For those who wish, I have included a link to photos and a video (a bad one unfortunately) of the new Cunningham 5'4". Notice the different plate design and bridge placement, particularly at the break.

http://cunninghaminstruments.blogspot.com/2012/07/new-cunningham-54-studio-grand-in.html

Don't worry Sam, I do not feel dragged in.

Rich, please get a tripod.

For anyone not already following along, I've pointed out a couple of visible areas where you can see differences in scale design. While you cannot clearly see the Cunningham bridge, you can see that the shape of the string termination in the tenor has a different shape, you can see plate differences beyond the obvious cosmetics. You can see changes in the duplex scaling, too.


The Hailun pictured (top) is a model HG 161 in polished walnut, hence no "birdseye" inner rim.

Well what do you expect from the infamous Hailun house troll.
At least for once he forgot to fling his usual "plywood" around when talking about Hailun's soundboards.
Now apparently they are designated as "stencil" pianos in his hateful and Hailun loathing mind.

The guy is a riot and predictable as it comes.

Woops, I'm getting pulled over but I don't think I'm getting a ticket this time!

I don't want to say anything can remotely be considered criticizing Hailun. We're competitors to some degree but we also have a shared interest in keeping manufacturing costs down. Besides, they make a fine piano that many people like and have purchased.

Yes, the Feurich 178 is based on the standard Hailun 178 manufacturer offering. We specify some different components (yawn), we have our own staffer from Vienna doing final QC on each Feurich (yawn yawn), and there is me supervising the brand image and identity here (what's on TV...).

To really understand the differences, one must try both. Not so easy with current Feurich availability I know. What we (Ernest Bittner and his team in Vienna and Julius Feurich and me) are trying to do is offer a piano with subtle, more "European" differences. This is coloring that cannot be properly described in a list of components.

The design is of course important, the prep very much so and the dealer is critical. If the nature of the brand is going to come out, all three components (maker, prep, dealer) must do their complete part.

To those who haven't experienced the difference a really great dealer can make, I'm sorry for you.

I second that! The "Hailun Hater" strikes again!

Different designs by some makers producing pianos under different names, i.e. "stencils" is IMHO far less confusing/controversial than those producing whole series of pianos with entirely different quality under same name.

Norbert

Strange discussion. We are talking about low budget pianos, right? How come that so many people are interested in the origin of parts or the details of production? Go trying and play a Feurich or Hailun or whatever, and if you like it: fine, get one.

It´s strange that people want to know in detail which components are used in a specific piano and it´s strange as well that many manufacturer don´t want to give these information to the public. Bechstein for example was involved in a discussion in a German piano forum as to the origin of the components used in Bechstein pianos. They made a statement that they don´t publish these information because that can change over time and furthermore Bechstein does not define its quality by the quality of the component supplier but the other way round: the component supplier has to deliver the quality that Bechstein expects. What a cool statement!

While I can understand somehow that people want to know details of their high end piano it´s hard to understand why people insist in gathering so many details of their low budget piano. And don´t get me wrong by using the term low budget: I sell Feurich and I love them

Gregor

I miss the Wendl & Lung. Yes, I know, nee Feurich. I just liked the name. Sort of properly British. Less Teutonic. Reminded me of Knight and Kemble. Alas.

That's funny, because to be Wendl & Lung sounds every bit as Germanic as Feurich. Certainly doesn't sound British to me. And yes, I do speak fluent German.

Not to me. I always thought that spoken German sounded like a throat desease, rather than a language, anyway. At least in the USA, I've never heard it pronounced fVendel und Luung.

Well, I'm sure you're not pronouncing Feurich anything like a German speaker would either. "Not to me" doesn't even enter into it if you have no knowledge of German. I'll add that that was a pretty insulting way to speak about a language, Marty. Perhaps you're not as pure as the driven snow after all. Any language can be made beautiful or ugly. There is plenty of beautiful German. I've heard exquisite German spoken in films and plays.

Ando, you cannot possibly know anything about me. Don't assume you do.

I expressed a light hearted quip, and you decided to attack.

You are so sensitive to quips from others, telling people how to behave, what's insulting. etc. but when you do it, it's just light-hearted. You are becoming a parody of yourself, Marty.

You are absolutely right, Sam. I need one.

In the meantime, here is another photo I have in my laptop that shows the bridge placement clearer. (I know it still isn't great). Compare the lower side of the treble bridge in particular. That is very different. It lacks what many have nicknamed "the hockey stick" bridge in favor of a longer and thinner string at this point.

I said that I merely missed the name. Nothing more, nothing less. I do hope that your comprehension of German is better than of English.

good, though unintended point.

The really proper pronunciation of Feurich is FOY' rich with the "ch" sound being produced in the back of your throat. Sort of like (but softer) the ch in christmas.

Americans have a terrible time with this. FOY'rish is also acceptable.

It is not F'yer ick.

Keep trying, Marty, you'll get there eventually.

But Eric,

In English speaking countries, how is Wendl & Lung pronounced? That is what ando is all bent out of shape about. Not me!

I am not Eric, but I can help, Marty.

It is pronounced "Wehn-duhl & Luhng".

Thanks Rich,

That's how I pronounce it and have heard the same from dealers when W&L was available. It sounds more British than Germanic to me. I.e.; fVen-del und Luung.

Thanks for possibly ending some useless sniping.