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Joined: Jun 2005
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I'm curious what piano off-brand or defunct makes have most impressed people here. Have you ever come across an older grand or something that wasn't supposed to be a tier one, but just glowed in your memory for some reason?
We hear so much about the big makes, I thought it would be fun to explore some especially fine instruments from other older makers, or ones much less well known.
Scott
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most of the big makes we discuss on here other than steinway, yamaha, and baldwin are 'off brands' to the general public.
out of the dozens of people who've seen my piano since i got it in november, a total of 2 have known what a boesendorfer is. to everyone else, it's just a generic piano, and i somewhat enjoy that.
Bösendorfer 214(CS)-495 48311 Yamaha CLP-240
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A quick little story…. There is a small piano store near my home (the only one within 70 miles or so) that carries the Bergmann (YC) and Story and Clark brand pianos, as well as some used ones of various makes. They only keep a few of the Bergmann’s in stock and have to order the S&C’s. I visited the store a few times and got a couple of prices on a Bergmann grand and a S&C upright. In the meantime, I purchased a pre-owned 5’10.5†Tokai grand piano from a private owner. Several months later I visited the local piano store again just to browse and see if they had any different pianos. The owner asks me if I ever bought a piano; I told her that I had bought a Tokai grand. She says “a whatâ€? I say a Tokai. She says “I’ve never heard of itâ€. So, you know you’ve got an odd-ball brand when the piano dealer, who says they have been in business for 30 years, has never heard of the brand. Moral of the story… odd-ball brands can be good pianos too. Best regards, Rick
Piano enthusiast and amateur musician: "Treat others the way you would like to be treated". Yamaha C7. YouTube Channel
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That's funny, because I've heard of Tokai and I spend no time around pianos except my own, which is not a Tokai.
Scott
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Hey Rickster my friend, Some piano dealers do their homework and study their profession, while many others ain't got a clue! Best, Bear
Barry J "Bear" Arnaut ♫ 46 Years in the Piano Industry Retired Kawai/Shigeru Kawai Regional Manager (My posts and threads are my opinions only)
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Hi Bear 1, One thing about it… you certainly seem to have done your homework and then some. I don’t know of anyone, on this forum or else ware, who is more knowledgeable regarding pianos than you. You are particularly knowledgeable about Kawai pianos. Thank you for your invaluable input and participation on this forum! Like I said, you are one of my mentors on this forum. Best regards, Rick
Piano enthusiast and amateur musician: "Treat others the way you would like to be treated". Yamaha C7. YouTube Channel
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Gee Rickster, You're making my head swell up so big that I won't be able to wear my hat. Thanks for the kind words. Best always, my friend, The "Big Headed" Bear
Barry J "Bear" Arnaut ♫ 46 Years in the Piano Industry Retired Kawai/Shigeru Kawai Regional Manager (My posts and threads are my opinions only)
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Joined: Aug 2002
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Bear is right. They haven't done their homework. A while back, I went into a shop. I started talking about Estonia. The salesman seem to know nothing about Estonia. Tried to bad mouth it and say it was from "Russia or someplace over there" and would fall apart here in Texas. LOL
RickG
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Eric Gloo Piano Technician Certified Dampp-Chaser Installer Richfield Springs, New York
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Hardman.
And Rick Clark once had a killer Apollo...
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A story:
A young woman came into our place and wanted her old upright piano rebuilt. Not reconditioned, mind you, she wanted a new board, as much of a new action as was possible, a full refinishing, etc., etc.
I told her what a terrible waste of her money that would be and how she could almost buy a Bosendorfer for the kind of money it would take to do that work. Her response was (as she broke down),"But my grandfather built this piano!".
We did the work. It was a Dunham upright piano and it turned out better than 99% of the upright pianos that I have played in my life.
Although it looked well built, the final product took me by surprise, it was so good.
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What were some of the older American-made pianos (grands or uprights) that, although they may not be listed in Larry Fine's piano book in his list of well-regarded brands in the early 20th century, were often good quality pianos? (Please list only those whose manufacturers are no longer in business, and preferably ones whose names are no longer being used.)
1950 (#144211) Baldwin Hamilton 1956 (#167714) Baldwin Hamilton You can right-click my avatar for an option to view a larger version.
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Rich's story serves to remind that there are hidden gems in some old pianos and the pat answer of "it's not worth rebuilding" is perhaps a disservice. Rich, do you have a photo of that piano?
Scott
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Its true i often come across pianos that ive never heard of but are excellent instruments . My own piano is a "Windover" built here in England by the "British piano manufacturing company" Most people have never heard of them and yet they are very good pianos. Mine is a large upright piano 4ft 6 inches tall and the sides are made of solid mahoghany not vaneered,its built like a battle ship and what a beautiful instument, loud and with a tone to die for . Equal if not surpassing any of the top brands .Here in England i would name Collard and Collard , John Brinsmead , Welmar , Chappell ( still around but no longer making pianos) as makes that are no longer in production but in there day were quality makes. To name but a few.
Piano tuner and restorer 40years experience. pianobrereton@hotmail.co.uk
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Put me down for a 5 pedal Wing and Son.
I don't know that they were ever especially "fine" but they sure are fun.
Defender of the Landfill Piano
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Mathushek built sturdy pianos - at least the Victorians ones were.
My UK friend has a 40ish Chappell upright that really impressed me with its tone.
Slow down and do it right.
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Malmsjö, John Pettersson, Östlind & Almquist and some other Swedish brands are considered by Swedish technicians to be of greater quality then, say, Schimmel.
Swedish pianos are really excellent. I would say that many of them hover somewhere between tier 1 and 2. Sometimes they are in Tier 1 and sometimes in tier 2.
“There are only two important things which I took with me on my way to America, It´s been my wife Natalja and my precious Blüthner.†– Sergei Rachmaninov
1913 Blüthner model 6 1929 Blüthner model 9.
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I had the pleasure of playing a Broadwood grand at a National Trust stately home the other day - it dated from around 1846 and had flat wooden pedals! Sounded remarkably good for its age and condition I must say, and a real treat to play in such a fine setting! If anyone in the UK (or visiting) fancies a go, it can be found at The Vyne, National Trust property just outside Basingstoke
Sauter Masterclass 130 ---------------------- Currently working on: Bach: French Suite no. 4 Beethoven: Op 10 no 1 Schubert: Op 90 no 3 Debussy: La Cathedrale Engloutie, Golliwog's Cakewalk, 'Clear the Room' Balakirev / Glinka: The Lark
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I've heard in from several sources that Mathushek made really good pianos. Ibach, too. I'm not sure about Wing and sons, but 5 pedals does sound fun.
I have never seen a Swedish piano in the US, but there must be some. I'd love to see a Malmsjo someday. Are some of the Swedish brands comparable to Steinway?
It would be fun to try out that Broadwood, but I'd have a looong way to go from where I live!
Scott
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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