The following are frequently asked questions.

Age of my C.BECHSTEIN piano:
1. Where do I find the identity number of my C. Bechstein piano?
Answer: You can find the serial number in black on the front part of the cast-iron plate near the tuning pins. On early instruments, you can find it on the soundboard near the company logo, under the strings and behind the dampers. Once you have this number, you can search for the production year in the list provided on this website.

2. If the authenticity or completeness of the number on the frame is questionable, can C. Bechstein find out the true identity of the pianos nonetheless?
Answer: Unfortunately, this is difficult and the result of the procedure would be very unreliable.

3. Does a number found on the rear part of the sound board or on other parts of the piano permit to identify a C. Bechstein instrument?
Answer: No.

4. Is identification possible without the serial number but with photos of the instrument?
Answer: No.

5. Who can I turn to if I need spare parts (leg, lyre, pedals, agraffes, replacement strings, etc.)?
Answer: Please contact us by e-mail (technicalservice@bechstein.de) or fax (+49) (0)35 86 40 41 06.

6. If I need a new frame or a new action or a new keyboard, who do I turn to?
Answer: Please contact our restoration department at
technicalservice@bechstein.de fax: +49 (0)3586-404106

7. If an old frame has a crack or cracks, what can be done?
Answer: Please contact a local accredited technician to evaluate the cracks. For C. Bechstein parts and restoration please contact our restoration department at
technicalservice@bechstein.de fax: +49 (0)3586-404106

8. Can you appraise my piano’s value if I send pictures of the instrument?
Answer: Unfortunately no. Only an accredited appraiser can assess a piano’s value, and only upon physical inspection. We can offer such a service upon request, however. Appraisal can also be done at the company’s premises in Berlin. Please contact us by e-mail if you would like more information, in particular on the costs (technicalservice@bechstein.de).

9. Can you repair or restore my piano?
Answer: Of course. We have a special restoration department, and may be able to recommend third-party restoration workshops as well. Please contact us by e-mail (technicalservice@bechstein.de).

10. Is it possible to have part of the repair done at your premises and the rest by myself?
Answer: No. Because we issue a warranty on all repairs, we perform only complete work.

11. Can you sell my vintage piano?
Answer: No, we sell only new instruments or vintage pianos that we have rebuilt.

12. What is the recommended tuning pitch for an old C. Bechstein piano?
Answer: The recommended pitch is 440 to 443 Hz, depending on the age of the piano. Please contact us by e-mail (info@bechstein.de) if you would like further information.

13. What is the difference between agraffes and a capo d’astro bar?
Answer: Both parts of the piano clearly mark the front end or the front termination point of the speaking length of the string. The speaking length is the main part of the string, which determines the pitch of the tone. The agraffes are the brass parts on the iron frame that the string runs through behind the tuning pins. The capo d’astro bar is the part of the frame that can be found in the treble at the same spot, i.e. in place of the agraffes. Older C. Bechstein grand pianos and current upright pianos have agraffes also in the treble. Nowadays C. Bechstein grands have a capo d’astro bar in the treble rather than agraffes.

14. Has C. Bechstein only made pianos with agraffes in the treble before?
Answer: No. The capo d’astro bar had been used earlier already. However for a certain period of time due to the general style of playing and demand, the C. Bechstein grands with agraffes were preferred.

15. If I wish to tune the treble sharper than the rest, is this sensible for an agraffe piano?
Answer: It is sensible only for a minute amount, much less than for pianos with Capo D’astro

16. What is a Neo-Bechstein?
Answer: Neo-Bechsteins were the world’s first grand pianos with electronically generated sound. We developed them in cooperation with Siemens and Nobel Prize winner Walther Nernst. They were forerunners of today’s electronic instruments.

17.When is the next C.BECHSTEIN International Piano Competition?
Answer: In 2010.

18. Is C.BECHSTEIN planning national piano competitions?
Answer: Yes, due to the great response to the First International Competition.

19. Do you issue a customer magazine?
Answer: Bechstein News is a biannual customer magazine. You can download the English version from this website (chapter Concert Hall ). German residents can also subscribe to receive it in print.

20. Can I tour the factory?
Answer: Yes. Please contact us by e-mail (info@bechstein.de) or fax (+49 35 86 40 41 06).

21. Where is the factory located?
Answer: The C. Bechstein factory is located in Seifhennersdorf, Saxony. Until 1992, our production facilities were at the very center of West-Berlin, but the German reunification and subsequent urban development prompted us to relocate.

22. What can you say about your suppliers?
Answer: Production processes at C. Bechstein are very complex. Since its founding in 1853, the company has collaborated with suppliers of various components, including cast-iron plates, action assemblies and keyboards. Each supplier is selected according to strict criteria, however, and our R&D department sets rigid specifications for each component supplied. For over 150 years, C. Bechstein has stood for superb pianomaking, regardless of the names of the suppliers. Visit our factory and you will see exactly what we mean. A documentary film on the C. Bechstein production process is available on DVD to technicians and dealers.
Pianos of the brands C. Bechstein, Bechstein Academy and Zimmermann are made in Germany. The W. Hoffmann pianos are made in cooperation with our subsidiary in the Czech Republic. Pianos of the brand Euterpe—made for Bechstein Germany- are made in Asia to C. Bechstein’s specifications by affiliated companies.