Most Expensive Piano at Auction and Private Sale
The Steinway & Sons Model Z that belonged to John Lennon sold at Sotheby's in 2000 for $2.37 million, making it one of the most expensive pianos ever sold at auction and a benchmark for celebrity-owned instruments Sotheby's John Lennon Collection.
In private sales and bespoke commissions, custom concert grands from builders like Fazioli, Bösendorfer, and Steinway frequently reach multi-million-dollar price points when they feature exotic woods, unique finishes, or limited-edition serial numbers.
Most Expensive Piano by Brand and Model
Fazioli's 10-foot concert grand models, such as the Fazioli F308, carry manufacturer prices above $350,000, and special editions with rare veneers or custom action parts can exceed $500,000 Fazioli Official Site.
Bösendorfer's Imperial Grand, the largest production grand at 290 keys, starts above $200,000 and can surpass $300,000 with custom finishes, while limited Steinway and Sons models signed by concert artists or built with rare materials command even higher premiums.
What Makes a Piano So Expensive
Materials such as aged spruce soundboards, hand-selected maple and ebony veneers, and hardened carbon-fiber or rare-metal action parts directly raise build cost and long-term value.
Labor-intensive processes like hand-voicing, individual string scaling, and precision regulation by master technicians add significant cost, and provenance from famous owners, concert halls, or historical events can multiply resale value beyond the instrument's base price Forbes on Luxury Piano Costs.