Bechstein,
1892 6' 8" Model B (Germany)
Priced @ $32,500
(instrument located
in Southern California's Orange County/Greater Los Angeles
Metropolitan
Area, USA)
View of Fallboard..............................................
and metal plate
c.1892 Bechstein,
6' 8" Model B, executed in Walnut.
Serial
Number: 28050. The walnut case was re-finished
prior
to the 1971 acquisition by the owner.
Just
Look at Those Perfect White Original Ivories!
Incredible
condition!
Angle
views of case, keyboard, and ornately carved music rack
Registered piano tech (RPT) report summary:
The 27 bass strings have just been replaced by the piano technician to improve the bass tone. The remaining strings are to reported to be in serviceable condition and have been cleaned. The walnut case was evidently refinished prior to the owner's acquisition in 1971. There is only minor fading of the walnut color of the case on the top and sides, but less at the keyboard end of the instrument. There is minor fading on the inside of the fallboard. The inlaid brass lettering on the fallboard, although tarnished, is in perfect condition. The lettering can be easily polished. The soundboard has four small cracks, but has excellent curvature producing very good tone. The RPT does not recommend soundboard repair.
Side Profile of the Walnut Bechstein Case
The keys are in superbly original condition with NO yellowing of the ivories. This is one of the pristine features of the instrument. The damper system is newer, well adjusted, and functioning properly according to the RPT, and was probably replaced prior to 1971. The metal plate has a couple of smudged areas at the back behind the hitch pins. The RPT indicates that these can be refinished in the instrument at a cost of $100+-. No other work is needed.
Hammers and action appear
to be original and in excellent working order. Recent RPT work included
minor pedal regulation and hammer voicing. The technician believes the
tuning pins to be replacement pins probably prior to the owners acquisition
of the instrument.
View
of Original Keys in Excellent Condition
as
well as the ornately scrolled music rack.
According to the RPT, this instrument has another 40-50 years of useful life before a full restoration, due mainly to the incredible condition of the instrument. The seller found the instrument with an embroidered felt key cover under the fallboard. The instrument was obviously well nurtured during the first 79 years of its life, and has been well maintained by the present owners!
The
RPT has been in the business since 1956. He has four other Bechsteins that
he maintains on a regular basis in the Greater Los Angeles area. These
include a concert grand, as well as early 20th Century smaller case sizes
comparable to this one. The RPT considers this 1892 Bechstein to be comparable
in touch, tone, form, and function to the other Bechsteins entrusted
to his care.
Ornately
Carved Music Rack
Deferred Maintenance:
With the recent replacement of the bass strings, voicing, pedal adjustment,
addition of muffling wool around the strings, and a recent tuning, there
are no mechanical deferred maintenance items. Minor plate touch up at the
RPT's $100 estimate may be easily performed by the buyer, although the
actual cost may vary in the buyer's locale. The minor case fading is still
pleasing and should be readily acceptable to even the most discriminating
purchaser.
Seller Data:
History of the Instrument and Seller Data
Seller found the instrument in southern
England in 1971 and has lived since that time in England and Vancouver
(Canada) well as the past 14 years in Southern California. Some action
work and key leveling was done in Vancouver. The seller and his wife are
planning a lifestyle change to enable them to enjoy retirement traveling.
This will involve down sizing their living space and the purchase of a
smaller instrument. Seller will accept cashier's check
or wire transfer at shipping. No personal checks, please. Dealer inquiries
are welcome, and buyer pays his own shipping and insurance at delivery.
P&G Report:
Bechsteins are generally regarded as
prized instruments for their simple case design, European craftsmanship,
ornate legs, lyre, and music rack as accouterments to the simple case design.
The 6' 8" case size puts forth superb sound! 
The
overall case design has not really changed that much over the years. The
main weaknesses of the instrument are purely cosmetic with respect to minor
case fading and lightening caused by sunlight over the years, as well as
minor blemishes in the finish of the metal plate. The RPT indicates that
this instrument should serve well for the next 40-50 years before 
the
instrument will probably need a full restoration or more extensive work,
since this is an incredibly original well-preserved, tonal, and playable
instrument "as is".
A comparable new 7' Bechstein is over $90,000!! Bechstein instruments of this vintage are fairly rare in North America compared to what one may find in Europe, the continent of manufacture. Comparing this 1892 Walnut Bechstein Model B to our ebony finishes, the Walnut case is most likely much more rare than an ebony finished case. This Walnut case should blend well with modern decor, furniture, and accouterments of the home including the home's basic interior and exterior architecture. Many purchasers would prefer the natural wood finish to ebony in pre-20th Century pianofortes.
A 6' 8" Bechstein of this caliber is comparable to a Steinway B in overall tone and depth, but is going to sound like a Bechstein.
If the buyer is considering an old B Steinway or a comparable old Baldwin, or even a new Yamaha, this is an opportunity to broaden one's horizons.
Cost Analysis for the Instrument
"As Is"
To have an extremely playable tonal
vintage used instrument add: Acquisition Cost + $500 to $1,500+-
Shipping & Insurance + $100+- now to correct Cosmetic Maintenance +
wait 40-50 years to rebuild/restore it. This instrument should compete
very well in price, tone, looks, and performance with most, if not all
Bechstein restorations available at the present time.
1892 Bechstein
6' 8" Model B
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Disclaimer: The information contained in the listing is assumed to be correct as described by the seller and as verified in the RPT report. P&G Investments makes no warranties as to the "as is" observed condition of the instrument, or the realized cost of deferred maintenance repairs or restoration costs in the buyer's Locale, State, Province, Jurisdiction, or Country. Caveat Emptor is Latin for the English equivalent of "Let the buyer beware!" If a potential purchaser is in doubt, the purchaser should get a second or third RPT opinion on this instrument. There is no intention whatsoever by P&G Investments of misleading the public with respect to the pianoforte instrument described herein.