Vertical Pianos

Vertical pianos come in many different shapes and sizes, but in general conform to one of the following:

Spinet: The smallest of the verticals, this model is typically between 36in. and 39in. in height Originally introduced in the mid-'30's, they are regarded more for their efficient use of space than their sonic quality. Utilizes a drop-action mechanism which, while space-efficient, is more complex in design than other verticals; therefore, resulting in more costly repairs.


Console: This model typically comes in the 40in. to 44in. height range and is probably the most common vertical piano found in households today. While still small in stature, a console is a worthwhile upgrade from a spinet due to its direct-action design.




Studio/Apartment Upright: This category of piano is usually manufactured in the 44in. to 48in. height range. Also popular in the home and a favorite of many music schools and teachers, the studio/apartment upright benefits from a direct-action design and an increased string length and scale. Also known as a "school" upright.



Full Upright: The Grand-Daddy of the verticals. This piano typically boasts a height range of 48in. to 52in. These bohemoths impress not only with their size but with their sound, with some having longer string lengths than most baby grands. In some cases, it is better to buy/own a quality full-sized upright than a lesser quality baby grand. In fact, some manufacturers used to call their tallest verticals "Upright Grands".

To see the horizontal pianos page, click here.