Broadwood

srichardson · Post by **srichardson** » 10 Oct 2005, 16:38

I've looked at a 1922 Broadwood - Serial Number 123840. I'm told it was professionally retored 5 yrs ago - new action/strings/felts. I certainly looks clean & shiny inside, and the case is in good condition. It only has two pedals. At £800, and that age I thought is would be overstrung. I didn't check the stringing, but the vendor says it's straigh strung and underdamped, but with a 'Costa sprung jack' action. It has a light action and bright tone.
Any thoughts about a Broadwood this age 'only' being straight strung?
Sue

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 10 Oct 2005, 22:27

Is the date only based on the number, or have you seen a date inside? Broadwoods made some fine, very durable instruments, but they were well behind the times in many technical developments. They were very late with full iron frames, and still used vertical stringing around that time, in fact some London makers still had vertical-strung models in the 1950s. However, I do not believe that it is a Costa action, this is a vague term with a very broad useage, not specific to one type, but not applicable to Broadwoods, who used tape checks action earlier than most firms. I hope it's not a Broadwood White? Ask the man who said it to define what he means! Bet he can't! See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/datem ... ianos.html

srichardson · Post by **srichardson** » 11 Oct 2005, 08:58

How can I tell if it's a Broadwood White and why do you hope it's not one?
Sue

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 11 Oct 2005, 12:04

If it were a Broadwood White it would say so on the front, and would not be anything like the quality of a real Broadwood, but it might have a Costa action. The numbers are also completely different.

srichardson · Post by **srichardson** » 11 Oct 2005, 16:54

It definitely just says Broadwood on the front.
I'll have a look at the stringing myself, then it'll be down to my son who'll play it, to decide if it feels and sounds OK to him, and is to decide if we're happy to spend £800.

Thanks for your help.
Sue

jamierose · Post by **jamierose** » 27 Feb 2008, 12:53

Hello - I have a Broadwood White, and it's not all bad news.

It has a lovely mellow tone with the soft pedal down, and a singing quality in the upper register. I've been thinking about buying another piano, though, just because BW isn't exactly world class and I'm thinking it might be throwing money away to have it refelted etc.

However, I haven't heard another piano in my price range (£1,000) with that singing tone - what's your advice, please? Shall I stick to Old Faithful, or should I go for a Kawai ? I saw one for about £800.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 27 Feb 2008, 17:19

Two pieces of advice, one is that Braodwood White is nothing to do with Broadwoods, so if you are interested in prompting responses, it's worth posting it separately. As far as the non-history advice goes, I can't help you, this is the history page.