Most Frequently Asked Piano Bench Questions
Our company works with the finest American piano furniture manufacturers in the industry.
We offer many styles of fine quality piano benches & stools in a wide variety of leg styles, wood finishes & fine fabrics, and as the premier seller of piano benches online, our large buying power allows us to offer you the lowest prices for the finest quality!
We hope this page will help you to decide which bench is most suitable for you.
What is the difference between a Grand Piano Bench and an Upright Piano Bench?
Answer
A stationery Grand Piano Bench, sometimes called a 'Duet' Bench, is generally between 33" & 35" wide.
The width is proportionate to the size of the instrument and certainly adds elegance to any Grand Piano. This size Bench can be used with Grand Pianos, full size Upright pianos, or with any piano where you'd like two people to sit side by side. There is a choice of Wood Top or Upholstered benches and of course our Standard or Duet Artist or Adjustable benches are perfect for Grand pianos. They are wonderful for growing children or for pianists who sit practicing for long periods of time, thus allowing a change of position affording greater comfort.
A standard Upright Piano Bench is generally 30" wide x 19" high and is used with all sizes of upright pianos from 36" high to 52" high.
Some smaller Spinet pianos look nice with the 25" wide Piano/Keyboard Benches. A Duet bench also looks aesthetically pleasing with larger Full Size Upright pianos (also known as Upright Grands) and are especially good for Teachers who need to sit beside their students.
What is the difference between an Artist Bench & an Adjustable Bench
Answer
Both 'Adjustable' and 'Artist' Benches can move up or down with the side knobs that changes the height of the seat, however a true 'Artist' bench has a Solid Apron around the bench, so you DO NOT see a space when the top is raised.
I saw a bench that looks just like yours on another website, why was their bench cheaper?
Answer
If the bench is from the same manufacturer as ours, we 'Guarantee' to beat any price... please call us!
However, many benches are just Look-a-Likes to ours but are made badly or with inferior materials. Although we cater to every size pocket book, we have maintained our longevity in this business by taking great care to select benches made with only the best Kiln Dried hardwoods (like Maple, Walnut, Mahogany, Oak, Poplar etc), the finest Leathers, Vinyls, Fabrics and Brass hardware, superior construction and effortless adjustable bench mechanisms. Ultimately our benches will last longer.
Remember the old saying, "You only get what you pay for".
When will I receive my bench?
Answer
Many of our benches are in stock and ship within 1 to 2 business days. If you have ordered a fine quality Jansen bench, they are currently taking approximately 4 weeks for manufacturing. (You can't rush quality). We offer Free UPS Ground Shipping on all our benches. 2nd Day Air & Overnight services are available upon request for in stock items.
Is there any assembly required when I get my bench?
Answer
All benches are shipped in a flat box with the legs wrapped separately for safety. They simply get bolted or screwed into each corner of the bench frame with the 4 nuts and bolts included, and it takes no more than a couple of minutes.
Why are some benches more expensive than others?
Answer
1) - Our American manufacturers use only the finest woods, leathers and vinyls and the benches are generally hand made, which justifies a higher price.
2) - 'Diamond Tufting' on an Artist bench is more expensive than just a standard button tufted top. Much more fabric is used to make the hand tufted folds, which results in greater comfort and extends the life of the bench. Diamond tufting can be found on the Jansen artist and adjustable benches.
At Piano Showcase, our furniture experts have taken great care to select only the finest quality benches from the top manufacturers around the world and each bench is fully guaranteed or your money back.
How do I know which Leg Style to select?
Answer
Our benches come with a large variety of leg styles that can be matched to almost any piano. Many of the older pianos have leg styles that are unavailable today, however we have such a large selection, that one of them is sure to be a close match. When in doubt, we recommend just a plain square tapered leg so it won't clash with the style of your piano.
Will the bench color be a close match to my piano?
Answer
The sample bench colors we show on our website are a close reproduction of our bench stains and in general are a fair match to most pianos. However, it's not exact and should not be used if an exact match is required. Our benches are made of many different types of Hardwoods which have various porosity levels and do not absorb stains equally. There are significant color differences among the various wood species. When stained, this color difference causes intensity variations. The woods contain grain characteristics such as mineral streaks and pin knots that affect the color and intensity of each individual piece. And don't forget, different computer monitors show color hues just a bit differently.
The best way to describe the difference between our Walnut & Mahogany colors, is that the Walnut benches are more of a yellowish brown and Mahogany has a touch of red in it. With over 12,000 different makes of pianos, some new and some very old and faded, if you require an 'exact' match, it's our recommendation that that you purchase one of our 'Unfinished' benches and color match it on site by a technician.
Why buy Leather when Vinyl is so much less expensive?
Answer
The choice is a personal preference and a matter of budget. The Vinyl & Naugahyde fabrics used on all Piano Showcase benches and especially the top quality benches manufactured by Jansen are of such superior quality that only an expert could tell the difference. However, be aware that there are many different grades of leather. Sure, you can find 'Bargain Leather Benches' out there, but they're no more than thin synthesized plastic or heavier grade vinyl. Our bench manufacturers use only top quality hides for their benches. Good quality leather breathes, is plyable, and then or course like a new car, there's also that lovely leather smell & touch. To put it into perspective, if you can afford the luxury of one of our Leather benches.... go ahead and treat yourself... You'll be enjoying it long after you've forgotten how much it cost.
Do you have a strong bench that will hold a bit of weight.
Answer
We offer a Stretcher/ School Teacher's bench that come with extra support rungs on the bottom of the bench for more strength. This style of bench is recommended for heavy traffic use or for people who require a stronger bench.
Can I use my own fabric, I'd like the bench to match my decor?
Answer
Yes, we have several bench selections where you can send us your own fabric and we'll custom make the bench for you.
If you require any further assistance in selecting a bench, just give us a call toll-free at 1-800-791-7144.
Do you sell American designed Frederick Benches?
Answer
We do not. Frederick benches are in fact imported from China.