness: Spruce wood has an excellent ability to transmit sound quickly, so it responds sensitively to the player’s touch. This helps the performer achieve a variety of musical expressions.
- Durability: Spruce wood has impact-resistant properties, allowing it to maintain stable performance over a long period of time.
- Price: Pianos made from spruce are generally more expensive than other types of wood, but their quality and tone are superior.
- Design: Spruce is a very popular wood for piano construction due to its unique scent and aesthetic appearance. Therefore, pianos made from spruce wood boast a luxurious and elegant design.
These characteristics make spruce very popular among pianists who desire a luxurious tone and elegant appearance.
Type 2. Maple
A piano made of maple has the following characteristics.
- Bright and vivid tone: Maple provides a bright and vivid tone, emphasizing the transparency and accuracy of music. This provides excellent tonal separation and balance, helping players delicately manipulate musical expression.
- Accurate sound transmission: Maple is a hard wood often used in piano production and has the ability to accurately transmit sound. It responds sensitively to the player’s touch and helps enable precise playing.
- Durability: Maple has a strong structure and durability, providing stable performance over a long period of time. You can maintain your piano’s sound quality and performance for a long time.
- Luxurious Appearance: Maple has a luxurious density and fine texture, giving the piano a more outstanding appearance. In particular, the bright colors and delicate curves of the wood make the piano aesthetically appealing.
- Price: Maple is generally available at a relatively low price compared to spruce and other premium woods. Therefore, you can get a high quality piano at a relatively low price.
These characteristics make maple very popular among pianists who desire a bright, vivid tone and luxurious appearance.
Type 3. Walnut
A piano made of walnut wood has the following characteristics.
- Deep, rich tone: Walnut wood provides a deep, rich tone. This wood adds depth and warmth to the tone, making the piano sound rich and luxurious.
- Elegant Appearance: Walnut wood has a luxurious appearance, giving the piano an elegant and sophisticated look. Its texture and color make the piano aesthetically appealing.
- Durability: Walnut wood is sturdy and durable, allowing your piano to maintain its stability and performance for a long time. This ensures stable sound while using the piano.
- Expensive design: Walnut wood is a highly expensive wood, and pianos made using it provide rich tones and luxurious designs. This is very popular among professional piano users or elite musicians.
- Uniform sound: Walnut wood has the ability to transmit sound evenly, helping performers accurately express music. This helps the performer freely express themselves musically.
These characteristics make pianos made of walnut wood superior in tone and design, making them very popular among players seeking musical expression.
Type 4. Mahogany
A piano made of mahogany has the following characteristics.
Warm, rich tone: Mahogany provides a warm, deep tone, enriching the piano’s sound. These features provide players with a comfortable and sweet playing experience.
Traditional value: Mahogany has long been used to make fine furniture and musical instruments, and is traditionally considered a valuable wood. This raises awareness that pianos made of mahogany have traditional and historical value.
Responsiveness: Mahogany wood responds sensitively to the player’s touch, delivering musical expression naturally. This helps the performer deliver an emotional performance.
Durability: Mahogany is a strong and durable wood that ensures the stability of your piano. This ensures that the piano can be used for a long period of time and maintains acoustic consistency.
Elegant Appearance: Mahogany gives your piano an elegant and luxurious appearance due to its deep color and rich texture. This makes the piano stand out more.
Due to these characteristics, pianos made of mahogany have a warm, rich tone and an elegant appearance, and are evaluated as pianos that provide high satisfaction to players.
Type 5. Ebony
Pianos made of Ebony have the following characteristics.
- Excellent acoustic properties: Ebony is considered an excellent material for improving the acoustic properties of pianos. Its density and texture provide clear and deep tones, providing players with an outstanding musical experience.
- Durability and stability: Ebony is a wood with high strength and durability, which contributes to maintaining the stability of the piano. This ensures the piano’s tuning and acoustic consistency, allowing it to be used for a long time.
- Luxurious Appearance: With its black color and soft texture, Ebony gives your piano a luxurious appearance. This makes the piano stand out in a concert hall or music room.
- Solid touch and sensitive response: Ebony keys respond sensitively to the player’s touch, providing high player convenience. Additionally, its density and matte nature give piano keys a solid and stable feel.
- Traditional value: Ebony is recognized as a traditional wood used since ancient times to make expensive furniture and musical instruments. This raises awareness that pianos made of Ebony have traditional and historical value.
Due to these characteristics, pianos made from glove wood are considered luxurious, rich in tone, and durable.
Type 6. Oak
Pianos made of Oak have the following characteristics.
