Piano Brands Of The World:
Blüthner *
Company Website: Bluthnerworld.com
Owner: Julius Blüthner Pianofortefabrik GmbH
Country of Origin: Leipzig, Germany
Year Established: 1853
Related Brands: August Forster, Schimmel Konzert, Seiler, Shigeru Kawai, Yamaha CF, Sauter, Grotrian
Warranty: 10-year parts and labour, applicable to the original purchaser only
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
Founded by Julius Blüthner in 1853 in the city of Leipzig Germany, Blüthner has been producing high-quality pianos for over 150 years. From their humble beginnings with a small team of only four craftsmen, Blüthner would soon grow to become the largest German piano manufacturer by the year 1900, producing over 5,000 pianos annually. Success continued throughout the first half of the 20th century, but like virtually every other German piano manufacturer, Blüthner wound up severely crippled in the aftermath of World War II. After a successful rebuild, Blüthner would again flourish and today stand amongst the finest in German piano manufacturing.
Still, a family-owned business to this day, Blüthner currently produce five sizes of uprights, from the 45” Model D, to the imposing 57.5” Model S, and six sizes of grand pianos, from the 5’1” Model 11, to the 9’2” Model 1. Soundboards are solid spruce, sourced from the Austrian alps, while Blüthner actions are built by Renner in their hammers by Abel. In their grand pianos, Blüthner uses single variety beech, which helps contribute to a darker tone than more traditional maple or mahogany rims.
Blüthner is well known for certain unique design innovations, originally developed by founder Julius Blüthner and still utilized today. One of these features is what Blüthner refers to as “cylindrically crowned” soundboards; a proprietary way of crowning a soundboard which Blüthner says allows their soundboards to vibrate more freely. Another unique innovation is the use of aliquot stringing in the treble register, which means strings in the upper register have 4 strings per note as opposed to 3. While the 4th note is not struck and only rings sympathetically, this unique approach helps contribute to Blüthner grands’ unique tonal character. Blüthner also cuts their hammers in an angled fashion, which they argue results in a more even point of contact between the hammerhead and strings.
Blüthner grand pianos and upright pianos are available in a plethora of finishes and cabinet designs, with each grand also available in a “crystal piano” format.
With their uniquely dark sound and precise construction, Blüthner is worthy of their status as one of the top German piano manufacturers.
Blüthner MODELS & PRICE
| MODEL | SIZE | DESCRIPTION | MSRP (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blüthner Uprights | |||
| D | 45 | Satin and Polished Ebony | $33,639 |
| D | 45 | Satin and Polished Walnut/Mahogany | $36,330 |
| D | 45 | Satin and Polished Cherry | $36,499 |
| D | 45 | Satin and Polished White | $35,994 |
| D | 45 | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $37,340 |
| C | 46 | Satin and Polished Ebony | $37,377 |
| C | 46 | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $40,367 |
| C | 46 | Satin and Polished Cherry | $40,554 |
| C | 46 | Satin and Polished White | $39,993 |
| C | 46 | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $41,488 |
| C | 46 | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $47,469 |
| C | 46 | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $50,459 |
| A | 49 | Satin and Polished Ebony | $43,065 |
| A | 49 | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $46,510 |
| A | 49 | Satin and Polished Cherry | $46,725 |
| A | 49 | Satin and Polished White | $46,079 |
| A | 49 | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $47,802 |
| A | 49 | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $54,692 |
| A | 49 | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $58,137 |
| B | 52 | Satin and Polished Ebony | $48,753 |
| B | 52 | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $52,653 |
| B | 52 | Satin and Polished Cherry | $52,897 |
| B | 52 | Satin and Polished White | $52,165 |
| B | 52 | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $54,115 |
| B | 52 | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $61,916 |
| B | 52 | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $65,816 |
| S | 57.5 | Satin and Polished Ebony | $65,514 |
| S | 57.5 | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $70,755 |
| S | 57.5 | Satin and Polished Cherry | $71,083 |
| S | 57.5 | Satin and Polished White | $70,100 |
| S | 57.5 | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $72,721 |
| S | 57.5 | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $83,203 |
| S | 57.5 | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $88,444 |
| Blüthner Grands | |||
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Satin and Polished Ebony | $85170 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $91,984 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Satin and Polished Cherry | $92,410 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Satin and Polished White | $91,132 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $94,539 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $109,018 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $109,018 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | President Polished Ebony | $96,759 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | President Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $103,572 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | President Polished Bubinga | $106,128 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | President Burl Walnut | $120,607 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Wilhelm II Satin and Polished Ebony | $99,649 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Wilhelm II Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $107,621 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Wilhelm II Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $127,045 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Wilhelm II Polished Burl Walnut | $127,045 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Ambassador Santos Rosewood | $122,901 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Ambassador Walnut | $119,579 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Nicolas II Satin Walnut with Burl Inlay | $122,100 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Louis XIV Rococo Satin White with Gold | $136,699 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Jubilee Polished Ebony | $103,197 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Jubilee Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $110,010 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Jubilee Burl Walnut | $127,045 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Julius Bluthner Edition | $107,837 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Crystal Edition Elegance | $123,000 |
