85 keys UNDERDAMPED KAPS vs 88 keys OVERDUMPED BLUTHNER

jati · Post by **jati** » 01 Apr 2007, 11:48

I have to decide which of these two pianos to keep at home.

1. a 85 keys, overstrung, UNDERDAMPED KAPS (made around 1902)
2. a 88 keys, overstrung, OVERDUMPED BLUTHNER (made around 1890)

I believe both are in good condition.

I know that most articles from the internet would suggest an Underdamped piano than the OVERDAMPED one, since the former is more effective than the latter.
However, in this case, BLUTHNER seems to have better reputation than KAPS. A second hand BLUTHNER also normally sells much better than KAPS.

Would it be possible if the quality of the overdamping system of Blutner is just as good as or even better than the underamping system of KAPS?

With regards to 88 keys or 85 keys, will it make a significant difference when it come to play it?

Could anybody give me advice on this matter?

regards,

Jati

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 01 Apr 2007, 12:21

in a word BLUTHNER

Barrie,

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 01 Apr 2007, 16:19

In more than one word...I've always found the old overdamped Bluthners have had as good damping - if not better - than some overdampers, particularly those of about the same age. As there are no springs to get weak and/or break, they just keep damping and damping...no problems!

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 01 Apr 2007, 16:20

I meant 'better than some underdampers'...but I had a pint with lunch...sorry!

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 03 Apr 2007, 07:29

Depends if you're going to keep it or hope to sell it in the future. Assuming they're both in good average order:

The Blüthner will have a good sound and the damping really isn't too terrible as Gill has said, but spare parts are difficult to obtain, especially the brass hammer flanges, and getting an original-quality set of overdamper felt is now next to impossible. The Kaps uses a very conventional Isermann or Langer action, and spares are readily available or adaptable secondhand. The value of the Blüthner will remain stronger than the Kaps simply because it's a Blüthner.

but.

If it's a Panzer-System Kaps, it will be the better piano.

jati · Post by **jati** » 03 Apr 2007, 16:21

I am going to keep my piano for my whole life, not to sell it. That's why I want to keep the best one.

My Kaps is a Panzer-System.

In the past, I had to choose this Panzer-System Kaps or a Beichstein (straighstrung-underdamped). I decided to keep the Kaps, as it sounded better (richer) to my ear, and I believe I made the right decision at the time.

But now I am still a bit confused..

So, are you saying that the Panzer-System Kaps is better to keep than the overdamped Bluthner?

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 03 Apr 2007, 19:03

jati wrote:I decided to keep the Kaps, as it sounded better (richer) to my ear, and I believe I made the right decision at the time.

But now I am still a bit confused..

So, are you saying that the Panzer-System Kaps is better to keep than the overdamped Bluthner?

IMO it's the better piano. Others may not share that opinion. It'll be worth less than the Blüthner in terms of cash value. If they were both mine I'd offload the Blüthner for as much as I could get and keep the Kaps. They're elegant pianos in the main too, as opposed to the Blüthner's sheer bulk.

As I said, others may not share my opinion!

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 03 Apr 2007, 21:55

Kaps did indeed make some nice pianos but wile I would not put them in the same league as Chappell way above them. I would put them in the same pigeonhole for loos bass bridge cappings, this may be a Northern thing with the damp eating at the glue then the heat drying them out.

The Big downside on the Bluthner for me is the Brass flanges if some idiot has put tallow on them, you then have a good chance of getting virdgrits and that a bugger to get rid of if it has got into the butt as well

Barrie,

tuna · Post by **tuna** » 03 Apr 2007, 23:31

'virdgrits in your butt?!'

Is that a piano tuners injury?