I’ve been playing almost exclusively in grand pianos for the last 3 years and it really makes a difference. I’ve played on all major brands (including Steinway, of course) and I am always looking for a better instrument.
I own a small grand (definitely not concert size!) and I think it’s a worthy investment. Make sure to look for well-maintained used grands. They are considerably cheaper and are usually a much better buy. I got mine for ~8000$ and it sounds and feels great!
In the budget sector, Yamaha grands are excellent choices, combining good build quality (endurance, cheap maintenance), good sound and reasonable price. I would definitely recommend the Yamaha C3, if you can afford it. Don’t buy the new G1. Don’t buy very old steinways or bosendorfers: they are very costly to repair and maintain.
