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Archive for the ‘Piano Makers’ Category

A. GEYER PIANO

Saturday, March 2nd, 2019

In 1877 A. Geyer Piano Company began in Eisenberg, Thuringia Germany. At that point in piano history Eisenberg was an important area for building pianos. At that time they also made pianos for other companies as well.

The New A. Geyer Piano Company

While strict attention to detail is still a major point of what they do, the company has changed a bit. The new company is headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany. Christoph Schulz is a fifth-generation piano builder. His partner is Frederik Steffes who is the former owner of Wilh Steinberg factory. Rounding out the trio is Colin Taylor, formerly with Bosendorfer and former partner of Joseph Brodmann Group.

Colin Taylor

The actual manufacturing of the piano located in an area just outside of Shanghai (another major area for piano building). Additionally, the piano is still designed by the German engineers. As a result, The founding trio says that they believe the German techniques and Chinese resources have led them to a superior product for a lower price.

A. GEYER SPECIAL EDITION BABY GRAND

A. Geyer piano has three uprights and five grands in their lineup. As a result, several parts of the piano are made in China, many of the musical parts of the piano are made in in Europe. German Wurzen felt is used for the upright hammers, and Abel hammers for the grands. All pianos have a solid-spruce-core veneered soundboard and Japanese Suzuki strings. Additionally, the actions are designed by Germany and assembled in China. All pianos are carefully examined by European craftsmen before shipment.

A. Geyer Upright Piano NAMM 2019

How Can I Find The A. Geyer Piano

In the United States, Piano Marketing Group is the exclusive distributors to piano dealers across the country. You can contact Piano Marketing Group by responding to this blog post OR email Scott Schebeck, the National Sales Manager at shebez03@yahoo.com

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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.

Gebr. Schulz

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.

Steffes,Schulz and Taylor

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.

Gebr. Schulz Upright

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.

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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

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The Piano Was Not The Original Keyboard (Part 3)

Monday, December 10th, 2012

The Virginal

 

The Virginal

The Virginal

 

The precursor to the harpsichord came in the 1400’s known as the Virginal or Virginals.  The logic behind the first virginals came in 1460 when a writer described it in a letter from Paulus Paulirinus of Praguein relation to the clavichord.  History books can differ in their opinions or ideas of its origin.

Quite a bit of music was written on a virginal because of its size and ease of transport.  This is a larger model of a virginal.  Some were quite decorative like this one while others were quite simple in their design and much smaller.

The tone quality or the virginal as compared to the clavichord was/is quite different.  While the clavichord struck the strings the virginal was closer in tone to the harpsichord.  Later as people began to want more sound we started making the harpsichord with longer strings and a larger soundboard with more depth of sound.

The virginal was identical to the harpsichord in the way it was made with the plucking of the strings rather than the clavichord mechanism which struck the strings like the piano.

A Smaller Virginal

A Smaller Virginal

The virginal was very popular during the early Baroque period although like the clavichord and by a large part the harpsichord the tone was to light to be heard with the other instruments and even more difficult in larger public performances.

If you do a quick search on the virginal you will quickly see many different variations of this cool instrument.  It is difficult to imagine that once this was cutting edge technology and this was a privilege to own.  The tone quality of this instrument was among the best available in a keyboard instrument at this point in the 1400’s.

 

Art in a VirginalArt in a Virginal

However, music for the virginal and the clavichord would be written for many years to come BECAUSE of the tone.  You may also note that many, MANY works of art show a young lady sitting in front of an instrument that most people assume is a harpsichord or clavichord but, as it turns out is actually a virginal.

Ric Overton

http://PianoSD.com

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The Piano Was Not The Original Keyboard (Part 2)

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Although keyboard instruments as we commonly know them today has gone through many changes the idea on the whole was originally created in 1361.  In 1361 there were essentially no flats or sharps as we know them today.  Over the period of the next 300 – 400 years (yes, that is an accurate number) we had gone through a number of changes that brought us to the “newest” scale and was finally publicly and famously endorsed by Bach.

