Archive for February, 2019

GEBR. SCHULZ

Saturday, February 23rd, 2019

Gebr. Schulz pianos are known as a regional piano brand that has been in existence since 1888. The Schulz family was involved for almost a generation before. The original Schulz and his partner, Mr. Helfferich owned the famous Grotrian Steinweg GmbH Pianos company. At that time Mr. Schulz’s son Albert was a designer for the iconic Ibach pianos in the early 1900s. Together they set up Gebr. Schulz Piano Company. They made and sold pianos from their factory in Wiesbaden Germany. This is the headquarters and workshop to this day. At this time Gebr. Schulz was available mostly in Germany.

Five generations later Christoph Schulz continues the legend. Globalization in manufacturing brought in Frederik Steffes and Colin Taylor. Steffes who, until recently owned the Wilh. Steinberg piano factory in Eisenberg, Germany. Taylor, formerly with Bösendorfer was also one of the founders of Joseph Brodmann pianos. The collaboration of these three men has launched Gebr. Schulz into a global network. Schulz is now extending their reach to include Europe, the USA and the Far East.

Using global partners the journey goes on. The dedication of building German scale designs and European influence continues. Schulz has coupled the heritage of traditional construction with intelligent global manufacturing processes. At the same time keeping the prices affordable and realistic. Today they are investigating improvements of the piano action and keyboard. These investigations are producing lovely European sounds and smooth action results. This combination is seldom found in instruments in this price range.

An interesting story is found here about the heritage of Gebr. Schulz:https://njnnetwork.com/2012/03/a-piano-from-germany-with-a-colorful-past/

Frederick Steffes and Scott Shebeck at NAMM 2019

In the USA, Gebr. Schulz is distributed by Piano Marketing Group. For more information contact Scott Shebeck at Piano Marketing Group or send message below.

BRODMANN PIANO

Sunday, February 17th, 2019

The Beginning

The infamous Joseph Brodmann was born in 1763. As a young man he made his way to Vienna, Austria to become an apprentice. The piano builder that hired him was none other than Frederick Hoffman. And there in that Vienna studio Brodmann learned the art of piano making. The finest craftsmen in the world were his teachers.

Joseph Brodmann

In 1800 he was listed as “Joseph Brodmann – instrument maker, excelled in constructing horizontal fortepianos of solid finish”. By 1805, government records along with business logs listed Brodmann. He was recorded “Piano and Organ builder”.

His inventions and inputs throughout his career are still in practice in some part today. He made some of the most important improvements ever. Additionally, Brodmanns changes in the soundboard alone were groundbreaking for the time. His input on rib design makes the soundboards more stable.

Joseph Brodmann Pianoforte

Highly Respected

Many famous musicians, conductors, writers, composers and enthusiasts owned a Brodmann piano and wrote about it in their diaries. The charm of its tone, the tenderness of its touch and the character in its performance made it famous.

Ignaz Bosendorfer

A Slight Twist In Fate

In the early 1800s Ignaz Bosendorfer began his apprenticeship under the talented hands of Joseph Brodmann. In 1828 Bosendorfer produced his first piano and gave honor to Joseph Brodmann. The fallboard said “Made in the workshop of Joseph Brodmann”.

The rich Viennese character of Brodmann pianos continue to this day. Each piano is carefully constructed using only the very finest components available creating the European Scale Design it has always been famous for.

Brodmann PE 162 in Applewood

How Can I Own A Brodmann Piano

Today, Brodmann is represented in the U.S.A. by Piano Marketing Group. From the home offices located in Tustin, CA Brodmann is distributed throughout the U.S.A. to caring dealers. Each dealer is specifically chosen because of their reputation and dedication to fine pianos.

To find out more visit www.brodmannpianousa.com

WALTER PIANO TRANSPORT

Tuesday, February 12th, 2019

I have written about these guys before several years ago. I just had to spend a moment talking about them again.

WHO ARE THEY?

Hope Walter and her husband Kevin have an unrivaled team of professional piano movers at Walter Piano Transport . They expertly execute professional and private piano moves all over the United States.

WHY HIRE A PROFESSIONAL?

Some wrongly assume they can handle their piano move by themselves. They put their prized possession in the hands of furniture movers who know nothing (all though all movers say they handle pianos) about moving pianos.

I get calls on a regular basis from customers who have moved across country or across the state or across town complaining that they have lost parts of their grand pianos or have a broken pedal on their upright. Worse yet, there are a lot of broken legs and damaged case parts because “the guy who said he knows how to move pianos” doesn’t.

