Hi,

I've been doing some research on a W.Hoffmann grand piano from 1973. It was made in Langlau Germany and I believe it was made by Eurterpe Pianos. It has a serial number of #102381. Can anyone shed some more light on this fine piano's history or how it may have ended up in Ontario, Canada? It's been in a music school played for years by piano students and kept in tune. Ideally, I'd like to know if it's worthwhile restoring the finish and what it may be worth today? Any ideas? Thanks.

Alan

I played some Hoffmanns from the 80's and they were really good instruments. Very impressive. It's sad that they are now just a cheap Chinese knock off.

PianoLance,

I think that you're confusing different brands with similar names.

The present day W. Hoffmann is built in a Bechstein factory in the Czech Republic. It is definitely not a "cheap Chinese knock off". It's a terrific, mid-price, European piano, probably superior even to the "very impressive" W. Hoffmann pianos that you tried in the 1980's (full disclosure: we sell W. Hoffmann pianos).

There's another piano that has a similar name (I believe that it's called August Hoffmann). I know nothing about it, except that it's probably made in China. My guess is that this is the piano that you referred to in your comment.

I would also guess that at least some piano buyers are similarly confused - which is unfortunate.

Hi Alan:

The piano in question was built in Gunzenhausen by the Feurich company. At the time, Feurich built pianos under the Feurich, W. Hoffman and Euterpe labels. These were very good pianos and should be worth the refinishing investment.