Bach The Well Tempered Clavier

Bach The Well Tempered Clavier

In 1722 J.S. Bach penned The Well Tempered Clavier which was arguably one of the most famous works of all time. He repeated this work in 1742 and underscored the original endorsement of the idea of equal temperament in keyboards.

More information on The Well Tempered Clavier can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Well-Tempered_Clavier in the Wikipedia website.

While we have little information of the first pianos to be created the Medici Family indicates that pianos in their pseudo present day form was in existence as early as 1700 and potentially as far back as 1698, however, the only pianos that we have in existence today date back to 1720.

The point is that the whole idea of the modern day piano would date back to the early 1700’s.  In the beginning the present day piano is closest related to the Clavichord.

The Clavichord

The Clavichord

The Clavichord

Most people agree that the clavichord was invented sometime in the early 1400’s.  Then as early as 1502 and later in 1504 there is some mention of the Clavichord being used in public performances in both England and Germany. In 1460 however, in a descriptive letter of the virginal which was also believed to have been invented in the early 1400’s and there is some reference to the clavichord as well as virginal.

The clavichord has various “editions” which differ in sense of temperament and design.  Some clavichords are “fretted” instruments while others were “unfretted” which would help determine the technique used while playing as well as the music that could be used as well.

The Virginal

The differences in the virginal and clavichord will be discussed in later posts as well as the harpsichord and piano.  So you can see some quick pictures of the virginal and clavichord, I posted a couple here.

The Virginal

The Virginal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The differences are not really noticeable at first glance but there are some significant differences between these two instruments.  We will get much more acquainted with these early instruments and how they are finding their way back into music  today.

 

Ric Overton

http://PianoSD.com

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Mozart Piano Returns Home

Friday, November 9th, 2012

This could not have been better planned.  It is amazing to see and potentially emotional.  This piano was the last piano that Mozart owned.  Of course most people do not realize that one of the most prolific composers of all times actually died at a rather early age but left behind a legacy that few would ever be able to overshadow.

The following clip is from ABC news and it briefly describes the return of Mozart’s last piano to his childhood home.  Click on the link below to see the amazing story which is done in three parts.  The commercials are bothersome but, try to be patient.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/mozarts-piano-returns-home-applause/story?id=17674906#.UJ1NguTLTOM

What a fascinating story.

Ric Overton

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The Piano Was NOT The First Keyboard (part 1)

Monday, October 29th, 2012

As most of you know, I am 100% a piano fan.   I love the way they look, feel, sound and maybe even smell ( at least when they are new ).  I thought about the fact, however, that I am never looking past the piano.  I never quite get back to the basics of where it all started at least as far as the lineage of the piano is concerned.

There is a very rich history in piano building that spans back to the late 1300’s into the 1400’s and I thought it would be fun to go back and look at the very beginning and see if we can (at least partially) bring it all full circle.

Although keyboard instruments as we commonly know them today have gone through many changes, the idea of a keyboard instrument  was originally created in 1361.  In 1361 there were essentially no flats or sharps as we know them today.  Although there are physically notes on the keyboard with the 5 incidentals they had different notes in the beginning.  Over the period of the next 300 – 400 years ( yes, that is an accurate number ) we have gone through a number of changes that have brought us to the “newest” scale and was finally publicly and famously endorsed by Bach in the early 1700’s.   Much more about that to come in the next parts.

I will be presenting to you in the next few blogs about the history of the piano.  I learned quite a bit myself and hope that you will as well.  It is a little confusing as you move backward to understand the scale designs so, I have tried my best to put the information in my own words and leave out some of the less famous keyboards.

Over the period since the early 1300’s (over 700 years of history) there have been many, many versions of the piano that did not “take” and were unsuccessful for one reason or another.   Some did not stay in tune for long periods of time, some were too awkward to be moved while others simply did not function correctly.

Over the next few posts I will attempt to put the most popular stringed keyboard  instruments in a logical order so you can easily follow the information and pass it along to others.

Please enjoy.

