Brief information on the best and
most commonly available used
Blüthner pianos in the UK
We normally stock at least three restored Blüthner grand pianos and an upright (good Blüthner underdamped uprights are not common). If you're thinking of buying a professionally reconditioned Blüthner grand piano then you're getting a piano with a smooth, light touch (especially in the older "patent" actions models), warm tone and aesthetically pleasing cabinet. Blüthner was the leading manufacturer of domestic pianos from around 1890 to 1915, having ideal acoustics for the home, being not too forceful a tone and also having a light to medium smooth touch. The information below assumes the pianos to be fully reconditioned.
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1. Blüthner patent action (See right)
These are the older ones dating from about 1880 to 1920. The action is simpler in design than the normal roller action found in nearly all other pianos. It has the advantage of being smoother, usually lighter. The action doesn't repeat as fast as the roller action, but this is not very noticeable in normal playing. The most common colours are black (40%) and rosewood (60%). They mostly have turned legs and a slatted or fretted music desk.
2. Standard roller action
These date from about 1914 onwards. By far the most common is the style 4 baby grand, 4ft 11in, which is one of the best baby grands ever made. It has a smooth touch and fine "silky" tone. They are simple in style with plain music desk and square tapered legs. These cost about £3000 to £5000 (2011) unrestored and we sell them reconditioned from around £9500 reconditioned to £18,500 (2011) fully restored and custom repolished. We normally have one or two style 4 Blüthner baby grands in stock, though they are in great demand and becomming hard to find.
Important note: Nearly all Blüthner style 4 baby grands from 1920 to 1939 need to have the "action standards" replaced as they form fissures and bow outwards, making correct regulation impossible. This work and action regulation costs about £1000+VAT (2011) provided someone has not previously attempted to repair the regulation without first replacing the standards. This second scenario is normally the case, so the piano needs re-regulating and the cost will then be around £2000 +VAT (2011).
OLDER STYLES to about 1925
Styles 5 175cm 5ft 9in. Rich tone with patent action; Turned legs and fretted or slatted music desk.
Style 6 The same as style 5 but with Aliquot stringing (see photo)
NB 175 5ft 9in Blüthner grands are far less common than the 190cm 6ft 3in.
Style 7 190cm 6ft 3in One of our favourite Blüthner grands. Most are rosewood or black. They normally have a patent action (see above). Warm rich tone with superb bass and singing treble and tenor.
Style 8 The same as style 7 but with Aliquot stringing (see photo)
Style 9 200 - 210 cm, 6ft 7in to 6ft 11in long. Rich tone with strong bass. Aliquot stringing.
Style 10 233cm 7ft 8in long, Small concert Grand
Style 11 275cm 9ft long, Concert grand
NEW STYLES FROM 1926:
Style 4a 165cm 5ft 5in is less common, the styling is the same as the style 4.
Style 12 replaced style 7 and 8 from about 1925 to 1945
The numbering is reversed from about 1945:
style 11 becomes model 1 Length: 9'2" (280 cm)
style 10 becomes model 2 Length: 7'8" (238 cm)
style 9 becomes model 4 Length: 6'10 " (210 cm)
style 8 becomes model 6 Length: 6'3" (191 cm)
style 4a becomes model 10 Length: 5'5 " (166 cm)
style 4 becomes model 11 Length: 5'1" (154cm)
Availability:
If you're searching for a restored Blüthner grand piano, bear in mind the following information about the availability.
We estimate there are about 30,000 used Bluther grand pianos in the UK, in the following proportions:
Old styles to 1945: No. of pianos in the UK:
Model 4 4ft 11in 4,000 70% mahogany, 10% walnut, 10% black, 10% other
Model 4a 5ft 5in 1,700 70% mahogany, 10% walnut, 10% black, 10% other
Model 5 5ft 9in 1,500 70% rosewood, 20% black, 10% other
Model 6 5ft 9in 1,300 60% rosewood, 30% black, 10% other
Model 7 6ft 3in 9,000 60% rosewood, 30% black, 10% other
Model 8 6ft 3in 9,000 60% rosewood, 30% black, 10% other
Model 9 6ft 8in to 6ft 11in 700 60% rosewood, 30% black, 10% other
Model 10 7ft 8in 150 50% rosewood, 40% black, 10% other
Model 11 9ft 75 20% rosewood, 70% black, 10% other
Model 12 6ft 3in 75 10% rosewood, 80% black, 10% other
New styles from 1945:
Model 11 154cm 1,100 35% mahogany, 35% black, 20% walnut, 10% other
Model 10 166cm 550 30% mahogany, 40% black, 20% walnut, 10% other
Model 6 191cm 250 25% mahogany, 55% black, 10% walnut, 10% other
Model 4 210cm 50 85% black, 15% other
Model 2 238cm 40 90% black, 10% other
Model 1 280cm 20 99% black, 1% other
3. Modern Blüthner grands from about 1958 to 1995.
Unfortunately the "iron curtain" had an adverse effect on the Blüthner grand and the materials used weren't always of good quality. Be careful when buying a Blüthner from this period.
4. Modern Blüthner grands from about 1995:
There are not many of these available, but they are generally of excellent quality, perhaps more suited to smaller rooms than the equivalent Steinway.
This refers to a system whereby an extra string was added in the treble section. In our view this unique idea doesn't really enhance the tone, though styles 8 and 6 fitted with this system are quite common and are excellent pianos.
Like the grand pianos, these have a mellow tone and smooth action. There are two main categories:
Overdampers, overstrung and straight strung:
These date from about 1888 to 1920. They are very rich in tone. The main drawback is the overdamper system. Blüthner overdampers are some of the best, but as with all overdampers, they tend to "ring on" too much in the mid treble since the dampers are too close to the top of the strings. Mostly black (50%) or rosewood (50%)
Underdampers, straight and overstrung:
These date from about 1910 onwards and have a fine rich tone and the taller ones a superb action. Mostly rosewood (60%) or black (40%).
IMPORTANT: We've found considerable inconsistency in the tone of Blüthner overstrung underdampers (not the straight strung ones which are usually consistent in tone). They often have areas that sound "boomy" or patchy, particularly in the mid treble. consequently we are very careful when buying Blüthners into stock. Should you find one for sale, we recommend getting a tuner to inspect it for you.
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Blüthner Aliquot stringing, showing the extra fourth string which is designed to vibrate in sympathy when the note is struck.
A Blüthner patent action. Photo taken of a Blüthner style 8 grand.
Blüthner grand piano, c1905-1920. Patent action with typical statted music desk. re-veneered in rosewood with light French polish._1.JPG)
A Blüthner Style 4 in flamed mahogany.JPG)
Blüthner style 4 baby grand piano in walnut.