My new Bluthner

[kamike]

Greetings,
Since this is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, the dream I've had nearly all my life, I just had to share it with someone.  Here is a link to photos, on move-in day, of my new Bluthner Model II, purchased in Portland, Oregon (Classic Pianos).

https://email.bmwlt.com/users/kamike/Pictures/Bluthner/

The sound and touch are phenomenal, IMHO.

[sleepingcats]

Congratulations on your new grand! It's beautiful!

I was going to stop in at Classic Pianos today after my piano lesson, but I had to cancel the lesson due to a conflict in my schedule. Perhaps next Friday. 

What music do you like to play? Are you taking lessons?

[kamike]

Thanks for taking a look.

Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Brahms, Schumann are among my favorites, although I want to expand my horizons.   I have recently returned to the piano, and have not yet found a teacher here in Eugene.

What are your interests, musically?

[zheer]

Bluthner is one of my vave pianos, your piano is fantastic i wish you all the best.
However why is your house made from wood thats a little dangerious is it not.

[g_s_223]

Gorgeous!

Let's have a recording for the Audition Room soon...

[Kassaa]

Nice! A few months ago a salesman led me through a piano store where they sold Bluthners, played on all of them . They are great piano's, great touch and sound! I've heard that the recent Bluthners are of a way better quality than the old ones, is that true?

[kamike]

I am not aware of a period or time of particular or significant problems with build quality.  However the Bluthner company went through the whole WWII/East Germany trauma with the factory first blown up and then years of communist involvement.  It couldn't have been easy, and Bluthner's were very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain in the west during communist rule.  They have been rebuilding the western network since then.

[iumonito]

I am drooling.  Do post a recording soon.  Your repertoire sounds perfect for it.  Did you know Bluethner was Debussy's favorite piano?

[hockeyguy]

May I ask how much off retail/or price paid?
It is a wonderful piano.

[tosca1]

Hi Kamike,
Thank you for the photos of your new magnificent looking and no doubt, sounding Blüthner
grand piano.
I have had a long association with Blüthner pianos and in fact I had a Blüthner vertical piano for a number of years and that was a lovely piano although it had the old style over damper "bird cage" action.  The Blüthner piano has a characteristic singing tone of great warmth with a full, yet creamy bass.

It is wonderful to know that the Blüthner firm is now again producing glorious pianos after the destruction of the factory in World War 2 and its long period of re-establishing its reputation.

Your purchase and realisation of your dream is inspirational.

Thank you.
Robert.

[chickering9]

Absolutely gorgeous piano!  (Love that inner rim.)

One comment--this is about the third very expensive grand I've seen in photos in as many days that arrived with a lot of dust on the soundboard.  I'm surprised dealers aren't cleaning them up thoroughly, before or immediately after delivery.  Certainly wouldn't stop me from buying such a beautiful instrument, but it would seem a courtesy for the dealers to clean them up for helping pay their rent. (Profit margins can't be that bad.)

[kamike]

Thank you, all, for taking some time to share my excitement - it was most kind.

Regarding the dust, it does bother me, some... I got so caught up with the sound, playing the instrument, researching the company, and the financial aspect, that I forgot to bring this issue up with the dealer prior to delivery.  I am not sure how to clean it myself.  The technician is coming next month and, hopefully, he can make some recommendations or, better yet, clean it himself. 

Cost - with no disrespect to Classic Pianos (IMHO they were very good - a company managed by a piano technician who specializes in rebuilding pianos - perfect) - some aspects of piano sales DO seem a lot like car sales.  Haggling is acceptable.  This particular piano was actually a 2003 "150 year anniversary" edition.  For reasons that I can only speculate on, they could not sell this piano in a prompt manner, and I suspect that interest owed was beginning to seriously jeopardize any potential profit.  Based on my limited research, it seems our "deal" was in the neighborhood of a 35 to 40% discount.  (Bluthners were a relative bargain several years ago, but demand has helped bring prices up)  The sale price included delivery, artists bench, and one major tuning/voicing by a good technician not employed by the dealer.

After the holidays are done I will see what can be done here to make a small recording to post on this site for the purpose of sampling the sound of the Bluthner. 

[impetuouslist]

What a magnificent instrument. Is it a new one? I couldn't quite make out what size it is when I viewed the photographs.

I have two friends with Bluthner grands (both rebuilds) and one friend with an upright. I've played all 3 of them and they are wonderful. To me, they have a 'bell like' tone, I suppose, probably reminiscent of Bechstein.

You will have many, many hours of pleasure with it.

Congratulations on purchasing such a beautiful instrument.

Imp.

[kamike]

Yes, it is/was new.  Never owned by anyone except the dealer.  It is a model 2, 7'-8" long.

It's hard to describe the sound exactly, but the higher notes are, indeed, bell - like.  Bluthner grands have a fourth string on the treble notes that is not struck by the hammer.  This is supposed to bring out these notes by sympathetic vibration.  Seems to work.  Otherwise, the instrument has a warm, honest sound, but does not have as many overtones as, say, many of the Steinways that I tried.  Also the sustain is incredible, even at low volume. 