| Model 11 | 5’1″ | Crystal Edition Idyllic | $144,000 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Satin and Polished Ebony | $98,183 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $106,037 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Satin and Polished Cherry | $106,528 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Satin and Polished White | $105,055 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $108,983 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $123,710 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $123,710 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | President Polished Ebony | $109,771 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | President Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $117,626 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | President Polished Bubinga | $120,571 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | President Burl Walnut | $135,298 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Senator Walnut w/Leather | $115,884 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Senator Jacaranda Satin Rosewood w/Leather | $125,541 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Wilhelm II Satin and Polished Ebony | $114,874 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Wilhelm II Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $124,064 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Wilhelm II Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $141,736 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Wilhelm II Polished Burl Walnut | $141,736 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Ambassador Santos Rosewood | $141,677 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Ambassador Walnut | $137,848 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Nicolas II Satin Walnut with Burl Inlay | $136,081 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Louis XIV Rococo Satin White with Gold | $157,583 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Jubilee Polished Ebony | $116,209 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Jubilee Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $124,064 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Jubilee Burl Walnut | $141,736 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Julius Bluthner Edition | $119,103 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Crystal Edition Elegance | $135,000 |
| Model 10 | 5’5″ | Crystal Edition Idyllic | $156,000 |
| PH | 5’9″ | Paul Hennigsen Design | $154,000 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Satin and Polished Ebony | $111,635 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $120,566 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Satin and Polished Cherry | $121,124 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Satin and Polished White | $119,449 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $123,915 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $140,660 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $140,660 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | President Polished Ebony | $123,223 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | President Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $132,154 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | President Polished Bubinga | $135,503 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | President Burl Walnut | $152,248 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Senator Walnut w/Leather | $128,760 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Senator Jacaranda Satin Rosewood w/Leather | $138,417 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Wilhelm II Satin and Polished Ebony | $130,613 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Wilhelm II Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $141,062 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Wilhelm II Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $158,686 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Wilhelm II Polished Burl Walnut | $158,686 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Ambassador Santos Rosewood | $153,654 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Ambassador Walnut | $150,707 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Nicolas II Satin Walnut with Burl Inlay | $154,726 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Louis XIV Rococo Satin White with Gold | $179,174 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Jubilee Polished Ebony | $129,661 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Jubilee Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $138,592 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Jubilee Burl Walnut | $158,686 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Julius Bluthner Edition | $125,874 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Crystal Edition Elegance | $144,000 |
| Model 6 | 6’3″ | Crystal Edition Idyllic | $180,000 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Satin and Polished Ebony | $131,335 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $141,842 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Satin and Polished Cherry | $142,499 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Satin and Polished White | $140,529 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $145,782 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $165,482 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $165,482 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | President Polished Ebony | $142,924 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | President Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $153,430 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | President Polished Bubinga | $157,370 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | President Burl Walnut | $177,071 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Senator Walnut w/Leather | $148,074 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Senator Jacaranda Satin Rosewood w/Leather | $157,731 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Wilhelm II Satin and Polished Ebony | $153,662 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Wilhelm II Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $165,955 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Wilhelm II Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $183,509 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Wilhelm II Polished Burl Walnut | $183,509 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Ambassador Santos Rosewood | $177,854 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Ambassador Walnut | $173,047 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Nicolas II Satin Walnut with Burl Inlay | $182,031 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Louis XIV Rococo Satin White with Gold | $210,793 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Jubilee Polished Ebony | $149,362 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Jubilee Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $159,868 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Jubilee Burl Walnut | $183,509 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Julius Bluthner Edition | $152,903 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Queen Victoria JB Edition Polished Rosewood | $183,000 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Crystal Edition Elegance | $165,000 |
