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Blüthner Grand Pianos

We normally stock at least three restored Blüthner grand pianos between 5ft and 6ft 3in long. 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 an aesthetically pleasing cabinet.

/Blüthner patent action

These are unique to Blüthner and date from about 1885 to 1925.

Photo taken of a Blüthner style 5 grand with a Blüthner patent action (See image) These are the older ones dating from about 1880 to 1924. 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 noticeable unless playing very fast repetition such as in Rapsody in Blue. Some restorers fit a modern action into the older pianos.

/Standard roller action

Blüthner roller-action are commonly found after about 1920, though there is a cross-over period and some patent actions appear after this date.

These start from about 1920 onwards though most are from out about 1926. 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 (2014) unrestored and we sell them reconditioned from around £9500 to £18,500 (2014) fully restored and custom re-polished. We normally have one or two style 4 Blüthner baby grands in stock, though they are in great demand and becoming hard to find. The most common veneer/colour is mahogany.

Patent action

Standard roller action

/Blüthner style 4 baby grand pianos

Many 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 £1200+VAT (2014) provided someone has not previously attempted to repair the regulation without first replacing the standards. This second scenario is often the case, so the piano needs re-regulating and the cost will then be around £2300 +VAT (2014).

/Blüthner grand pianos from about 1958

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.

/Modern Blüthner grand pianos 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.

/Models of Blüthner grand pianos found in the UK

Older Styles to about 1925 (mostly patent actions)

StyleComment
55ft 9in Rich tone with patent action; turned legs and fretted or slatted music desk.
They normally have a patent action (see above).
65ft 9in. Same as above with Aliquot stringing. Patent action
76ft 3in. Most are rosewood or black. Warm rich tone with superb bass and singing treble and tenor. Patent action
86ft 3in. The same as style 7 but with Aliquot stringing (see photo) Patent action
96ft 9in – 6 ft 11in. Rich tone with strong bass. Aliquot stringing; patent action
107ft 8in Small concert Grand.
119ft 2in Concert grand

New Styles From 1926 – roller actions

StyleComments
44ft 11in; popular small grand piano with a rich silky tone.
4a5ft 5in; less common, the styling is the same as the style 4
126ft 3in. Replaced style 7 and 8 from about 1925 to 1945. The numbering is reversed from about 1945. Very few in the UK
11Becomes model 1 Length: 9’2″ (280 cm)
style 10 becomes model 2 Length: 7’8″ (238 cm)
9Becomes model 4 Length: 6’10 ” (210 cm)
8Becomes model 6 Length: 6’3″ (191 cm)
4aBecomes model 10 Length: 5’5 ” (166 cm)
4Becomes model 11 Length: 5’1″ (154cm)

/Veneers/colours

ModelSizeNo. in UKFinish
11154cm1,10035% mahogany, 35% black, 20% walnut, 10% other
10166cm55030% mahogany, 40% black, 20% walnut, 10% other
6191cm25025% mahogany, 55% black, 10% walnut, 10% other
4210cm5085% black, 15% other
2238cm4090% black, 10% other
1280cm2099% black, 1% other

/Patent Aliquot scaling

Bluthner designed a 4th string to enhance the power of their characteristically ‘soft’ treble. The string is elevated which means the hammer is not struck by the hammer. Instead the strings played transfer the vibration through the laws of physics of sound vibrations. Practically it is harder to tune as the tuner needs to pluck this extra string.

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