 Brief information on the best and most commonly available Bechstein
If you're thinking of buying a professionally reconditioned Bechstein grand piano then you're getting a piano with a fine touch, rich tone and aesthetically pleasing cabinet. The most common colours are black and rosewood, and some walnut, with post 1920s ones more often mahogany. Modern and new Bechstein pianos are some of the finest modern pianos made today.
Recommended most readily available Bechstein grand pianos in the UK:
By far the most common are model A, B and V grands, with the most common colours black and rosewood. They vary enormously in quality and in how much they've been used. Reconditioning can also vary widely. On models A, B and C the frame is often cracked near the tuning pins. This is a mild manufacturing fault and never causes a problem, though restringing should be done with caution. It is also possible to stitch-weld the frame, though from our experience this only has cosmetic advantage.
Description of most common models:
The following models are listed in order of availability in the UK:
Models A 5ft 11in (182cm) long. 1902 to 1930 usually rosewood or black, earlier ones with turned legs and later with square tapered. The best have a rich, natural and powerful tone
Model B 6ft 8in (203cm) long. 1902 to 1930 usually rosewood or black, earlier ones with turned legs and later with square tapered. The best have a rich, natural and powerful tone
Model V 6ft 7in (200cm) long. 1890 to 1902 usually rosewood or black, all with turned legs. The best have a rich, natural and powerful tone.
Model V 6ft 7in (200cm) long. 1890 to 1902 usually rosewood or black, all with turned legs. The best have a rich, natural and powerful tone.
Other models sometimes found are:
Model IV 7ft 2in (218cm) long. 1890 to 1902. These have a deep and powerful tone, turned legs and fretted desk, usually with good figured rosewood cases.
Model C 7ft 4in (225cm) long
Other models are less common.
Brief description of all Bechstein grand pianos (not just the common ones - most information supplied by Courtney Pianos of Oxford):
Up to around 1902, Bechstein built 5 sizes of grand; these were known as models I to V ('roman' 1-5).
Model 'I' 9ft (275cm) long;
Model 'II' was 8ft 4in (254cm) long;
Model 'III' was 7ft 8in (234cm) long;
Model 'IV' was 7ft 2in (218cm) long;
Model 'V' - the shortest and most frequently built - was 6ft 7in (200cm) long.
In most instruments (not the earlier models) the identifying number is cast in the iron frame near the far end underneath the bass strings.
In 1902, Bechstein changed the styles and lengths of all grands made, and 5 new models were introduced - E to A.
Model E replaced the 'I' above - same length but revised style;
Model D 8ft 2in (250cm) long;
Model C 7ft 4in (225cm) long;
Model B 6ft 8in (203cm) long;
Model A 5ft 11in (182cm) long, 85 notes (not 88).
Footnote - The models 'V' & 'B' are often confused as they are the same length, the 'V', like all earlier grands always had a 'fish-tail' style cabinet, whereas the 'B' - built after 1902 - did not.
During the 1920s demand increased for smaller grands, and in common with most other manufacturers, Bechstein introduced 4 more (smaller) sizes, the K, L, M & S. The models B-E continued to be built.
Model M 5ft 10in (178cm) long, and replaced the model A, but with 88 notes;
Model L was 5ft 6in (168cm) long, also known as 'Lilliput' model;
Model K was 5ft 1in (155cm) long;
Model S was 4ft 7in (140cm) long.
The majority are built in Ebonised (black) or Rosewood cabinets, though Burr Walnut is occasionally found. Mahogany is the more standard woodgrain found on post-1920s built instruments, though (non-burr) Walnut and Ebonised cabinets are sometimes found.
Bechstein upright pianos - advice
If you're thinking of buying a professionally reconditioned Bechstein then you're getting a piano with a fine touch, rich tone and aesthetically pleasing cabinet. The most common colours are black and rosewood, and some walnut. Post 1920s ones are also mahogany.
Availability.
The most common Bechstein uprights in the UK are:
Models V and 10 (60%)
Models IV and 9 (25%)
Models III and 8 (10%)
All other models (5%)
Brief description of all Bechstein upright pianos Pre 1902
Model I 57½in (145cm) tall with 88 notes, usually found in Rosewood or Ebonised (black).
Model II 54½in (138cm) tall with 88 notes usually available in Rosewood or Ebonised.
Model III is 127cm/50in tall, has 88 notes and is available in Rosewood, Ebonised, Walnut and Maple.
Model IV is 122cm/48in tall, has 85 notes and is Bechstein's smaller overstrung model, and available in various woods.
Model V is 127cm/50in tall, 85 notes and is Bechstein's straight-strung model, usually available in Ebonised or Rosewood, often with inlaid marquetry. Post 1902
Model 6 57½in (145cm) tall with 88 notes, usually found in Rosewood or Ebonised (black).
Model 7 54½in (138cm) tall with 88 notes usually available in Rosewood or Ebonised.
Model 8 is 127cm/50in tall, has 88 notes and is available in Rosewood, Ebonised, Walnut and Maple.
Model 9 is 122cm/48in tall, has 85 notes and is Bechstein's smaller overstrung model, and available in various woods.
Model 10 is 127cm/50in tall, 85 notes and is Bechstein's straight-strung model, usually available in Ebonised or Rosewood.
IMPORTANT
Models I to V (pre 1902) generally need the tuning pins replaced with longer and larger ones as they go loose with central heating. With restringing this work generally costs £1000 to £1500. Reconditioned Models 6 to 10 generally don't need this doing, though it would be an improvement.
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Bechstein model 10 Upright (1907) - 