some Bechstein, Lipp and Bluthner.) Over-damper means that the mechanism that shuts off the sound of the string after it’s played is over the hammers, and is inefficient compared to the under-damper system found in good pianos from about 1860 and in all modern pianos. Straight-strung means the strings go vertically and are not crossed over as with nearly all good and modern pianos, so the bass and tenor string length is shorter and therefore the tone is inferior (There are some exceptions to this rule – e.g. This style is on many basic upright pianos about 35% of all upright pianos in the UK. They are the same in name only and have nothing to do with the older style pianos. Many older names such as Waldstein, Bentley, Steinmeyer and Steinbach are now used by companies in China, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. New pianos made in the Far East (excluding Japan)

These factors mean that good grands dampen very abruptly, allowing a clean staccato.

They are also about 99% overdampers - being over the strings means that gravity helps them to dampen, and the dampers are also located immediately above where the hammer strikes. NB grand pianos in the UK are about 98% overstung. This video shows the four main types of upright piano mechanism. If you’re in the piano trade and can add or correct any information please let us know. Therefore there are about 400 Adam pianos in the UK.ĭisclaimer: This site is constantly being revised. Availability figures are currently being added for each make so for instance, we estimate that there is about one “Adam” piano for every 5,000 pianos. We are using the conservative figure of 2 million. It must be said, however, that there is a world of difference between a piano that has been well restored, tuned and the hammers voiced, from one of the same make and year that has not been carefully worked on.Įstimates for the number of pianos in the UK vary wildly from 2 to 5 million (figures for 2013). Ratings assume the pianos to be restored or reconditioned and in good condition.

Key to piano ratings: We have taken as our benchmark U1H Yamaha upright and G3E Yamaha grand pianos made from 1970 to 1980, since they are very common. Skip to make: – A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1980 kimball baby grand piano