Seiler SE132 Upright Piano

Seiler SE132 Product Overview

The Seiler SE132 Concert Upright piano is the largest upright the company makes and is, therefore, their flagship vertical. It’s 132 cm tall, or 52”, and an ideal choice when the quality of musical experience can not be sacrificed, but the prospect of a grand piano simply isn’t an option due to space restrictions. The string length and soundboard surface area of the SE132 are longer/larger than many smaller grand pianos, which surprises many who haven’t had a chance to consider these measurements.

The Seiler SE132 features pretty well all of the most coveted features of German pianos, as well as design/technology elements that take these historic masterpieces into the modern age. Some of the many features in the SE132 include: Bavarian White Spruce Soundboards, Bavarian White Spruce soundboard Ribs, 29-ply design pin-Block made of Beech, quarter-sawn beech bridges, German Renner Actions, German Roslau Strings, and Abel hammers.

Two very unique features found on the SE132 include: ‘the Soundboard Membrator System’ and ‘Super Magnet repetition’ in the action. The Soundboard Membrator system is actually a Seiler patent, and no other piano maker is doing anything like this with their soundboards. Essentially what it means is that the perimeter of the soundboard is thicker than the center of it, to create an inner ‘membrane’ on the soundboard which can be far more responsive and resonant. The thicker outer part of the soundboard allows for less energy loss into the cabinet and virtually guarantees crown retention.

The Seiler SE132 is in the top few upright pianos being made today and offers the most discerning of piano shoppers a vertical instrument of the highest quality, craftsmanship, and tradition blended with the advancements of today’s piano technology.

Since 1849, Seiler pianos have been finely handcrafted in small batches, and by around 1920, the company had become the largest piano maker in Eastern Europe (which would be impressive today, but was far more so back then with many more piano makers around). Seiler pianos are made to extreme tolerances, and over their almost 200-year history, have always been characterized by their clear and present tone, which is actually in line with the company’s tonal philosophy. Seiler says they try to focus the sound in on the fundamental overtones, to get a sound that’s purer. Pianists with a particular preference for Romantic music love this about Seiler pianos.

Renner Action

In the SE132, Seiler uses a full German-made Renner Action, which is the action found in most uprights in this top caliber. The technical staff at Seiler regulate, set up, and align this action to extremely strict tolerances in an effort to make the musician be 100% in control of their instrument. The SE132 is actually the only German-made Seiler vertical to be available with ‘Super Magnet Repetition’. This is a magnetic system that Seiler designed for three of their vertical models to increase the repetition speed/key reset and bring it far closer to the response of a grand piano.

Bright & Clear Tone

One of the many things Seiler fans appreciate about these pianos is their consistency of tone from one piano to another. Seiler pianos have always had a bright/clear sound, with lots of focus on each note’s ‘fundamental overtones’. This approach has allowed Seiler to achieve a cleaner and purer sound than is found in other pianos.

Premium Abel Hammers

The Seiler SE132 receives premium Abel Hammers which get voiced and aligned to perfection by the specialists at Seiler Germany. Some of the best pianos in the world have Abel hammers.

Patented Soundboard Technology

Seiler’s SE132 features their patented soundboard technology, the Soundboard Membrator System. This technological development allows for the soundboard to be thicker around the perimeter or edges and thinner in its center, which creates a more resonant and resp[onsive center core while minimizing energy loss on the outer end of the soundboard. Seiler uses top-quality Bavarian White Spruce for their soundboards and Bavarian White Spruce Ribs.

One of the Most Beautiful Cabinets

The cabinet quality and finish on the SE132 are 10/10, and Seiler pianos have some of the most beautifully finished cabinets anywhere today. The finish is Ebony Polished and the cabinet features many European cuts/edges as well as German-Style Brass Double Casters.