  Bluthner Aliquot stringing, showing the extra fourth string which is designed to vibrate in sympathy when the note is struck.  A Bluthner patent action. Photo taken of a Bluthner style 8 grand.  Bluthner style 9, grand piano c1895-1905, in French polished rosewood with typical fretted desk.  Bluthner grand piano, c1905-1920. Patent action with typical statted music desk. re-veneered in rosewood with light French polish. _1.JPG) A Bluthner Style 4 in flamed mahogay, in stock. .JPG) Bluthner style 4 baby grand piano in walnut.
Brief information on the best and most commonly available used Bluthner pianos in the UK
We normally stock at least three restored Bluthner grand pianos and an upright. If you're thinking of buying a professionally reconditioned Bluthner 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. Bluthner was the leading manufacturer of domestic pianos around 1900, having ideal acoustics for the home, being not too forceful a tone. The information below assumes the pianos to be fully reconditioned.
:
1. Bluthner 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 (60%) and rosewood (40%). They nearly all have turned legs and a slatted or fretted music desk.
2. Standard roller action
These date from about 1914 to 1950. 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 unrestored and we sell them reconditioned from £8500 to £16,500 fully restored and custom repolished. We normally have one or two style 4 Bluthner baby grands in stock.
Important note: Nearly all Bluthner style 4 baby grands from 1920 to 1939 need to have the "action standards" replaced as they bow outwards, making correct regulation impossible. This work and the re-regulation costs about £1000.
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 7 but with Aliquot stringing (see photo)
Style 7 190cm 6ft 3in One of our favourite Bluthner 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 Far 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)
If you're searching for a restored Bluthner 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 2,800 70% mahogany, 20% black, 10% other
Model 6 5ft 9in 2,500 60% rosewood, 30% black, 10% other
Model 7 6ft 3in 8,000 60% rosewood, 30% black, 10% other
Model 8 6ft 3in 8,000 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 Bluthner grands from about 1960 to 1995.
Unfortunately the "iron curtain" had an adverse effect on the Bluthner grand and the materials used weren't always of good quality. Be careful when buying a Bluthner from this period.
4. Modern Bluthner 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 novel 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. Bluthner 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 (60%) or rosewood (40%)
Underdampers, straight and overstrung:
These have a fine rich tone and the taller ones a superb action. Mostly rosewood (70%) or black (30%).
IMPORTANT: We've found considerable inconsistency in the tone of Bluthner overstrung underdampers (not the straight strung ones). They often have areas that sound "boomy" ot patchy, particularly in the mid treble. consequently we are very careful when buying Bluthners into stock.
back to top
|
