[CAUT] New Bechsteins / David I.

[Richard Brekne]

Thats not the first time I've gotten that question. Dont really know.  
If they send them out at the same time then you have the US mail 
efficiency to blame I suppose.  If they send out to us a bit early 
thinking it takes a while longer to get to internationals then I suppose 
some might get them quickly, and some might have to deal with a month 
delay... depending on where they live in the world.

In anycase... I really was suprised to see the picture.  I havent seen a 
new Bechstein since their recent demise. And details of what is produced 
in Berlin are sketchy yet.  Still... gone are the treble agraffes... 
gone are their short muted front lengths.  Looks like a Steinway stamp 
copy now... at least from the very superficial perspective a picture gives.

The back lengths have what appear to be movable individual aliquot 
termination, The front duplex looks to be terminated by tappered brass 
halfrounds... also look to be moveable, angled in that typical Steinway 
angle.

I'd be reallllll curious to do a close comparison between the last 
series of Becsteins produced in their classic style and these.  I 
understand (but am far from certain of) that quite a few of the same 
people are still actually working at the factory in Berlin... and it is 
in Berlin the grands are end assembled.  If so however... old traditions 
die hard under such conditions... and it is quite possible that much of 
the rest of the design remains unaltered... which might make for an 
interesting mix of sounds.

I am reminded of a Grotrian that was rebuilt at the Bechstein factory I 
ran into.  I'd love to take this thing over to a convention as an 
offering to the rebuilders gang.  The most curious mix of Grotrian and 
Bechstein <<sounds>> you could imagine.

Cheers
RicB


    How is it you get the Journal before I do in San Francisco?

    David Ilvedson, RPT
    Pacifica, CA  9404