Is John Broadwood a good piano?

[miguisu]

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:50 am    Post subject: John Broadwood & Sons PIANO   

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hi:
I have a question related to a purchase of a grand piano.
I want to buy a second hand piano. Its brand is John Broadwood & Sons. Its serial number is 256.631. The manufacturing date is near 1945. My question is: how could i know if it is an original piano? what things should i see for ensure my doubts? is this brand a good one? how can i learn if it was made in its original country or in Asia? how much could it cost? i mean, if the piano is ok, how much money as maximun, should i pay for it? I have only one picture of it... if you wanna see it, i can send it.
Any help is the most welcome !!!
thankyou a lot for your help.
MILTON

[wishful thinker]

Hi Milton,

This piano would certainly have been built in England, though I am not too sure about the 1945 date.  There wasn't any piano production during the war, and it took a while to pick up afterwards.  It is probably pre 1939 (though maybe not sold until after the war).

Broadwood is a very old make indeed: the firm is over 250 years old.  Beethoven owned a Broadwood grand, which has been restored and is still used for recitals/recordings.

However quality varied greatly when new, and it is impossible to say what it is worth now without seeing it or knowing where you are (you also don't say what size it is).  Your best bet is to get a local piano technician to check it out and give you his/her opinion.

A baby/mid sized grand of this age in the Uk, unrestored, is likely to be worth a few hundred pounds - if you can get anyone to buy it.

[richard black]

Many Broadwoods from the early 20th century are still very fine pianos. Look out especially for the barless grands - yes, a grand piano with a frame tough enough to need no reinforcing bars over the top of the strings. All the ones I've played sounded very nice.