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HI THERE!!
CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BRAND. FOR WHAT I HEARD ITS A WELL KNOW COMPANY FROM CZECH REPUBLIC THAT MAKES A GOOD QUALITY INSTRUMENTS. I AM INTERESTED IN ONE BUT BEFORE I JUMP I WILL LIKE TO KNOW THE REPUTATION THAT THIS PIANOS HAVE.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

Hi Nocturne Player,

I have had a Bohemia upright for ~ 2 1/2 years. I have had no problems and after playing many different pianos I still like the sound and touch.

You are correct, Bohemia pianos are made in the Czech Republic. About a year ago Bechstein bought the rest of Bohemia, so Bohemia pianos are now part of the Bechstein family.

Good luck, John

Bohemias are lovely, warm instruments. Sweetest upright I ever played. Fine quality, backed by a very good, conscientious company. Had they been available when I was looking I likely would have bought one.

I have only played a few, but they are very nice pianos. For anyone considering a Kawai or Yamaha, this piano deserves attention (Petrof and Estonia, too) because they are priced similarly. Personally, I prefer them to similarly priced Japanese pianos.

I understand it, Bohemia is known more for its uprights than its grands. The Eastern European brands (except for the Belarussian brand whose name escapes me at the moment) are all very good quality, helping to fill the niche between the Steinways and Yahamas of the world.

Recent Bohemias are far improved over those of the middle and late 1990's. The 2006 acquisition by Bechstein was a real shot in the arm for this flagging factory.

Actually I thought the Reiger Kloss uprts. of the early to mid nineties which I believed evolved into Bohemia were a great piano especially for the $. I only time I ever see Bohemia is at the Namm show.

I think that XXI likes them too, even more than Hailun.

Broker,

Pianos Wholesale (John Tudor) in Temple City had the full Bohemia vertical line and a few grands for years, as did Rawlins in Laguna Niguel. I don't know if Pianos Wholesale is still in business though. Since they are(were?) into rebuilding, maybe you would know. Their web site is gone.

One minor correction:

Bohemia is not a part of the Bechstein family. Bohemias were produced before bechstein's investment and eventual take over of the factory. The C. Bechsteins, Bechstein Academy Series, and the Hoffmann lines are designed by Bechstein.

My understanding is that the Bohemias were designed by Bohenia and not Bechstein. Bechstein simply continued to make the Bohemias under contract.

From the LF 2008-2009 Suppliment:
"In 2006 C. Bechstein purchased a controlling interest in Bohemia Piano Ltd. and integrated it into a new entity called C. Bechstein Europe.....C. Bechstein now provides Bohemia with technical assistance and support., and the two companies collaborate in the manufacture of certain components."

Was LF incorrect in his reporting?

I was attributing their improvement to Bechstein involvement.

I believe Steve himself has stated that Bechstein put some money into the Bohemia factory in the form of CNC machinery. It would seem that would benefit whatever pianos are built there.

Also, is it not the case that W. Hoffmann's are built on the same line as the Bohemias? If so, this might be a Kawai / Boston sort of distinction.

I am seeking clarity from Bechstein and will report back.

bohemia is not a Bechstein product, they only own the bohemia factory. Bohemia pianos are still built the same way as before bechstein bought the factory. They have purchased this factory for some case parts to be made at lower cost for some of their entry level pianos. I have heard some dealers say that Bohemia is a Bechstein piano. NOT TRUE!! don't be fooled. Just letting everyone know what some dealers are doing.

Steve Cohen.... Promised update to clarify?

The latest and greatest LF opus ranks Bohemia in catagory 3. This is an amazing climb from the Reiger-Kloss pianos and products from this factory I had a mediocre experience with in the late 1990's. If not positive influence from Bechstein I am scratching my head.

According to Fine's new pianobuyer.com guide, Bechstein money built the new factory where Bohemias are now made. I believe that would give them some claim on ownership at least.

Most of the old designs are still in production, and all of the pianos bear either the Bohemia fallboard name or Bechstein's W. Hoffmann name. The difference is that the Bohemias are still distributed by German American Trading while the Hoffmanns are distributed by Bechstein itself.

If dealers want to tout the Bechstein affiliation, why not? Hardly seems necessary though. The Bohemia name stands for something very good. The pianos speak for themselves.