W. Hoffmann P162 Baby Grand Piano

Product Overview

The C. Bechstein Europe’s P162, produced under the W. Hoffmann Professional brand is a baby grand with massive musical range, a clear precise tone, fluid, and expertly-prepared action, and an attractive and unique silver color scheme.

The W. Hoffmann Professional series along with their Tradition series are both highly regarded all-European grand pianos that offer a high-value alternative to the more expensive German pianos. They differ from the Tradition in subtle ways, but nonetheless important to mention. They use different hammer and voicing styles, different plates (and therefore also slightly different scale designs) as well as different bridge designs. The result is a sound that is more focused on bell-like attack and long-sustaining trebles, and less focused on warmth and some of the darker tones that the Traditional series draws. W.Hoffmann Professional P 162 is a quality acoustic piano made in Europe for lasting playing pleasure, a typical European and well-balanced sound that you won’t grow tired of.

The instruments are the most expensive in the W. Hoffmann lineup and represent both a materials quality and manufacturing process which is incredibly close to that of the Academy Bechstein line.

Action

The P162 uses Bechstein’s “Silver Line” of actions, an action essentially of the same geometry as the Gold Action, but with lesser quality materials on parts like back-checks, center-pins, hammers, bushings, and less voicing and regulation. It’s a beautifully fluid action with virtually no sense of the mechanics behind it and achieves a satisfying balance between power and sensitivity. It feels more shallow than the Japanese pianos, and definitely gives the sensation of a lighter touch as well (though when measuring it out it’s low to mid-50g’s).

Tone

The P162 is an intimate sound that feels like it surrounds you and whispers in your ear. It’s a delicate instrument that’s balanced from bass to treble better than virtually any other baby grand in this price category. It has a bell-tone attack with a light bloom in the mid and upper mid-range. The treble is clear, sustaining, and delicate. The break from the steel tri-chords to the bass is nicely managed, and the instrument is considerably brighter in tone than the Tradition series of similar size.

Hammers

C. Bechstein’s commitment to ensuring as much control over the entire manufacturing process is like few others in the industry, and really shines through when it comes to the hammers. Bechstein is the only European manufacturer who produces their own hammerheads. Not only do they produce their own hammerheads, but every instrument throughout their lineup features a set of hammers custom-tailored to that specific instrument. To do this, Bechstein built their own hammerhead production facility from the ground up located in Germany, which is of course highly unusual in globalized world culture.

The P162 features hammers of a mahogany core, with lacquered shanks and heads covered with high-quality felt.

Soundboard

The Professional series grand pianos are built with very nice soundboards, The P162 features a Tapered Alpine-White solid-spruce soundboard. These soundboards are carefully processed to optimize sound diffusion, and the ribs of the soundboard are further extended to the bass register and feature a resonance bar.

Cabinet/Rim

The P162 features a noticeably thick, hardwood rim of Beech. These rims are built for long-term durability and overall structural integrity, and the Beech itself is carefully selected to ensure that the case remains highly stable, and perfectly frames the soundboard. The rim construction and materials also contribute to the excellent sustain and overall tonal profile of the piano.