It's been 11 months since I posted here about my decision to buy a Sauter Omega 220. Well it has finally arrived. Delivery commenced at 11am on Friday 8th August.

Annotated delivery pictures are at this link . The guest password is 'digit'. A couple of quick snaps are shown below.

Pictures cannot do justice to the exquisite craftsmanship of the piano. The attention to detail, fit, finish, and hardware are nothing short of amazing. The first tuning and prep (not there is much to do other than to run through the checklist), will be in two week's time.

I will post more pictures if there is interest. Need to get my living room tidied up and the lighting sorted out first!

Congratulations - this is one helluva piano!
[spoken with envy.... ]

Many years ago I wondered why this by me unmentionable brand.. .. - made in same area as Germany's Porsches and Rolexes - wasn't better known here in North America.

Thinking perhaps, they get paid by someone to stay away from already conquered and occupied territories....

Glad to see this is definitely not the case in Singapore!!

Norbert

What an absolutely stunning looking piano. Congratulations!!

What a magnificent piano! Thanks for sharing pics.

MAZEL TOV Benjamin!

holy cow

that's wonderful

Just the bench alone is stunning... what a design! Congratulations, digitus. There aren't many pianos worth an 11-month wait, but yours is one of them.

I happen to know what this piano costs.

I think there should be a court by the U.N. for "international piano crimes" intended for those who still dare to charge more for same or similiar size - sometimes even *a lot* more.

Plus an asylum for those - who *pay it*....

Norbert

Just beautiful. Congratulations. I'd love to see some more pictures of the inside (I checked out your delivery pics )

Balf ♫

At last and it's absolutely beautiful. I love the tasteful soft silver finish on the metal parts. Enjoy it Ben, it is indeed a gorgeous piano.

Warmest congratulations,
Robert.

Hi Digitus -- I checked out the other pictures and I'm truly amazed that they got the piano up to your apartment without any incident. They really know what they are doing!

What an incredible and majestic piano you have! The silver-tone pedals and casters really add a modern look and are just perfect. You may have to redecorate your house around the piano now.

Thanks for the great pictures and congratulations on such a fine instrument. Look forward to hearing recordings if you're so inclined.

Digitus,
That is an awesome piano!! The bench is a work of art in itself. Congrats!!

Hi Digitus,

You lucky dog. A gorgeous Sauter Omega 220.

That is one beautiful looking piano. I'm glad that it finally arrived.

Enjoy!

Best wishes,

Bear

That is incredible, what a great choice. Congrats!

I can't believe those guys were moving the piano with no shoes...

Digitus,
That's one helluva gorgeous piano! I see that you chose the burl walnut fallboard too.
How does it sound in your apartment? Too loud, or just nice? Notice that you did not put a thick rug underneath...

So when will you be having a piano party?

Congratulations- wow, what a gorgeous piano!


Sophia

An absolute beauty congratulations Digitus - your long wait is over and now the best bit begins..... Enjoy - and do post a sample of how he sounds won't you!?

Congratulations on your beautiful piano!

It seems to me that Sauter has taken a huge chunk of the market in the far east. In Hongkong one sees more Sauters then any other of the top European brands. I am not surprised. Sauters exude dignity and quality both in appearence and in tone.

OMG. I'm in love... with someone else's piano.

Thanks to all for your kind words. Taking delivery of a piano is always a thrill. This one is extra special because it is the first and last time that I will or can afford to buy a piano of this calibre. It is the fulfillment of a lifetime dream. There are a bunch of very happy craftsmen in Spaichingen who are thrilled that a customer is so pleased with something that they have laboured over so lovingly.

Norbert[/b]: Thank you for your early encouragement to give the Omega serious consideration. PMs from you and Ron Overs finally tipped the scales in favour of the Omega. I share your view that Sauter grands (in particular the Omega) are comparable to the finest pianos at any price, subjective differences aside.

Russell (master88er)[/b]: Thanks for being a friend! Speaking of which, did our ummm 'friend' ever get back to you?

apple*[/b]: Thank you, and I hope you are doing well with your treatment.

Monica & RickG[/b]: I don't know of any other piano manufacturer that supplies such beautiful benches. Alvin allowed me to choose from any bench sold by Sauter, including those designed by Peter Maly, but I chose the UNICO. The cost of the bench was factored into the price of the piano. There were three customizations: (1) The inside panel and centre of the knob veneered in bubinga; (2) the Sauter logo on the side; and (3) the chrome knobs. The veneer work was particularly difficult and I will try to photograph it.

MmmmBalf[/b]: I will be taking more detailed pictures.

Robert 45 & SophieM[/b]: The chrome/stainless steel hardware and silver plate were the dealer, Alvin's, suggestion. We were after a modern look and the result is spectacular.

nnrads[/b]: The delivery guys are incredible. They knew exactly what they were doing. My dealer uses them for all his deliveries. After they left my home, they headed off to make another 5 deliveries, all uprights. One of the guys is missing part of his left little finger, lost when protecting a piano from damage!

Wzkit[/b]: No it's not burled walnut, but bubinga. The underlid, fallboard and cheekblocks were all supposed to be burled walnut, whereas the rim was supposed to be bubinga. It was Ulrich Sauter's suggestion to change all to bubinga, for aesthetic reasons. Piano party? Maybe. I do have a 1cm thick rug under the piano (you can see it in the pictures). I may not need any further acoustic treatment in the living room. The false ceiling already contains acoustic batts that stop the panels from vibrating and soak up excess bass and low midrange.

Genaa[/b]: Will post a recording once the piano has settled in and been tuned a couple of times. I can confirm that all my fears about ordering the Omega without having played on anything except an Alpha 160 (up to that point in time) have been laid to rest. The tone is absolutely gorgeous, even with the piano in its acclimatization phase and the tuning off. It is rounded yet, articulate and clear. The hammers have been voiced to perfection.

Pianistical[/b]: Tack för gratulera! I saw one of your posts where you mentioned this thing about Sauter in the Far East. It could be a phenomenon specific to Hong Kong.

Once again thanks to all, even if I didn't respond directly to you. I started a private blog back in May to document my personal piano journey, and will be writing more about the Omega there. The blog is now public, and rather than post duplicate material there and here perhaps you might like to pop in to my humble blog for a visit. It is at this location .

Hi Digitus,

You give me great confidence should I decide on Wednesday that the 'Sauter' tone is for me. I go to play a Rondo and Ragazza and if I like them, most probably order the M-Line 130 Am very tempted to get the Unico stool also...

Like the new blog too btw - very nice and a tremendous resource for all things pianistic!

Elegant!

Loved the delivery pics and details!

Thank goodness they returned with the bench, huh?

I bet it was hard to stop playing last night!

LL

Congratulations, Digitus! The Omega is really awesome!
Thanks for posting the exciting delivery pictures.

Drool-drool-drool !

Congrats on your acquisition, it's absolutely magnificent.

Wim

:3hearts:
Absolutely stunning!!!

WaWaWaWOW!!!!!

Absolutly beautiful piano! Congratulations.

Mike

Ben,

Stunning. I love the edging on the keybed.

How did it play out the box? I can tell from the pictures that it is fresh from the factory. Not opened by Alvin first (sealing tape).

Mine was amazing both tuning and regulation. A recent thread queried best prepared by manufacturer. What do you think?

regards,

Gene

Digitus,

What a long wait... Congratulations to your new born! Handsome boy indeed.

I just visited the photos.
I can't believe these guys delivered this monster piano in flip flops!

Really a beautiful piano digitus. Congratulations again.

Mike

Mike..wait till you try one of 'em Sauters!