[classicarts]

Yes, it is/was new.  Never owned by anyone except the dealer.  It is a model 2, 7'-8" long.

It's hard to describe the sound exactly, but the higher notes are, indeed, bell - like.  Bluthner grands have a fourth string on the treble notes that is not struck by the hammer.  This is supposed to bring out these notes by sympathetic vibration.  Seems to work.  Otherwise, the instrument has a warm, honest sound, but does not have as many overtones as, say, many of the Steinways that I tried.  Also the sustain is incredible, even at low volume. 

Can you tell us the final price on this piano?

[helga]

Congratulations, Kamike
Isn't it an exciting instrument to own?! Soon you'll start treating Mr.Bluthner like a family member or even better. I do. I own Model 4. It's a gorgeous sound. It didn't take me long though to wish to upgrade to model 2. Before you bought your Model 2 did you own a piano? If you did, was it part of your transaction with the Classic Pianos? I would be interested to know the details.
How many hours a day do you spend at your piano? By the way, did you know that Debussy owned a Bluthner grand?
Have a great time playing your new piano.
Helga

[kamike]

I did not really ever "own" a piano.  I suffered through years of lessons, as a kid, on a bad $50 upright, then went through the usual progression of practice pianos at high school, college, etc. intersperced with brief moments of glory on an occasional Baldwin, Steinway, or Yamaha concert grand... 

My ex-wife had a very bad spinnet piano.  I hated it.. felt like Schroeder playing to Lucy.. and wanted to buy an new one, for years, but it was a "keepsake" (who would want to keep that pile of junk I don't know) and replacement was not negotiable.

Well, when she left me, so did the bad piano.  Can't say I missed either.  At any rate, I saved like crazy and, 4 years later, the big "B" sits in the living room.  Finding this piano was a crazy coincidence, so much so that sometimes I'm tempted to think it was fate, because I was shopping for used grands, and had my eye on either a 1936 C. Bechstein or a 1912 Steinway "B."

Yes, a "member of the family" is an apt description.  For me it is a humbling experience to think that this privilege is mine, for now - to play on such an instrument.  Definitely the instrument is better than the owner, but is very kind and accommodating due to it's fabulous warmth and touch.

I have read about Debussy's Bluthner, on an internet site, actually.
https://www.litart.co.uk/
and I believe that the Bluthner sound is exceptional for Debussy.

My work and other responsibilities, right now, allow for several hours each day to play, and that is not enough.

The model 4 must be a great piano, too.  It would be a better fit for most homes, than the model 2.

[helga]

Kamike,
Thank you for your reply. I love your story but it's not clear to me: did you save for 4 years with the Bluthner sound in mind or you didn't even know such a piano existed? I recently met a person who had been shopping for a US made grand and never even heard of the Bluthner name. He was completely blown away by the sound and, upon his research, the fact that the piano company has been operating as a family business or under the supervision of the Bluthner family since 1853. He ended up buying a Bluthner piano, of course.
Speaking about you private lessons, you might check for teachers names at Classic Pianos. I believe this is the store that provided Bluthner pianos a year or two ago for a piano teachers' workshop in Eugene. I know for sure that most pianos at that workshop were Bluthners. It was a very well organized event, and I'm sure the organizers of it will have a list of reputable piano teachers in your area. I would do extensive research though before signing up with anyone. When I was looking for a piano teacher for my child I got appalled at how many incompetent and plain unprofessional teachers there are out there who have no or little skill to teach music.
Here is another link to the picture of Debussy's piano (it looks like Model 4 to me): https://www.musee-labenche.com. It's the website for the French museum that actually has the famous piano.
In the meantime, have great fun with your piano and keep us posted on your progress as a musician.

[kamike]

Helga,
I had never heard of or played a Bluthner prior to seeing my piano.

Do you live in my area?  Thanks for the advice on finding a teacher.  I would like to hear more of your ideas on this.  Please PM me if you have a chance.

[infectedmushroom]

Wow, I have one word for this instrument:



AWESOME.

[jamie_liszt]

congratz on the new piano, i bet it feelz and sounds great

[buddy]

I see why you could appreciate my joy.  Congratulations on your new piano.  It is beautiful.  I know that it will give you such pleasure and will make you a better player because you will love playing it.

[pianorama]

Beautiful piano! I wish I had a grand. I've never played or even heard of a Bluthner before

[dinosaurtales]

I was "this" close to buying a model 2 when I shopped - they are just outstanding - sounds like dark chocolate.  Those pianos were "made" for Beethoven!

Gorgeous!  Did you get that one at Classic Pianos in Portland?  I live in Portland is why I ask!

Congrats!  It's fabulous!

[kamike]

Gorgeous! Did you get that one at Classic Pianos in Portland? I live in Portland is why I ask!

Congrats! It's fabulous!

Yes, I purchased the piano at Classic Pianos.  It would be great to meet sometime. 

If you ever get down my way you'd be welcome to play this piano.  In my opinion this piano should be shared, if possible, with better pianists.

[anschlag]

Great piano! Hope it sounds as good as it looks. Being a Bluethner it is sure to...