grand & upright pianos

THE SOUND OF EUROPE

MUSIC IS THE LANGUAGE OF PASSION.

Richard Wagner

When you play the piano, the main thing is to enjoy it your whole life long. To prevent the initial investment from dampening your enthusiasm, Bechstein now offers high-quality instruments at an affordable price: the new W.Hoffmann brand made by C. Bechstein Europe. An affordable quality piano doesnt necessarily have to be imported from Asia. Compare without compromising on sound or workmanship. W.Hoffmann: Bechsteins answer to industrial mass production The sound of Europe. The W.Hoffmann pianos are made in the Czech Republic and draw upon the expertise of the Bechstein Centre for Research, Development and Quality Control, a unique facility based in Germany. The new European production site boasts an entire team of specialists (piano-makers, carpenters and wood engineers) who have the traditional European craft of piano-making in their blood and create personalised instruments full of soul. The W.Hoffmann brand comprises two lines: W.Hoffmann Vision, for an introduction into the world of Bechstein, and W.Hoffmann Tradition, the next class up. All W.Hoffmann pianos are manufactured in Hradec Krlov (Czech Republic), a two-hour drive from the German site that produces the C. Bechstein and Bechstein Academy pianos, which simplifies contacts within the group. W.Hoffmann: a hit on the market from day one.

THE PLEASURE OF PLAYING

What do clients and dealers say about Bechstein?

The new European W.Hoffmann production site

Vancouver, Canada

Hradec Krlov, Czech Republic Beijing, China Tokyo, Japan

Manuel Bernaschek, Showcase Pianos, Vancouver, Canada:

W.Hoffmann easily offers the best value for money on the market today. Its European quality at an affordable price, which just goes to show how forward-thinking the Bechstein team is. Sidney, Australia

Xiao Wei Yu, Song of Songs, Beijing, China:

As a shop specialising in musical instruments, we feel we have a moral responsibility towards our customers. Were anxious to keep them wellinformed about the benefits of good quality but we also make a point of offering them the best value for money. W.Hoffmann pianos fit the bill perfectly.

Masato Kato, Euro Piano, Japan:

The W.Hoffmann pianos enable you to differentiate the different registers and sounds clearly. You can play with a whole range of nuances and colours. These instruments cover a musical spectrum close to that of the human voice. They

provide an action and sound youd expect from a far more expensive price range.

What customers say:

1. In terms of quality, the W.Hoffmann pianos outstrip all other brands in the same price range. 2. They are considerably better than Asian instruments in the same price range. 3. Through their sound and workmanship, they are even a cut above other European brands.

Jenny Koh, Gospel Pianos, Australia:

All our clients who buy a W.Hoffmann come back beaming from ear to ear. Each and every one of them tells us how delighted they are with the piano.

VARIO HDS SYSTEM

DIGITAL MODULE EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FOR BECHSTEIN PIANOS

The Bechstein Vario HDS digital module is available on all W.Hoffmann grand and upright pianos. It was developed with and for Bechstein an exclusive and innovative product made in Germany. The novel Bechstein Vario HDS muting system intercepts the hammer heads before they hit the strings and translates the strike dynamics into digital signals, which enables you to play whenever you want without disturbing anybody. The module delivers an excellent sound and features an elegant design and a good user-friendliness. Dynamics: unique dynamics through high definition of the key movement (HDS means High Definition Sensor Technology), easily adjustable via graphics on a display.

Sensors: freely configurable optic key and pedal sensors. Display: large touch screen, all functions conveniently accessible via clear icon menus. Control unit: small, discreet and provided with a large touch screen; easily operated from above; clear icon menus easy to understand in all countries. Energy saving: automatic disconnection when closed (no standby). Headphones: high-quality device (good sound), comfortable to wear (light-weight). Hammer bars: heavy-duty, accurately adjustable, with handle, no action on the moderator pedal.

W.HOFFMANN VISION

Our first piano

W.Hoffmann Vision your first step into the Bechstein world. A new line of pianos at affordable prices. The alternative to any product from the Far East. Instruments with an immaculate action, a wealth of nuances, effortless repetition and a pleasant voice all in harmony with the European standards. The various components are selected and tested by experienced piano-makers from the C. Bechstein Europe factory, who monitor the production phase all the way to the stringent final quality controls. All over the world, customers confirm the exceptional value for money of these pianos by C. Bechstein Europe. Warranty by C. Bechstein Germany.

Quality components and workmanship The strings of the W.Hoffmann Vision pianos are held in position perfectly. Every single hammer head is voiced by hand and ear. The W.Hoffmann Vision grands are especially successful. Their back posts are made of semihard solid wood, the soundboard and ribs of spruce, the bridge and pinblock of hardwood, and the case of laminated wood layers. The iron plate is cast in heavy sand. The grand pianos have three pedals (including a sustaining pedal). C. Bechstein Europe guarantees high quality for all its grands.

W.HOFFMANN VISION V 112

W.HOFFMANN VISION V 120

A piano with a delightful action and a beautiful, balanced sound rich in overtones. Compact, sturdy case in an elegant design. Precise and extremely reliable action. Distinctly European sound and craftsmanship. Hammer

heads made in Germany, A quality, individually selected and voiced by hand and ear like the V 120 model. In short: the great value for money all W.Hoffmann pianos offer.

