Antique Pianos

About 50% of all pianos in the UK are over 100 years old and therefore qualify to be defined as antiques. Most clients who are looking for antique pianos usually have in mind those that have decorative casework or with figured rosewood or walnut veneer. These generally date before 1915.

Please note that we deal only with pianos from 1877 when the first full iron frame pianos were made, enabling them to have the powerful tone of a modern piano. If they are carefully restored then they can have every bit as good a touch as a modern piano, with the added bonus of often having a richer warmer tone.

NB: A high proportion of antique Steinways and other makes have 85 notes instead of the usual 88, except Bluthner grands which nearly always have 88. However, these extra top notes, Bb, B and C, are hardly used at all and certainly not needed for any exam pieces up to diploma standard.

Bluthner, Steinway and some Bechstein grand pianos are our main stock items of antique pianos. Please note that while Steinways and Bechsteins have roller actions like a modern piano, all Bluthner grands made before about 1920 have “patent” actions which if well regulated are beautifully smooth but don’t perform well with very fast repetition (eg in Rapsody in Blue).

Here are some images of antique pianos we regularly have in stock. Please enquire if you are interested in obtaining one similar to those illustrated.

Steinway Model A grand piano in rosewood. This is the most common style of Steinway grand from before 1900. They have often been restored in the 1920s and had the turned legs and lyre and fretted desk replaced with with square legs and lyre and a plain desk. They are mostly 85 note grands, the longer model B, which is less common, often has 88 notes.

The “Rio rosewood” veneer is highly attractive and we French polish with about 30 coats finished with antique waxing to bring about the best in the grain.

The touch restores well and feels firm and as heavy as a modern touch. The tone can be patchy in the mid treble if the downbearing is not improved or the soundboard replaced if necessary. The bass tone is one of the best on any grand piano.

Steinway model O grand piano in rosewood. This is the most common Steinway from about 1900 to 1939. The veneer is not as decorative as the older Steinways and rosewood is increasingly replaced with mahogay which is a plainer veneer.

The touch and tone of these, if properly restored, can be exquisite – a firm slightly lighter than modern touch and a bell-like tone which is even throughout.

Bluthner Style 7 grand piano in rosewood. The highly succesful style 7 and 8 Bluthner 6ft 3in Bluthner grand pianos from about 1885 to 1925 are as highly regarded as Steinway and generally have a mellower tone. The quality control is very consistent and older Bluthner always restore well. Bear in mind that the action is usually the “Patent” style – please see our Bluthner page for details.

The veneer is about 80% rosewood, 18% black and 2% other finishes. We nearly always have rosewood Bluthners in stock and also restore clients’ pianos.

Bluthner Style IV grand piano in walnut, 4ft 11in. Being made between about 1920 and 1939 these are not antique pianos yet (2015) but we’ve included them as they are so popular. The walut one illustrated with cabriole legs represents about 1% of all Bluthner style IV grands, the rest being mahogany (85%), black (5%) and 9% other.

Please note that the style IV is a very short grand and while a grand action is better than an upright one (see grand piano page), the string length in the bass is shorter than uprights over 120cm high. Even so, the piano is very well designed and the tone rich for a small piano.