Bluthner/Steinway pianos rebuilt by Schimmel

[pogmoger]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum, and I've enjoyed reading through some of the older threads. Very informative.

At the moment, I'm looking to buy a decent used grand piano - most likely a Bluthner or a Steinway. There are of course a lot of dealers out there selling all sorts of these instruments in all kinds of conditions, so I'm proceeding cautiously and trying to ask lots of relevant questions. One dealer I have visited (in Oslo, Norway) apparently has a warehouse full of old Bluthner/Steinway/Bechstein/Bosendorfers which he sends to the Schimmel factory in Poland to be rebuilt. The original soundboards are retained, but otherwise I believe most parts are exchanged for newer ones.

Does anyone have any experience with Schimmel rebuilds of non-Schimmel instruments? I played a hundred year old Bluthner that was on display, which was a fantastic instrument at a reasonable price. But I'm a little concerned that they don't use Bluthner parts and that what I will end up with will be a strange Schimmel-Bluthner hybrid and that this could seriously affect resale value if I want to trade up in the future. When I asked the dealer if Bluthner parts were used, he said that they 'probably' were, but he'd have to find out for me.

Another option for me is a used Steinway O from the local Steinway dealer. It's not arrived in the store yet and I don't have all the details, but I think it was from the late 70s. As far as I'm aware, it hasn't had a full rebuild from the factory in Hamburg, but will undergo more simple repair work by a Steinway technician at the showroom in Oslo. However I'm concerned about how long a piano which is nearing 40 years old will last before it needs some major work done to it. Might I have to go to the expense of sending it to Hamburg for a costly rebuild 10-20 years down the line?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/comments.

[hfmadopter]

I don't believe that Schimmel rebuilds other brand pianos at their factory. They purchased a piano rebuilding facility over there someplace and I imagine rebuilding of brands other than their own is done there.

I doubt they used Schimmel parts in a Bluthner, however they may well have used aftermarket parts such as Renner or the like ( not saying they did mind you, I wouldn't know that). Most likely top grade at any rate. Maybe just wait for the dealer to get back to you and see what they say about that..

That said, a complete rebuild usually includes a new pin block, that would be the most expensive piece to possibly go out on you further down the road ( again not saying it will, my piano was built in 1998 and has the original pin block). Even then all is not lost if they didn't replace that, pin block life can be extended if it doesn't crack ( drilling and over sized pins  work well )..

 Any piano can have trouble in 70 years time, even a new piano. I suggest that if a piano you like is in good shape, the price right and you like it in a way that feels as if you want to play it over and over again then go for it ! Have a tech check it out first, make sure it's what the seller says it is.

[pogmoger]

OK, I didn't know that Schimmel had a dedicated rebuilding facility separate from their factory. In that case, you're probably right - that will be where these rebuilt pianos come from.

In any case, I stopped by the dealer again today and they had a Bechstein model A from 1912 which I liked even better than the Bluthner. They have a Steinway and a Bosendorfer coming in sometime in the next few months too, so I'll take my time and find out which instrument I think plays best and then get an independent technician to have a look before I buy anything.