- Strong structure: Oak is a wood with high density and strength, providing structural stability to the piano. This improves the durability of the piano and ensures that it can be used for a long time.
- Natural sound: Oak provides a natural, warm sound that enriches the piano’s tone. Its density and texture bring out rich highs and deep lows, providing players with a rich musical experience.
- Elegant Appearance: Oak gives your piano an elegant and noble appearance with its rich texture and luxurious colors. This makes the piano an eye-catcher in a concert hall or living room.
- Expensive Wood: Oak is recognized as one of the expensive woods. Due to its unique properties and beautiful texture, it is widely used in making expensive furniture and musical instruments.
- Custom Designs: Oak can create pianos in a variety of designs with a variety of finishes and color processes.
This helps us create a custom piano tailored to your taste and style.
Pianos made of Oak are valued as decorative and expensive instruments for their rich tone and elegant appearance.
Type 7. Rosewood
Pianos made of rosewood have the following characteristics.
- Luxurious sound: Rosewood provides a soft, warm sound that enriches the piano’s tone. Its density and unique acoustic characteristics provide performers with a rich musical experience.
- Beautiful Appearance: Rosewood gives your piano a beautiful appearance with its characteristic reddish-brown color and unique texture. This makes the piano stand out in a concert hall or living room.
- Durability: Rosewood is a naturally durable wood that provides structural stability to the piano. This improves the durability of the piano and ensures that it can be used for a long time.
- Expensive wood: Rosewood is considered one of the most expensive woods, and is loved by many performers and collectors for its beautiful appearance and excellent acoustics.
- Custom Design: Rosewood is used to create custom pianos tailored to the customer’s taste and style, with a variety of finishes and color treatments available to create pianos in a variety of designs.
Pianos made of rosewood are considered decorative and expensive instruments for their luxurious tone and beautiful appearance.
Type 8. Cherry
A piano made of cherry has the following characteristics.
- Soft sound: Cherry provides a soft, warm sound that enriches the tone of the piano. Its unique acoustic characteristics provide performers with an elegant and sweet musical experience.
- Beautiful Appearance: Cherry gives your piano a beautiful appearance with its bright red color and luxurious texture. This makes the piano an eye-catcher in a concert hall or living room.
- Durability: Cherry is a naturally durable wood that provides structural stability to the piano. This improves the durability of the piano and ensures that it can be used for a long time.
- Expensive wood: Cherry is considered one of the most expensive woods, and is loved by many performers and collectors for its beautiful color and sound.
- Custom Designs: Cherry can create pianos in a variety of designs using a variety of finishes and color processes. This is used to create custom pianos tailored to the customer’s taste and style.
Pianos made of cherry are valued as decorative and expensive instruments for their soft tone and beautiful appearance.
Which wood piano is best?
Which wood piano is best can be subjective. However, most experts say that the tree that has the greatest influence on the sound of a piano is spruce. Spruce wood is mainly used for the keyboard and frame of pianos, and its hard and elastic properties provide rich tones and balanced sound. However, different woods may be used in different parts, depending on the piano manufacturer’s design and preferences. Therefore, when choosing the best piano, it is important to compare individual models and consider sound quality, durability, design, etc.
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Representative piano models from each of 8 wood types
1. Spruce
Spruce is one of the most widely used woods in piano construction, contributing to a richer sound. Three representative piano models made from spruce wood are.
- Steinway & Sons Model D: Steinway is one of the most famous piano brands in the world, and its representative model made from spruce is the Model D. This model is known for its luxurious tone and outstanding playing experience, making it very popular among professional players.
- Bösendorfer 280VC: Bösendorfer is an Austrian piano manufacturer. One of the pianos made using spruce wood is the 280VC model, which boasts excellent acoustics and rich tones. This model is famous for its unique design and excellent sound quality, making it a piano that combines tradition and modernity.
- Yamaha CFX: The Yamaha CFX is one of the spruce piano models manufactured by Yamaha of Japan. This model is known for its modern design and excellent sound quality, and is one of the popular models chosen by many players at international piano competitions.
2. Maple
Maple is one of the woods widely used in piano making and is famous for its rich sound and excellent durability. Three representative maple piano models are.
- Schnabel K 280: Schnabel is a traditional German piano brand, and its maple K 280 model boasts excellent sound quality and delicate acoustics. This model is highly regarded among piano players and is one of Schnabel’s representative works that continues its long tradition.
- Cable Nelson CN218: Cable Nelson is an American piano brand, and its maple-made CN218 model is known for its excellent sound and sturdy construction. This model is popular with many pianists for its reasonable price and excellent performance.
