Essex Pianos - Designed by Steinway & Sons
Essex pianos were created to make the Steinway-designed piano experience accessible to more families. Combining elegant design, responsive touch, and a warm, expressive tone, Essex offers exceptional value for beginner hobbyists, growing musicians and advanced students.
Designed by Steinway & Sons and built to exacting standards, every Essex piano incorporates many of the musical principles that have made Steinway the world's most respected piano maker. Each instrument is carefully inspected and prepared before reaching your home, ensuring years of reliable performance and enjoyment.
Why We Like Essex Pianos:
✓ Proven Durability since we started carrying them in 2008
✓ Proven to withstand Alberta’s climate extremely well
✓ Steinway’s approach offers dependable performance.
✓ Robust, warm, and full tone compared to other brands.
✓ Excellent choice for first piano or upgrade from digital.
Over the years, we've helped thousands of families choose their first piano. While there are many instruments available at the entry level, Essex consistently stands out for its combination of musical performance, design, and long-term value.
For buyers seeking more than a basic piano but who may not be ready for the investment of a Boston or Steinway, Essex occupies a unique position in the market. It offers many of the design philosophies developed by Steinway & Sons while remaining attainable for a much wider range of musicians.
How Essex Compares
Essex vs Entry-Level Pianos
Many entry-level pianos focus primarily on affordability. Essex takes a different approach by emphasizing a musical performance based on Steinway specification, especially regarding touch and tone - while remaining competitively priced. For example, The Essex EUP123s piano is often compared to the Yamaha U1 as the size and performance are similar.
Essex vs Boston
Boston pianos offer a higher level of refinement, greater tonal complexity, and additional performance features. However, Essex delivers remarkable value and remains one of the most compelling options for budget-conscious buyers seeking a Steinway-designed instrument.
Essex vs Used Pianos
Many buyers compare a new Essex against a used piano. While some used instruments can offer excellent value, a new Essex provides the confidence of modern construction, warranty protection, and predictable long-term reliability.
Available Essex Grand Models
Essex EGP173 – 5'8"
A larger grand piano offering greater tonal depth, projection, and dynamic range.
Our thoughts: The sweet spot of the Essex grand lineup. If room and budget allow, this is often the model we recommend most frequently.
Essex EGP155 – 5'1" grand piano
A compact grand piano with impressive performance.
Our thoughts: Surprising quality and the best entry-level grand piano available today. Perfect for families wanting the beauty and Steinway experience without overwhelming their budget, or space.
Available Essex Upright Models
Essex EUP-111e 44” Upright Piano
A compact upright piano designed for homes, condos, and smaller spaces where every inch matters without sacrificing the enjoyment of an acoustic piano.
Our thoughts: Little but mighty, the EUP111e is a compact piano with quite the punch - you’d be hard pressed to find a piano under 45” that has this type of performance.
Essex EUP123EK 48.5” Designer Piano
A high-performance designer piano that combines the musical capabilities of the EUP123 piano fitted in a hand rubbed matt satin ebony finish with nickel / brushed silver hardware - a modern chic finish.
Our thoughts: Offering the same performance as all other EUP123 models, The EUP123EK cabinetry is particularly well suited for a modern home where design details matter.
Essex EUP116 46.5” Studio Piano
Offering greater tonal richness and projection than smaller uprights, the EUP116E strikes an excellent balance between size, performance, and value.
Our thoughts: This is often a sweet spot for families seeking a piano that can support many years of musical growth. It delivers a noticeably fuller sound than compact uprights while remaining easy to accommodate in most homes.
Essex EUP123e 48.5” Studio Piano
A professional-height upright piano offering impressive dynamic range, along with a built-in practice mute rail for quieter playing.
Our thoughts: The EUP123E is one of our favourite Essex uprights. Its taller cabinet allows for longer strings and a richer, more resonant sound, while the practice mute rail provides added flexibility for evening practice or households with shared living spaces. For many families, it delivers the closest experience to a grand piano without requiring the floor space.
Essex EUP116EC 46.5” Studio Piano
Combining the musical performance of the EUP116E with a refined cabinet design, the EUP116EC brings elegance and versatility to any living space.
Our Thoughts: For buyers who view their piano as both an instrument and a piece of furniture, the EUP116EC offers a wonderful combination of musical enjoyment and visual appeal. It is an excellent option for a traditional home where modern aesthetics are just as important as performance.
Essex EUP-123s 48.5” Studio Piano
Our best selling upright piano! A professional-quality upright that offers impressive tone and reliable touch in a school designed cabinet.
Our thoughts: This piano has surpassed all expectations for an ‘entry level’ priced piano - it is a serious, workhorse of a piano. We like the aesthetic features of the wide music desk, locking top lid, and grand piano-like arms. Overall construction with thicker legs and toe blocks make this piano very durable.
FAQs on Essex pianos
Are Essex pianos made by Steinway?
Essex pianos were fully drawn out and designed at the Steinway factory. Once the designs were established, they selected a manufacturing facility capable of producing the instruments based Steinway design principles. Manufacturing takes place in carefully selected facilities operating to Steinway's specifications for scale, materials and quality standards.
Is Essex a good piano?
Yes, absolutely. We believe Essex represents one of the strongest values available in the entry-level and mid-market piano categories, particularly for families, students, and hobbyists.
How long will an Essex piano last?
With proper care and maintenance, an Essex piano can provide decades of musical enjoyment and serve multiple generations of players.
Should I buy an Essex or a used piano?
The answer depends on your goals and budget. Many clients compare new Essex models with used instruments, and we're happy to help evaluate both options.
How does Essex compare to a Yamaha and Kawai?
We encourage every buyer to compare Essex, Yamaha, and Kawai side by side. All are respected brands, but many clients are surprised by how much performance and tonal richness Essex delivers for the investment.
Introduction to
the family of Steinway pianos
Please reach out to us using the Contact button below