Pleasant height, ageless design, time-proven technology. This upright will entice you with its balanced sound volume, splendid voice and delightful touch. A piano that makes you want to play. An all-round instrument

with an elegant design, a precise touch and a sound rich in nuances. Just the ticket for both music schools and the home.

44.5''

59.4''

22 ''

485 lbs

Black Walnut Mahogany White Only available with a brilliant finish.

Optional 540 lbs

47.2''

59.4''

24.6''

Black Walnut Mahogany White Only available with a brilliant finish.

Optional

W.HOFFMANN VISION V 126

W.HOFFMANN VISION V 131

A large upright, almost a concert piano, for music-lovers and pros. The special conception of the soundboard makes this instrument compatible with almost any climate zone. A further bonus to the intricacy of the workmanship, the agraffes guarantee a crystal-clear

sound. Due to its large volume, the V 126 has longer keys than the smaller models, thus providing an even more precise touch. Hammer heads made in Germany, AA quality, individually selected and voiced by hand and ear.

Impressive height and sound. You cant help but play and practice on this piano with a powerful, professional touch and a splendid, nuanced voice. A large concert upright with reinforced back posts to provide even more

stability and deepth of sound. The action assembly and especially the lever ratios were designed to make the keys so precise as to win over even the most demanding pianists.

49.6''

51.8''

57.9''

24.6''

Brilliant black

Optional 545 lbs

59.4''

25''

Brilliant black

Optional

518 lbs

HALLMARKS OF QUALITY
CHARACTERISTIC ADVANTAGES OF THE W.HOFFMANN VISION LINE

AT A GLANCE
Back posts: solid medium-hard conifer wood, reinforced on selected models. Soundboard core: spruce, designed to withstand climatic variations. Ribs: spruce. Bridges: hardwood. Pinblock: laminated hardwood layers. Plate: cast-iron. Steel strings: made in Europe, superior quality. Bass strings: 95% pure copper. Case: MDF cabinet panels and solid conifer wood. Agraffes (selected models only): guarantee a crystal-clear sound. Action assembly and keyboard: European standards, concert optimisation for larger models. Hammer heads: made in Germany with English felt, A or AA quality, selected and voiced by hand and ear.

W.HOFFMANN VISION
V 158 A baby grand with a powerful sound. The action assembly with its fast reaction lives up to all your expectations. Distinctly European voice that suits any repertoire. The outstanding finish and execution make this model a favourite. Treble strings provided with duplex bars. Soundboard designed to withstand climatic variations. Hammer heads made in Germany, AA quality, individually selected and voiced by hand and ear just like on all grand pianos in the Vision line. An instrument for the pleasure of playing. V 175 A grand piano for demanding pianists. Exceptional power, noble voice perfectly balanced in all registers. A piano that suits all styles of music. Precise touch for sensitive dynamics and a wealth of nuances. Treble strings provided with Duplex bars. Elegant, classical case with universal proportions that is convenient for any living room and ideal for music schools.

69.3''

701 lbs
63.8''

59.4''

683 lbs
59.4''

V 183 Elegant design, deep resonance, powerful and balanced sound. Precise action assembly for a stable and clear touch. Through its characteristic voice profile, this grand piano is ideal for both solo recitals and chamber music. A popular piano among accomplished musicians in music schools and at home. Like the other grand pianos in the W.Hoffmann Vision line, the V 183 model has a soundboard that is designed to withstand climatic variations.

72.8''

705 lbs
59.8''

Black

Walnut

Mahogany

White

Optional

Only available with a brilliant finish.

THE EUROPEAN SOUND CULTURE

Specialist tight ening the strings.

Cutting-edge CNC technology.

Tuning and voicing by hand and ear.

Intelligent combination of traditional piano-making and modern technology. The Czech technicians and their German colleagues put their hearts and souls into their work.
smanship High-tech and craft each other perfectly. complement

The C. Bechstein Europe production site based in Hradec Krlov in the Czech Republic is remarkable on a number of counts. The managing staff, for instance, includes competent Czech specialists and German piano-makers who have been working for C. Bechstein for many years. Moreover, the factory enjoys a prime location: Hradec Krlov is situated rather close to Seifhennersdorf, the Saxon C. Bechstein factory. This means Saxon pianomakers can visit the Czech site every week to offer their colleagues continuous support. The cutting-edge CNC technology used on the Czech site guarantees the precision of the basic components. All W.Hoffmann pianos therefore feature high quality manufacturing and an excellent, characteristic sound. Specialists trained at the German C. Bechstein site finish the acoustic and action assemblies by hand.

High-quality soundboards drying.

MY PIANO UNDER MY OWN ROOF.

You can be proud of what youve achieved. Celebrate your identity under your own roof. Create an ambience using light and colours, enhanced by your own piano, which adds a touch of warmth to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The W.Hoffmann instruments enable you to step into the world of C. Bechstein a world of perfect sounds.

