Not surprisingly, most people outside the piano business have never heard of Astin-Weight pianos. Founded by American inventor Edwin L. Astin Weight, they were built in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1959 until 1999. During their relatively brief 40-year reign, they innovated numerous design features that stand out for their originality, such as the so-called “floating” soundboard design and a full-perimeter iron frame, both of which noticeably enhance tonal sustain and fullness beyond what most consoles this size can deliver. The keyboard is also highly responsive for a piano this size, allowing excellent control over dynamics and voice delineation, in other words, giving the pianists the ability to play with ease a long-sustaining singing melodic line above a subdued and well-balanced accompaniment, again, exceeding the expectations one normally has for a piano this size. In short, this piano is designed to “punch above its weight” (weak pun intended!). It also has, in our opinion, an attractive and unusual cabinet design, strikingly different than most furniture-style consoles. In short, it stands out as a true original, both musically and physically. Priced with the new student in mind, but sufficiently capable to meet the needs of more experienced pianists, you will likely never see or play another piano quite like this for a long time, if ever. If you want it, don’t delay. When it’s gone, it’s gone.