Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Hofmann-Wien. A problem of names.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to buy an upright. Since I began my piano studies I've been using a digital piano (a really nice privia) and even though it has been great and loyal I need a change. The thing is that finding piano stores here is almost impossible so the only way of getting a piano nowadays is by other families that long time ago bought a piano abroad.

One family offered me a Hofmann-Wien that has 27 years old aprox. I haven't checked it personally and I want your opinion before doing business. What do you guys know exactly about this brand? I have done some research and I have found basically NOTHING. A Hofmann made in Austria? haven't heard something like that before, I'm just a beginner trying to figure out piano brands. The only Hofmanns I know are W. Hoffmann (with double f) and the american brand Hofmann. While doing this research I realized there are more than two Hofmann/Hoffmann brands

One good thing I did find was that for some time the austrian brand Hofmann & Czerny changed their name to Hofmann. Do you think both names ,Hofmann-Wien and Hofmann & Czerny, are related? Because we have also another austrian brand that makes of this problem a big salad: Karl Hofmann

I don't know how much does this help, but this is the piano:


The label, which is really difficult to see, is basically like this:


...and in the Hofmann & Czerny website there is this non explained picture that is like a clue but I'm not sure enough to drop conclusions:


I would really appreciate if you guys help me with this problem of names. Plus if you can give me your personal opinion or experiences related to the brands that are mentioned, it would be awesome. I can afford this piano but I want to make sure that is worth the effort. Thank you

There were at least three Hofmann brands coming out of Vienna but very little information on the brands besides that.

As with all lesser-known (or no-name) pianos, don't expect too much, but be open for a pleasant surprise. It mostly comes down to condition, and not brand recognition on these instruments, so you have to physically look at it and play it. If the piano passes that first test, call in a technician to assess its condition.

Oh thank you for your quick answer ^^ ok, I'll go and check the piano, probably this week. Another question: the serial number is 42754. If we are not sure about the brand, what can I do to find the year when this piano was made? The family that is offering don't know much about the subject. They say the piano is 27 years old, but I'm sure they mean the piano has been for 27 years in the family. Maybe it was already old when they bought it.

Try giving Phil Warfield of Warfield pianos in Catonsville, MD (or maybe Baltimore). He sold Hoffmans and could have some insight of that vintage.