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Hi everyone. So this brand, C. Mand Coblenz (or Koblenz) is completely unfamiliar to me. I researched online and have found a bit of historical info (mostly in German), but with regards to quality and reputation I haven't found anything.

Is anyone here familiar with the brand and able to spare a few details regarding sound, touch, quality and the reputation of the piano brand in general?

I found a 1/2 grand piano for sale of this brand here: http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-69875627-piano-de-media-cola-c-mand-coblenz-_JM

It's priced at about US$5000. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Both this and the Chickering are really expensive prices for used, ancient pianos. I realize prices may be much higher in Mexico, but you really should look elsewhere, particularly at new pianos.

Thanks BDB. Frankly I COMPLETELY agree. I was originally stunned with the prices of these pianos and of piano prices in general at stores throughout the city. I'm thinking it may be due to the combined effects of a relative scarcity of pianos in the country and the probability that piano buyers in Mexico are likely not your typical-income Mexican citizen, but instead a smaller, much wealthier niche of the population who don't mind paying for very overpriced instruments.

Do you have any thoughts on this upright Bechstein? http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-67732151-vendo-piano-vertical-aleman-marca-c-bechstein-_JM

It's selling for about US$3,000.00. I think it's too much, as well, but perhaps some bargaining could bring that down to US$2,000, would that still be overpriced?

For the Bechstein, it depends on the age and condition, but it is probably overpriced as well. Perhaps less than the grands, but it is difficult to say.

What do new piano prices run in Mexico? Then we would have a basis for comparison.

Thanks BDB. So far, I've seen new introductory baby grands like a Suzuki or Pearl River priced at US$12,000-13,000.

I'm thinking I may have to leave Mexico City for some of the surrounding cities like Morelia where there appears to be a larger selection of seemingly more reasonably priced instruments.

Those prices are not far from the listed prices in the US. They may be negotiable. A new piano is probably a better bet than any of these used pianos.

Hmmm, OK. I'll definitely look into it more...with regards to stores for new pianos there's definitely a wide selection, given wide and deep pockets, of course

Thanks BDB!

Carl Mand made some very nice instruments. When new, this piano was most likely a very decent instrument in all respects. Of course, what is important now is its condition. You would have to look at it yourself and have a technician examine it for structural and other issues.

The fact that it is an "unknown" brand (to most) could be in your favor should you decide to make an offer.

@Supply

Absolutely. I've already arranged to see this piano later this week, I figure I have nothing to lose by simply checking it out, giving it a play, and doing a preliminary investigation. Should it indeed surprise me in sound and appearance then I'll definitely hire a technician to further investigate the grand.

Thanks for the advice! Do you have any Carl Mand pianos of your own? They seem to be exceptionally scarce.

No I don't one one (I wish I did!). Are they scarce? Kind of like snow.... Is snow on your roof exceptionally scarce? It depends on where you live...

Hi, i have a Carl Mand Coblenz piano, If i remember correctly it is from 1895, today Carl Mand pianos are rare, I personally only seen two so far, mine and other i've seen in a museum.
The Carl Mand pianos are very good, both the sound and the structure are very good. My piano has more than 100 years and was onle restored once, just redone the finish.
the structure and the harp are original and in excellent condition.

A simple biography:

"Most of the surviving instruments from Carl Mand are now privately owned. A collection maintains the Landesmuseum Koblenz in the Ehrenbreitstein . A wing with its unusual shape of the housing by the architect and designer Joseph Maria Olbrich was designed in 1900, is in the Berlin Museum of Musical Instruments. From this octagonal-Mand Olbrich wing, there are other models, one is in black with elaborate ornamentation on the Mathildenhöhe in Darmstadt . Especially the wings and the bells Eckflügel, both patents of C. Mand These wings are very small space can be put in corners."

"Wing" meaning grand piano, of course.

It should be noted that Carl Mand pianos are not that uncommon in the Rhineland in Germany, the area they originally were made.