- Blüthner Model 1: Blüthner is a traditional German piano manufacturer, and its Maple 1 model is famous for its luxurious sound quality and beautiful design. This model offers rich tones and an elegant playing experience, making it the choice of many pianists.
3. Walnut
Walnut is one of the premium woods used to make pianos and is famous for its unique rich color and elegant texture. Three representative piano models made from walnut wood are.
- Steinway Model M: Steinway is a legendary piano brand, and its walnut-wood Model M is popular for its luxurious appearance and excellent sound quality. This model combines the unique elegant color of walnut wood with excellent acoustics to provide players with a great playing experience.
- Yamaha C3X: Yamaha is a world-renowned piano brand, and its walnut-wood C3X model boasts a modern design and superior sound quality. This model combines the luxurious appearance of walnut wood with Yamaha’s technology, making it very popular among professional players.
- Kawai NOVUS NV10: Kawai is a major Japanese piano brand. The NOVUS NV10 model, made of walnut wood, is an innovative digital grand piano that offers outstanding digital sound quality along with the luxurious appearance of walnut wood. This model combines a luxurious walnut exterior with cutting-edge technology to provide a unique playing experience.
4. Mahogany
Mahogany is one of the premium woods widely used in piano making, and is famous for its unique deep color and luxurious texture. Three representative piano models made from mahogany are.
- Bösendorfer 225: Bettizzini is a traditional Austrian piano brand. The mahogany 225 model is famous for its elegant design and excellent sound quality. This model features the deep color and rich sound of mahogany, providing an outstanding playing experience along with a luxurious appearance.
- Steinway Model B: Steinway is a legendary piano brand, and its mahogany Model B is praised for its excellent sound quality and beautiful design. This model showcases the rich color and deep sound of mahogany, providing players with an outstanding playing experience.
- Kawai GX-2: Kawai is a major Japanese piano brand, and its mahogany-made GX-2 model is popular for its modern design and excellent sound quality. This model combines the luxurious appearance of mahogany with rich sound, providing players with a great playing experience.
5. Ebony
Ebony is one of the high quality woods often used in piano making. This wood is used for parts such as piano keys and keycaps, and is famous for its unique dark and deep color. Three representative piano models made from glove wood are.
- Steinway Model D: The Steinway Model D is a legendary grand piano featuring keycaps and keys made from armored wood. This model is loved by world-class pianists for its excellent sound quality and sophisticated design.
- Bösendorfer 290 Imperial: Bösendorfer 290 Imperial is a high-quality piano brand from Austria that boasts keycaps and keys made from armored wood. This model is renowned for its deep, rich sound and exceptional player comfort, combining traditional style with modern technology.
- Blüthner Model 1: Blüthner Model 1 is a prestigious German piano brand and features keys and keycaps made from glove wood. This model is famous for its delicate sound quality and rich tone, combining traditional European style with modern technology.
6. Oak
Pianos made of Oak are famous for their durability and rich sound. Below are three representative piano models made from Oak.
- Fazioli F212: This model is from Italian piano maker Fazioli and features keys and frame made of Oak. The Fazioli F212 is known for its excellent sound quality and excellent handling, and is loved by musicians around the world.
- Kawai RX-6: Kawai’s RX-6 model is one of Japan’s leading Oak pianos. This model is known for its keycaps and keys made from paulownia wood and its sturdy construction, boasting rich sound and an elegant design.
- Yamaha C7X: The Yamaha C7X is a grand piano with keys and frame made of Oak, part of Yamaha’s premium line. This model is popular for its excellent sound quality and player friendliness, and provides reliable performance over a long period of time.
7. Rosewood
Pianos made of Rosewood boast a warm, rich tone and beautiful appearance. Below are three representative piano models using Rosewood.
- Steinway & Sons Model D: Steinway & Sons’ Model D is one of the legendary grand pianos, featuring a keyboard and frame made of Rosewood. This model is praised for its outstanding sound quality and elegant design, making it one of the preferred choices for world-class musicians.
- Bösendorfer 280VC: The 280VC model from Bösendorfer is a traditional Austrian piano brand, with keys made of Rosewood and a sturdy frame. This model is famous for its rich tone and excellent musical expression, and is also attracting attention for its sophisticated design.
- Bechstein D 282: The D 282 model from Bechstein is a traditional German piano brand and features a keyboard and frame made of Rosewood. This model is known for its excellent sound quality and comfortable playability, and boasts stable performance over a long period of time.
8. Cherry
Pianos made of cherry are known for their luxurious appearance and delicate tone. Below is a representative piano model using cherry.
