Brand new Bentley Grand £4000 - how?

[Model V]

Just been to see my friend in my local music shop and spied a "Bentley" grand in the window. Just out of the shrink wrap. Intrigued I had a little play and was impressed - very nice tone and touch although, as it's short, not too much bass.

I was amazed to learn this will retail for £4000. Now, I know it's made in China and all that, but how come so cheap? Would it be safe to assume the action will disintegrate after a fortnight?

This is obviously an English name, but now presumably owned by the Chinese. Still, it gave some pianos I've played a run for their money. Plus this was in un-set up condition. Anyone have the technical gen on these?

MV

[Barrie Heaton]

He must have got a container full last year and now reaping the reward of a cheep import as all around are going up

As to the quality they are OK for the money the top treble is a bit week and the treble bass change over is very poor, the action is a tad noisy but for £4000 you get what you pay for


Barrie,

[PianoGuy]

Just been to see my friend in my local music shop and spied a "Bentley" grand in the window. Just out of the shrink wrap. Intrigued I had a little play and was impressed - very nice tone and touch although, as it's short, not too much bass.

I was amazed to learn this will retail for £4000. Now, I know it's made in China and all that, but how come so cheap? Would it be safe to assume the action will disintegrate after a fortnight?

This is obviously an English name, but now presumably owned by the Chinese. Still, it gave some pianos I've played a run for their money. Plus this was in un-set up condition. Anyone have the technical gen on these?

MV

The Bentley name is not Chinese owned unless Sandbanks has suddenly moved. It's owned by InterMusic.

The Bentley grand is indeed OK and usable out of the box, but actually rather good when regulated. The Bentley uprights were made by Dongbei, but the quality of the grand is better, suggesting a different factory. I've not thoroughly investigated, but it looks very Ningbo, especially the rose-gold frame colour. The action is a tad crude if you look more carefully but no worse than average, so I don't think it'll disintegrate, and I have several customers who've bought them and are happy, especially at the price. Only one criticism and that's the bass, which is very typical of its short scale. It's very difficult to make it sound as good as the rest of the piano, and tuning octaves is very arbitary!

As for that price, I would guess that it will be on the rise soon, and this is indeed the contents of "a container I shipped in earlier".