Hi all

I have an offer to buy a fully restored 1936 4'7" C. Bechstein model S at my local piano shop. Price is similar to that of a brand new W. Hoffmann T161 5'2" , considerably less than a new Kawai RX-1 5'5". Both of which I have enjoyed playing.

I quite like the Bechstein. It mechanics feels appropriately firm and responsive (I tend to dislike old keyboards), and it sounds "clean". What do you think about this? All I found googling was this snip:

http://www.courtneypianos.co.uk/bechstein.html
" the baby grand sizes K & S suffered from the loss of string-length, and are slightly disappointing in terms of tone quality."

Bechstein pianos are among the finest instruments in the world, but I would be cautious with this one.

It is important for you to find out what "fully restored" means. Which components were replaced and which were not.

The very short length of the piano will have a deleterious effect on the tone of the bass notes. It is significantly shorter than the Steinway S which is their smallest grand piano.

I would also have it checked by a non affiliated technician to ensure that the piano is free of defects.

Good luck!

Robert.

Thank you.

I did compare directly the W. Hoffman T177 (closest match to the T161 that compete with the model S in terms of price, size and availability). The T177 did have a lot more low-frequency energy, but since it was placed in the corner while the model s was not, it is difficult to judge. I believe that I am not all that into high loudness and lots of bass, I am more concerned with a fast, comfortable action and the tone quality in the mid-range.

I know that it has been sent abroad for a glossy polyester finish, and the frame has been sandblasted and painted in the original color, while much of the mechanical work was done over here. Sorry about my poor translation below:

"The instrument have been totally renovated. Renovated soundboard, new stemmestokk, nye stegtopper, strings and stemmenagler. Renovated keyboard new bus bearings, ivory/ebony. omfiltede heveledd. new stilker, kapsler, ruller og hammerheads, new dempefilt.

All new parts according to C. Bechstein standards. 10 years warranty and 3 years exchange rights (free of charge)".

A restored Steinway S is out of the question due to price (1.5-2.5x this price), and I am sceptical about the feel of the keyboard in the ones that I have tried (did like its sound though).

The retailer is close to my house and sells new C. Bechstein instruments.

-k

Hello, I'm curious if the price is really what man can expect of the price of rebuilt Bechstein. For example here, I've found C.Bechstein model L (footnote from your source: The smaller grands L & M were good sounding, well-built instruments...) and the price is about 30-40% of new W. Hoffmann T161. The piano is provided with this description: "Instrument has undergone action repair, cleaning, tuning" and also "excellent" condition.
Honestly speaking at this price range I would be quite reluctant to go rebuilt route. If you like Bechstein, then you probably know that W.Hoffmann is built by Bohemia Pianos (err, now Bechstein Europe) in the Czech Republic so you are still at least interested by two instruments of the same manufacturer.
Anyway, if you do have a possibility to play them both aside, test and decide what you like more.
Good luck!