- Baldwin SD-10: The SD-10 from Baldwin is a leading American piano brand and features a keyboard and frame made of cherry wood. This model is famous for its rich tone and powerful musical expression, and is also attracting attention for its luxurious appearance.
- Mason & Hamlin Model BB: Mason & Hamlin’s Model BB is a classic American piano maker with keys and sturdy frames made of cherry wood. This model is popular for its warm tone and elegant design, providing high satisfaction to players.
- Yamaha C5X: Yamaha’s C5X is a leading Japanese piano brand and features a keyboard and frame made of cherry wood. This model is famous for its rich sound quality and stable performance, and is evaluated as a versatile piano suitable for a variety of music genres.
Is the wood used to make grand pianos and upright pianos of the same quality?
The wood used to build grand and upright pianos is generally not of the same quality. Grand pianos are often made using more luxurious woods and more sophisticated workmanship techniques, which is reflected in the grand piano’s better sound quality and performance. Upright pianos, on the other hand, are often built for space saving and economy, and may therefore use less luxurious woods and workmanship.
Are there digital pianos/electronic pianos made of wood?
Yes, some digital/electric pianos may be made of wood. Digital pianos, unlike traditional acoustic pianos, use digital technology to produce sounds. However, some manufacturers use wood to create digital pianos to emphasize their luxurious appearance and acoustic properties. These wood materials can be used to enhance the appearance of digital pianos and give them the feel of a traditional piano.
Representative model of digital piano/electronic piano made of wood
3 representative models of digital pianos/electronic pianos made of wood are as follows.
- Roland DP603: Roland’s DP603 is an electric piano made using acacia wood from Austria. This model is popular because it combines modern design with high-quality acoustics.
- Yamaha AvantGrand N3X: Yamaha’s AvantGrand N3X is an electric piano made using Hotelia wood. This model is popular among professional musicians for its luxurious design and reproduction of the sound of grand pianos used in the field.
- Kawai Novus NV10: Kawai’s Novus NV10 is an electric piano made using pine and persimmon wood. This model has both the modern look and sound of a field-used acoustic piano, making it a favorite among many players.
Frequently Asked Questions 8 Best Wood Types On Pianos
What type of wood is used for pianos?
Pianos are commonly made using a variety of woods such as spruce, maple, mahogany, walnut, oak, and ebony.
What are piano boards made of?
Piano boards, often referred to as soundboards, are typically made of spruce wood due to its acoustic properties that allow for excellent sound resonance.
What kind of wood are Yamaha pianos made of?
Yamaha pianos often feature soundboards made of high-quality spruce wood, renowned for its resonance and durability.
What were old pianos made of?
Older pianos were typically made of a combination of woods such as spruce, maple, mahogany, and other hardwoods, depending on the manufacturer and era.
What is the best wood for a grand piano?
The best wood for a grand piano is often considered to be spruce, particularly for the soundboard due to its ability to produce rich, resonant tones.
Are pianos made from real wood?
Yes, pianos are typically made from real wood, including various types such as spruce, maple, mahogany, walnut, oak, and ebony.
What kind of wood are Steinway pianos made of?
Steinway pianos are renowned for their high-quality construction, often featuring soundboards made of premium spruce wood for optimal sound quality.
Why are pianos made of wood?
Pianos are made of wood because wood offers excellent acoustic properties, allowing for rich sound resonance and tonal qualities essential for musical instruments.
What wood are Steinway grand pianos made from?
Steinway grand pianos are often made from premium spruce wood for the soundboard and high-quality hardwoods such as maple and mahogany for the cabinet and other structural components.
What is the best make of piano?
The best make of piano is subjective and often depends on individual preferences, but renowned brands such as Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, and Bösendorfer are highly regarded for their craftsmanship and quality.
What makes a piano high quality?
A high-quality piano is characterized by superior craftsmanship, premium materials, excellent sound resonance, precise action, durability, and attention to detail in design and construction.
What is the best type of piano?
The best type of piano depends on the player’s needs and preferences. Grand pianos are often favored for their superior sound quality and touch, while upright pianos are more space-efficient. Digital pianos offer versatility and convenience.
8 Best Wood Types On Pianos – Summary
The piano is an instrument made of wood. Because the quality and tone of a piano can vary depending on the type of wood used in its production, we hope that you can choose the piano that is right for you by looking at the characteristics of each wood.
If you go to a piano store, there are many different types of pianos. Take a look at the types of wood used in each piano to choose the best piano for you.
Music conveys happy frequencies to us. Playing the piano can make you feel happy, and you can share those good feelings by letting others hear you play. I hope this article will be helpful to those who are curious about the types of piano wood. 🎹 💞