Piano Benches | Adjustable vs Padded vs Hard-Top | Which Type Is Right For You?

 

 If you're shopping for a piano and have either looked at piano bench reviews on Amazon or been to a piano showroom, you've probably noticed that there are lots of different types of wooden frame piano benches out there.

If you're wondering which one is the best piano bench for you, this article will provide you with everything you need to know to make an informed purchase.

If you're going to be spending hours in front of a piano, it's critical that your piano stool is at the right height, and frankly, be comfortable.

There are also aesthetic considerations since if you're purchasing a beautiful grand piano that'll be on-stage or in the home, you'll probably want an equally beautiful, good-quality grand piano bench. In terms of floor protection, virtually all wooden benches come with rubber pads, so there's no concern in that regard.

Otherwise, there's a pretty wide variety of wooden piano benches that you'll encounter, we'll cover several designs and models in this article, so you can determine what will be the best fit for your particular situation.

Duet Hard-Top Piano Benches

Classic duet hard-top wooden bench

Let’s start with the classic duet hard-top wooden bench. This duet bench is an age-old classic, and this was exactly the type of bench that came with virtually every piano prior to 1990 outside of concert-level class instruments by manufacturers such as Steinway and Bechstein.

As far as this type of bench goes, the name is pretty self-explanatory; the top is a flat wooden surface that’s wide enough for two people to sit on, hence why it's referred to as a duet piano bench.

The top will generally flip up on hinges to reveal a storage compartment for easy storage, four wooden legs, and no cushioning on top in most cases, along with a fixed bench height.

Today they typically come standard in an ebony polish high gloss finish, though of course are available in a variety of other finishes as well.

These generally have the most affordable price as far as wooden benches go, and generally feature easy assembly. For some, a padded seat is a must, in the case that one of these won't be the right piano bench for you.

 

Adjustable Padded Bench

The padded cushion adjustable bench generally comes in an ebony polish finish (though other options are available), and is available in two sizes; a duet size, as well as a narrower side, built for one person to sit on.

The top is of course padded for comfort, the height is adjustable via two knobs on either side of the bench, and the material is generally faux leather and tufted.

 

Piano Benches With Storage

Many of these will also include a storage space for sheet music storage and music books, but not all.

These are the most common piano benches available today with piano players, and if adjustable height is a priority, especially if more than one person in the household will be playing, then the option for different heights should plant your focus on this category.

Concert Artist Piano Bench

Quality Piano Benches With Real Leather Cushion

The concert piano bench is essentially an enhanced, commercial-grade version of the standard adjustable padded bench.

Improvements include legs built with thicker, higher-quality solid hardwood, steel construction for the height adjustment (greater durability), as well as much higher quality upholstery for the top.

They also feature high-quality foam and leather or leatherette that is built to last and withstand the test of time. If you're looking for a super comfortable bench of the highest quality with a real leather cushion, look here.

 

Wooden Chair

Height-Adjustable Wooden Chair

Very common back in the 1980s (you might recall these from your childhood piano lessons), and while not so common today, this type of bench is still available by special order from some manufacturers.

While these benches sort of look like a large infant high chair, the actual leather seat platform is height adjustable via a jack mechanism. Some folks swear by these benches due to the added back support and solid wood frame.

 

Conclusion

We hope you've enjoyed this brief overview of the type of wooden benches you'll find out in the marketplace in 2020. Try to find something you find comfortable to sit on when you plant yourself in front of the piano or other musical instruments, trust us, you won't regret it!

The post Piano Benches | Adjustable vs Padded vs Hard-Top | Which Type Is Right For You? first appeared on Merriam Pianos

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