Visit our new affiliate program at http://coolstuffformusicians.com and our gear shop at http://pianosd.spreadshirt.com and of course http://pianosd.com

Ric Overton

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Special Announcement from Pearl River Piano Company

Friday, September 21st, 2012

Several years ago when I worked for Baldwin Piano Company I learned a lot about the various ways that other companies used to market their pianos and how they used their leverages to sell their products.  That’s when I first began to compete with Pearl River Pianos.  At that time, which was about 8 or 10 years ago, I began to see their products on the floor of dealerships more and more and I realized that they really were a force to be reckoned with.

Pearl River Piano and Rittmuller Piano

Pearl River Piano and Rittmuller Piano

Of course, we would use the fact that our pianos were made in America and try to encourage people to look at Baldwin Pianos rather than Pearl River Pianos, obviously because we wanted to make the sale rather than our competitor.  It wasn’t until the NAMM show of 2007 that I learned first hand that this is truly a piano to pay attention to.

As a Baldwin only dealership at the time, I hired two professional piano technicians to review the  Pearl River Piano for me.  I wanted an unbiased opinion on this product before I agreed to carry it in my store in San Diego.  They both independent of each other came back to me with almost exactly the same results.  In every category Pearl River Pianos outperformed  our expectations.  The deal was sealed and I became a Pearl River Piano dealer even to the point of selling out Baldwin and replacing them with Pearl River.

 

Pearl River and Ritmuller Pianos

In 2009 I had the opportunity to review their Rittmuller Piano which is a hybrid of European parts and Chinese manufacturing.  What I learned from this experience changed my opinion permanently.  The Rittmuller piano is an incredible  piano and again outperforms my expectations as well.

Music Trades magazine

Music Trades magazine

 

With all of that being said, this morning I received a note that really sealed my belief in Pear River Pianos.  In todays Music Trades magazine there was an a news brief outlining Pearl River’s  IPO in China.  Unlike Facebook, the stocks on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange sold over 48 million shares which raised more than $103,000,000.00 (yes that’s 103 Million with an M).  Quite impressive and another statement that underlines my belief in Pearl River.  I think that in the coming months we will see many great things from Pearl River and I for one am looking forward to it.

If  you have the opportunity to play, demonstrate or review a Pearl River Piano or Rittmuller Piano, trust me and take the time to do it.  Sure the name on the front does not start with a “Y” or and “S” but, I have no doubt that you will like the tone, texture and touch of this piano.

 

Ritmuller Piano

Ritmuller Piano

My hat is off to Pearl River Piano Group for a successful IPO and my best wishes to their continued success.

When you have a chance drop by http://PianoSD.com and see what’s new.  Also, check out the Gear Shop and find something for yourself.

Ric Overton

 

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Wolfgang Forster of August Forster Pianos 5/6/33 – 6/30/12

Saturday, July 28th, 2012

Today, I want to celebrate the company and heritage of one of the most famous names in the world of fine pianos.  Wolfgang Forster.  Wolfgang passed away on June 30, 2012.

May 6, 1933 Wolfgang Forster was born into a very famous and important family inLobau,Germany which is located in East Germany moments away from Poland to the East and Czech Republic to the South.  The piano company that he owned and operated with his daughter Annekatrin, this fourth generation piano company is among the most prestigious names in the piano industry today.

Before you read the story below you might find interesting:

August Forster Story

History of August Forster Pianos

 

Friedrich August Forster  was (more…)

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Dr. Indrek Laul President of Estonia Piano

Monday, May 21st, 2012

Today I was sent a video that I had never seen although the date stamp points back to a 2008 fundraiser for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.  I was surprised by the performer who was Dr. Indrek Laul .  I consider Dr. Laul a friend or at least a  very good acquaintance and was a little embarrassed that I was not aware of his musical talent to the extent that this video shows.  See the video below.  It is the full composition by Gershwin so it is about 13 or 14 minutes.  Even if you can’t watch the entire video, bookmark it and come back to it – you will want to experience the last 3 minutes.

I am not a professional critic but I will tell you that this was an amazing performance.

Dr. Laul is one of the nicest men in (more…)

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