Hope and her staff are not only pros at moving but more importantly, they love what they do and do it with the care your piano needs.

WHAT INFORMATION DO THEY NEED TO GIVE A QUOTE?

Generally speaking they are going to need to know where you are moving from and if there are any steps, strange turns, etc. Then, of course, they need to know if they are moving an upright or a grand and what size they are. If you are not sure, if you can provide a model of your piano they can help figure that out.

Trust me – if you are moving across the country trust a group of professionals to handle the job. You will be glad you did. Take a look at their website here, give them a call and get a quote on your next job.

Ric Overton

WILH. STEINBERG

Friday, February 8th, 2019

Wilh. Steinberg is by no means a new brand to the United States but it is simply being reintroduced with a new marketing strategy.

What’s the Story with Steinberg?

Wilh. Steinberg was established in 1877 in the quaint village of Eisenberg, Germany. They thrived very well through the years and built quite a name for themselves as what one might call a “salon piano” or a specialty piano that was built to order.

Signature Series Hammers By Renner

Quality workmanship and handcrafted pianos are a norm in Germany. Wilh. Steinberg positioned themselves as a silent giant because of their tone character and unusual finishes. Some industry experts consider Wilh Steinberg an unsung hero of the industry raising the bar in tone and appearance. They never garnered the iconic German names of Grotrian or Steinway, etc. but have always managed to do business in a simply elegant approach.

Latest Update:

In July, 2013 a company based out of Hong Kong named Parsons Music Ltd. purchased the Wilh. Steinberg factory because of it’s unique position in the market, the positive value and their reputation. Parsons has piano investments all over the world they are also among the largest piano manufacturers globally. Most importantly, Parsons decided to leave the German factory intact and add an additional line that would enhance Seinberg sales and profits.

Ina From Wilh. Steinberg Factory

Presently the company offers two lines of pianos. The more economical line is based on the German scale design but is hand assembled in China by some of the finest craftsmen available in the piano industry. This series of pianos are called the Performance series.

Different Models

The Performance Series incorporates the German scale design by including a German soundboard, German action and action parts, German strings and German hammers. It is available in both upright and grand models with a few different color variations available in most models.


The more professional line is made in German by Master Craftsmen with the experience that comes with a handmade German piano. The Signature Series are made in Germany. This series feature some of the oldest techniques in manufacturing and are entirely built by hand in their factory in Eisenberg. The unique qualities of their manufacturing process make these pianos very attractive. The price is affordable, the cabinets are lovely and the tone is strikingly elegant.

Wilh. Steinberg S130 in Ash Wood

Under the watchful eye of Ina Lehman and her staff at the direction of Parsons, I believe we are about to see a real mark with Wilh. Steinberg in the United States. Wilh. Steinberg is distributed in the U.S. by Piano Marketing Group. For more information simply fill in the comment area and someone will get back to you.

Ric Overton

PIANO MARKETING GROUP

Friday, February 1st, 2019

Of course I am a little biased BUT it is my blog so I get to start wherever I want to……..LOL.

WHAT WE DO

Along with my job as General Manager at Hollywood Piano, I work with Scott Shebeck and Peter Hong in a distribution company called Piano Marketing Group. We are distributors for such top brands as Dynatone Digital Piano which is based out of Seoul Korea, Wilh. Steinberg Piano which is based out of Eisenberg, Germany, Brodmann Piano which is based out of our offices in Tustin, CA, A. Geyer Piano which is also based out of Eisenberg, Germany and finally Gebr. Schulz Piano which is also based out of Wiesbaden, Germany.

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Brodmann and Dynatone at NAMM 2019

The guys that make up this three man team are industry veterans who make up a very unusual trio. Peter who owns the company is in charge of inventory and finances, Scott is the National Sales Manager and myself who does as he is told. Together with Scotts understanding of the wholesale market, I have an understanding of the retail market and Peter who seems to be the master of all bring an unusual perspective to the table.

Steinberg at NAMM 2019

OUR UNIQUE JOBS

In the present market we find several different perspectives. We have to remember first our dealer base but also bearing in mind the “end user” as well. From purchasing to selling to dealer sell through we have to think for our customers AND their customers.

Geyer and Gebr. Schulz at NAMM 2019

I can say that from my perspective I am very proud to stand with these guys as we market our products across the U.S. and also VERY proud of the products themselves. Each MFG uses quality materials and employees very talented people that make the instruments that we sell.

Thank you Scott and Peter for allowing me to be a part of your team for almost 5 years now. I really appreciate it and I can say now, more than ever we have a VERY bright future ahead of us.

Ric Overton

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