E. Groove

W.HOFFMANN TRADITION
MY PROFESSIONAL PIANO
The W.Hoffmann Tradition line delivers European quality with all the hallmarks of traditional German pianomaking: an action assembly that provides you with all the freedom of interpretation; a sound spectrum with a magnificent, colourful voice and a large, dynamic range from pianissimo to fortissimo. The Czech piano-makers of C. Bechstein Europe oversee the production processes all the way through to voicing the hammer heads by hand and ear, while C. Bechstein provides a five-year guarantee. The W.Hoffmann Tradition line features pianos at affordable prices. The grands go down a treat with music schools and their students. As for the uprights, their long-lasting stability and low maintenance costs make them a great investment. These instruments all share a delicately differentiated sound that is quintessentially European. Perfectly balanced, the W.Hoffmann Tradition pianos guarantee youll enjoy playing for many years to come. The difference between the mass-production of the Far East and the philosophy of European piano-makers, which is rooted in craftsmanship, is particularly evident in the sound. Just try it out for yourself and youll see: an affordable piano can also have a beautiful voice and a lovely crafted finish and execution. W.Hoffmann Tradition: the mark of European quality.

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W.HOFFMANN TRADITION
T 161 Well proportioned dimensions, impressive power, excellent finish and execution. The delightful action and beautifully balanced timbre in all registers guarantee your enjoyment whilst playing. A traditional, handcrafted baby grand designed by C. Bechstein for passionate players and demanding pianists. An instrument truly worthy of the label made by C. Bechstein Europe. T 177 A grand piano characterised by a harmonious, rounded sound profile and an impressive power. This big brother of the T 161 model is a real eye-catcher and offers you a wealth of possibilities thanks to its romantic voice and effervescent touch. The instrument embodies the principles of C. Bechstein piano-making: the solidity of its back posts and rim guarantees durability; the soundboard and its ribs are handcrafted in Alpine spruce.

62.6''

644 lbs
59.4''

68.9''

683 lbs
59.8''

T 186 An instrument for demanding pianists. Extremely powerful sound coupled with a noble, balanced voice in all registers. Precise action assembly that enables you to play dynamically and with a wealth of nuances. Elegant classical case that is at home in any living room. The topquality hammer heads made in Germany are individually selected and voiced by hand and ear.

74.8''

688 lbs
60.2''

Black

Walnut

Mahogany

White

Optional

Only available with a brilliant finish.

HALLMARKS OF QUALITY
CHARACTERISTIC ADVANTAGES OF THE W.HOFFMANN TRADITION LINE

AT A GLANCE
Back posts: heavy-duty back posts made of solid medium-hard conifer wood. Soundboard and ribs: solid, best quality Alpine spruce, handcrafted. Bridges: European beech. Pinblock: laminated multiplex beech. Plate: iron cast in heavy sand. Steel and copper-wrapped strings: steel and 99% pure copper, German quality. Case: solid spruce and MDF cabinet panels. Agraffes: guarantee a crystal-clear sound. Action assembly and keyboard: according to C. Bechstein standards; precise and reliable geometry for optimal touch. Hammer heads: top German quality, individually selected and voiced by hand and ear.

R. Kottonau

W.HOFFMANN TRADITION T 122

W.HOFFMANN TRADITION T 128

An instrument for beginners and accomplished pianists alike. Powerful, balanced in all registers, delightful to play: a true all-rounder. Reliable, precise action assembly. The careful finish and execution guarantees quality for

generations to come. A traditional, handcrafted piano with agraffes and sturdy back posts. Precise and very reliable touch. Here: special finish with chrome fittings.

A piano that embodies traditional values: case with a typical design; powerful, romantic voice; sensitive action assembly that permits a wide range of touch and pianistic techniques. A large instrument for pianists who appreciate quality. The agraffes and the sturdy back posts

guarantee durability. Handcrafted soundboard and ribs made of solid spruce. Top-quality hammer heads made in Germany, individually selected and voiced by hand and ear.

57.9''

24''

500 lbs

Walnut Mahogany White Black Cherry Black and white (only brilliant finish); walnut, cherry and mahogany (brilliant and satin finish).

50.4''

48''

Optional 520 lbs

57.9''

24.6''

Walnut Mahogany White Black Cherry Black and white (only brilliant finish); walnut, cherry and mahogany (brilliant and satin finish).

Optional

grand & upright pianos

C. Bechstein Europe s.r.o. Br.tefanu 1057 CZ-500 03 Hradec Krlov Czech Republic C. Bechstein Europe s.r.o. is a subsidiary of C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG Kantstrasse 17 10623 Berlin Germany Tel. +49 (0)30. 315 15- 241 Fax +49 (0)30. 315 15- 250 sales@bechstein.com www.bechstein.com 04|2011 C. Bechstein Imprint Editor: Brnice Kpper English version: MS Berlin (Philip Brown, Marcel Sach) Design concept: MetaDesign Photos: Bechstein archives, Stepan Barto, Erik Bohr, Scholz & Friends, stock photo agencies. C. Bechstein reserves the right to any technical alterations (case, dimensions, acoustic assembly, finish and execution,) for all grand and upright models.C. Bechstein vorbehalten.