s/h Bechstein grand

[gradus]

A friend is thinking of buying a small Bechstein grand at auction: any tips and things to check from existing Bechstein owners? I've read about the frame cracks on some models but opinions vary about the subsequent tuning stability. It's a pretty piano and dust apart, case and keyboard look ok. Beyond knowing it was made in the decade from 1891 I'm in the dark until viewing.

[Nick Armstrong]

A friend is thinking of buying a small Bechstein grand at auction: any tips and things to check from existing Bechstein owners? I've read about the frame cracks on some models but opinions vary about the subsequent tuning stability. It's a pretty piano and dust apart, case and keyboard look ok. Beyond knowing it was made in the decade from 1891 I'm in the dark until viewing.

I inherited a 1911 Bechstein Model B grand some years ago. It's in original condition, and the keyboard, action and sound are still fine - indeed, I love the sound, ideal for a room at home. It's looked after by the Bechstein people at Jaques Samuel on Edgware Road - it does need tuning at least every 6 months, and now I'm using it more regularly, every 4 months is looking about right. The main problem has been that a couple of the bass strings have gone - and it's now working on two rather than three strings for those notes. It's not really noticeable. Replacing the original strings with modern ones didn't work - the notes sounded very odd. There are some superficial cracks on the soundboard but the technicians who've seen it say they don't present an urgent, structural problem. In an ideal world, it needs to go back to Bechstein's in Europe for reconditioning / restringing - but the cost would be something between £5 - 10K and it's not something I'm contemplating!

Where is the piano you mention? It might be worth getting someone from Jaques Samuel to give it the once-over before the auction...

[Constantbee]

My instinct would be do proceed with caution There's a lot of interest in pianos in our area but not many people know that much about them. I've heard stories of people buying really dreadful old instruments without knowing what they're getting. It's likely that your friend knows a lot more, of course. In any event, The Pianist magazine issue 95 has a helpful article about piano restoration and repairs on page 82. You can still buy back numbers online from here:

https://www.pianistmagazine.com/store/buy-the-magazine/

Issue 95 also has an interview with Rick Wakeman, whose picture adorns the front cover. Whatever you think of his work he is still a fine pianist and must be one of the hardest working musicians in the business. Rick has recently been involved with rescuing a number of vintage pianos with he talks about with great affection.

Hope that helps.

[Serial_Apologist]

Having enjoyed the use of my parents' Blüthner boudoir grand for the 40 years of its family residence, until both my parents passed on, I did contemplate having a piano when I moved here in 2004: floors of thick concrete to easily take the weight, walls sufficiently thick to avoid neighbour disturbance. In the event I purchased a much cheaper electric model (Yamaha), which, not being of an ability that encourages me to break rules, eg playing directly on the strings, suits me fine. The tone is as good as many an acoustic model; for privacy it can be played using headphones; its easily manoeuvrable; and it never needs tuning - something which had become a considerable biennial expense to my parents.

[Stanfordian]

A friend is thinking of buying a small Bechstein grand at auction: any tips and things to check from existing Bechstein owners? I've read about the frame cracks on some models but opinions vary about the subsequent tuning stability. It's a pretty piano and dust apart, case and keyboard look ok. Beyond knowing it was made in the decade from 1891 I'm in the dark until viewing.

Hiya gradus,

For a piano as old as that. I would proceed with great caution. Certainly obtain an expert appraisal.