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#SteinwayB #BechsteinB212 #GrandPiano

The Model B, and the B212, the top 7’ models from two of the industry’s original kingpins C. Bechstein and NY Steinway. Seeing how surprisingly rare to see them side by side, we took the opportunity to role the camera, plug in the mic’s, and do some comparisons.

The Steinway Model B is a ~560,000 serial number, making it from the early 2000’s, and fully voiced and regulated. The B212 was factory handselected by Alan Merriam in 2018. (Since the filming of the comparison, both pianos have sold to private buyers.)

It’s almost beyond debate that these two are amongst the top 5 semiconcert grands in the world both companies are steeped in history, both early innovators of the piano generally, and both dominant in the marketplace Steinway the topselling premium piano in North America, and Bechstein the topselling premium piano in Europe.

The Steinway B has often been referred to as ‘the perfect piano’. While it’s far from that, and it often takes a bit of hunting to land in front of a truly special one, a really great Steinway B is a masterclass in instrument design. Despite multiple changes in ownership, moments of good and notsogood factory management, and a fluctuating market for highend pianos, the Steinway B’s design is essentially unchanged since the 1920’s and yet still outplays all but the most sophisticated and expensive instruments on the market.

The C. Bechstein B212 happens to be one of those that more than holds its own next to the mighty ‘B’. In fact, it’s its own symphony of the very best in contemporary piano design with a very traditional approach to manufacturing. At the core of this exquisite beast is a soundboard crafted inhouse from the same wood stocks as the Stradivarius violins: the Red Spruce of the Val Di’Fieme in Italy. Surrounding it is the most sophisticated rim system in the world, giving a full perimeter of highlyengineered hardwoods which allow complete sympathetic resonance with minimal energy loss. Bechstein is also going oldschool by bringing hammer design and manufacturing back inhouse as well, creating a hammer you’ll only see on one piano the B212. The result is a piano that produces a verywell balanced set of harmonics, and a warmth that never sacrifices clarity at any point in the range.

MAJOR DIFFERENCES:

Soundboard: Sitka Spruce (Steinway) vs. Val Di Fiemme Red Spruce (Bechstein)
Rim: Hardrock Maple (Steinway) vs. Fullperimeter Maple / Beech / Mahogany (Bechstein)
Action: Steinway Accelerated Action vs. C. Bechstein Gold Action
Weight: 760 Lbs (Steinway B) vs. 880 Lbs (C. Bechstein B212)
Hammers: Maple Core (Steinway) vs Dark Walnut Core (Bechstein)

And of course, the less definable, but allimportant difference in tone and touch...something that is almost fruitless to pontificate on. Generally the Steinway could be described as having a slightly heavier action with a stronger fundamental pitch but less colour, and the Bechstein could be described as being a more fluid action with more ‘bloom’ and colour throughout the range, with slightly less midrange projection. But really, for pianos of this calibre, one must simply play them.

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