Bechstein Grotrian

[Joseph Garrett]

Richard,
As Grotrian is my all time favorite piano, your description, of what was
perped on this instrument, is enough to make a person barf!. What a shame.
Regards,
Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Brekne" <rbrekne@broadpark.no>
To: "PTG" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2001 11:29 AM
Subject: Bechstein Grotrian


> Ran into a curiousity today I thought I would share with you all. It
> was a rebuilt Grotrian Steinweg 220 #68315 or close to that.. I have
> my notes out in the car... Anyways supposedly from around the 30's
> Noticed right away that the board had been shimmed... and it was by
> no means a world class peice of woodworking. I am not all that great
> at shimming...prefering epoxy for the job.. but I coulda matched
> this work. Suprised me as this piano was rebuilt at the Bechstein
> factory 3 years ago and sold to its present owner for 135 grand DM.
> A nice chunk of money. Panel had not been given more then a very
> very light brushing of shellack for a finish. But ok... plent of
> crown everywhere according to my handy dandy g-string test
> anyways... Ok string bearing...actually a bit on the high side for
> an oldie... in places...
>
> But what was curioius is that Bechstein decided to do the non
> speaking lenghts Bechstein style. Gone were the brass half rounds
> and the backscale was all muted off.. Very low angle up from the
> aggraffees (painted gold by the way when the plate was
> sprayed...also suprised me) and the capo bar over a really wide felt
> / wood cusion placed about 3 mm away from the agraffes and 5 mm or
> so away from the capo.
>
> Interesting sound created. You could hear a lot of the Grotian left
> in it... but this was no Grotrian sound for sure. Non of  that after
> whoooshhh.... cymbaleeze soundish... just a very clear solid sound.
> I didnt like it at the very first.. but after tuning and playing a
> bit... it actually sounded quite nice in deed. If anything it coulda
> used a bit more sustain.
>
> Half Grotrian and Half Bechstein... suprisingly sloppy
> workmanship... new hammers were not put on all that well,,, had like
> 65 grams down weight and 35 up.. No tail shapping done.. lots left
> undone from the old action.. Brand new paint job too... plast lak...
> on an oldie... what a shame.
>
> all in all an interesting piano.
>
> --
> Richard Brekne
> RPT, N.P.T.F.
> Bergen, Norway
> mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no
>
>