| Model 4 | 6’10” | Crystal Edition Idyllic | $204,000 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Satin and Polished Ebony | $147,752 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $159,572 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Satin and Polished Cherry | $160,311 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Satin and Polished White | $158,095 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $164,005 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $187,645 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $187,645 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | President Polished Ebony | $159,341 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | President Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $171,161 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | President Polished Bubinga | $175,593 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | President Burl Walnut | $199,234 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Senator Walnut w/Leather | $160,950 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Senator Jacaranda Satin Rosewood w/Leather | $170,607 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Wilhelm II Satin and Polished Ebony | $172,870 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Wilhelm II Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $186,700 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Wilhelm II Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $205,672 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Wilhelm II Polished Burl Walnut | $205,672 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Ambassador Santos Rosewood | $200,086 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Ambassador Walnut | $194,678 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Nicolas II Satin Walnut with Burl Inlay | $206,410 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Louis XIV Rococo Satin White with Gold | $237,142 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Jubilee Polished Ebony | $165,779 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Jubilee Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $177,599 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Jubilee Burl Walnut | $205,672 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Julius Bluthner Edition | $177,045 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Queen Victoria JB Edition Polished Rosewood | $202,456 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Crystal Edition Elegance | $216,000 |
| Model 2 | 7’8″ | Crystal Edition Idyllic | $255,000 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Satin and Polished Ebony | $199,267 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Satin and Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $215,209 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Satin and Polished Cherry | $216,205 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Satin and Polished White | $213,216 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Satin and Polished Bubinga/Yew/Rosewood/Macassar | $221,187 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Saxony Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $253,069 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Polished Burl Walnut/Camphor | $259,047 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | President Polished Ebony | $212,054 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | President Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $227,996 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | President Polished Bubinga | $233,974 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | President Burl Walnut | $271,835 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Wilhelm II Satin and Polished Ebony | $233,143 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Wilhelm II Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $251,794 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Wilhelm II Polished Pyramid Mahogany | $272,961 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Wilhelm II Polished Burl Walnut | $278,939 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Ambassador Santos Rosewood | $274,271 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Ambassador Walnut | $269,011 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Nicolas II Satin Walnut with Burl Inlay | $284,952 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Jubilee Polished Ebony | $219,158 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Jubilee Polished Mahogany/Walnut | $235,100 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Jubilee Burl Walnut | $278,939 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Julius Bluthner Edition | $230,798 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Queen Victoria JB Edition Polished Rosewood | $244,938 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Crystal Edition Elegance | $246,000 |
| Model 1 | 9’2″ | Crystal Edition Idyllic | $285,000 |
Blüthner PIANO SERIAL NUMBERS
| DATE OF MANUFACTURE | SERIAL NUMBER |
|---|---|
| 1853-1890 | 10-25000 |
| 1891-1900 | 31000-53000 |
| 1901-1910 | 58000-81000 |
| 1911-1920 | 84000-100000 |
| 1921-1930 | 101500-115000 |
| 1931-1940 | 115000-125500 |
| 1941-1950 | 126000-128800 |
| 1951-1960 | 129000-133400 |
| 1961-1970 | 134000-140000 |
| 1971-1980 | 140500-144800 |
| 1981-1990 | 145200-148150 |
| 1991-2000 | 148300-150575 |
| 2001-Present | 150850- |
*Disclaimer: Merriam Pianos offers the above information for the educational benefit of customers world-wide, and does not constitute an endorsement by – or imply representation of – the various manufacturers. For a full selection of the brands Merriam Pianos proudly represents, please click here.
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