Sell Your Bechstein Piano: We purchase Bechstein grand and baby grand aswell as Bechstein uprights. We are especially keen on those made between 1890 to 1930, and also some modern ones. Models from VI (6) to X (10) uprights and all models of grand pianos preferably in light wooden colours. For more information on Bechstein pianos please click here
Please send us an email with the following information to: info@robertspianos.com or phone 01865 240634 (At this stage, you don’t need to send any photographs, though they would be useful to assess more accurately how much your piano is worth.)
- Is it an upright or a grand?
- Make of piano?
- Height of upright or the length of the grand: (measured from the front of the keys to the back of the pianos
- Serial number if available
- How much use has the piano had?, if known
- Is the casework in original condition?
- Brief comments on the condition of the piano in general?
- The piano taken from the front slightly to one side
- Close-up of the keys and name
- Close-up of the front with the lid closed
- The serial number or the piano on the frame or elsewhere if you can find it
- About 10 hammers in the mid treble taken from above showing the indentation in the end of them
- The strings and tuning pins taken towards from the middle, showing especially where the strings are wound onto the tuning pins
- The soundboard behind or under the strings
- Any obvious defects
List of the most common models of Bechstein grand pianos in the UK:
| Model | Length | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Model A | 5ft 11in (182cm) long | 1902 to 1930 usually rosewood or black. Bechstein’s earlier ones were made with turned legs and later with square tapered or gate legs. The best have a rich, natural and powerful tone. Older Model A Bechstein grand pianos have 85 keys. |
| 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 and ornate music desk. The best have a very warm rich tone. |
| Model IV | 7ft 2in (218cm) long | 1890 to 1902. Not common. These have a deep and powerful tone, turned legs and fretted desk, usually with good figured rosewood cases. |
| Model C | 7ft 4in (225cm) long | 1890 to 1902. Very uncommon |
List of the most common model of Bechstein Upright pianos in the UK:
| Model | Length | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Models 10 to (or V up to 1902) | 127cm (50in) tall | This model has 85 notes and is Bechstein’s straight-strung model, usually available in Ebonised or Rosewood, though many have inlaid marquetry |
| Models 9 (or IV up to 1902 ) | 122cm (48in) tall | This model has 85 notes and is Bechstein’s smaller overstrung model, and available in various woods |
| Models 8 (or III up to 1902) | 127cm (50in) tall | This model has 88 notes and is available in Rosewood, Ebonised, Walnut and Maple |
| Model 6 (or ‘I’ up to 1902) | 145cm (57½in) tall | This model has 88 notes and is usually found in Rosewood or Ebonised |
| Model 7 (or ‘II’ up to 1902) | 138cm (54½in) tall | This model comes with 88 notes and is usually available in Rosewood or Ebonised |
London Bechstein is a 4ft 9in baby grand piano, made from about 1920 to 1930 and designed by Max Poser, was thought to have been made by Welmar and has several similarities in construction (information supplied by Alastair Laurence). C.Bechstein was Founded in 1853 by Carl Bechstein. By 1900 Bechstein was producing over five thousand pianos anually. It was also the year that Carl died and his sons Johann, Carl and Edwin took the reigns of the bechstien empire. The company was amongst Europe’s best. It was only after 2 world wars and an economic depression that Bechstein was left almost ruined but was able to recover and rebuild itself. In 1963 Bechstien was brought by Baldwin pianos and later on in 1989 was brought by a skilled dealer/technician called Karl Schulze who reorganised the company technically and financially bringing back the original craftmanship put into the first pianos. All 3 factories were sold an combined in to one up to date factory in Berlin with the hope of restoring the historic Bechstein standard of production. In the early 1990′s Bechstien bought up W.Hoffmann and Zimmermann (other piano makes) and has recently (December 2002) been bought up by Samick Musical Instruments Co. Ltd. All Bechstiens have Renner actions, European spruce soundboards, beech rims and 3 pedals are standard on their grand, baby grand and upright pianos. For a full range of second hand Bechstein pianos and other new and used pianos in stock click here
IMPORTANT: Upright models V to I (pre 1902) often suffer from loose tuning pins due to the tuning block during that period not standing up to modern heating. These can be replaced at the cost of £2000 (2013).
For a quote on your piano please send us an email with the piano make, model, serial number, estimated age and pictures of the piano to: info@robertspianos.com Other makes of piano that we are looking for: Allison (baby grand), Bechstein, Challen, Chappell, Fazer (upright), Feurich, Gors and Kallman, Ibach, John Broadwood, Kaps (upright), Kawai, Kemble, Knight, Richard Lipp (grand), Rogers (George), Sauter, Seiler, Steinway, Welmar, Zender… Please enquire for other makes.