Piano on early Queen albums - Question

[sebasstian]

Hello everybody

I'm Sebastian and I run a Queen website (about the rock band, not about Her Majesty), which can be seen here: http://sebastian.queenconcerts.com/

The purpose of my query is to find out for sure what was the piano used by the band during their first two albums, as an integral part of my web is to list the equipment used by the band. 'Queen' and 'Queen II' were recorded at Trident Studios in 1972 and 1973, respectively. According to several books about The Beatles, Trident housed a Bechstein on late 60's (http://sebastian.queenconcerts.com/leti ... hstein.jpg), and that piano was auctioned earlier this decade claiming it'd also been used by Bowie, T-Rex, Elton John, Queen, Rick Wakeman, George Harrison, etc.

Indeed, this 1980 photo of Trident Studio 1 shows the Bechstein: http://sebastian.queenconcerts.com/bill ... rident.jpg.

But, in this 1972 magazine they claim the piano was a Steinway: http://sebastian.queenconcerts.com/bill ... rident.jpg.

It's been suggested that Trident Productions had hired the Bechstein for the Beatles recordings, then acquired a Steinway and then, years later, bought a (or the) Bechstein, which was the one that got auctioned in 2001. In that case, Queen would have used the Steinway... the only way to be sure is by listening to the tracks, AFAIK Bechstein and Steinway are very distinctive to each other but TBH I'm still not trained enough to tell the difference.

Please keep in mind that I'm not asking you to do my 'homework', but I'd still appreciate any insight on the matter. The following unofficial files feature the piano prominently, if anybody cares to listen and comment, please do so:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?index=6&pl ... playnext=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRqoe59_ ... re=related


Thank you in advance!



Seb

[markymark]

Hmm... the recordings are poor - and particularly of the piano. All that can be heard is the mid and a touch of the top end range. I have played so many pianos (mostly in church settings) where the poorly maintained piano sounds exactly like that with lots of ringing in the strings. I'm sure that maintenance is not the issue here if it is in a recording studio, but the poor pick-up is not doing the piano any favours at all.

The piano could be anything! Having said that, it doesn't sound like a Yamaha because the tone does not cut through the rest of the band. Because the piano is being pounded, any natural voicing or tone of the piano is impossible to distinguish. I have found Steinways in particularly do not respond to this style of playing but equally a poorly maintained Samick would sound the same when played like the piano in both recordings is being played.

[Gill the Piano]

Contact Trident studios if they're still extant. Steinway keep a record (now) of who hired what when, and are helpful to academic researchers. (Yes you are, it's a book, innit?) Worth asking...I might be able to find out through indirect and nefarious means involving bottles of BOmbay Sapphire gin if you have no luck. Freddie always referred to Bechstein Debauchery, even before A Night At The Opera, so...!

[sebasstian]

Thank you both for your answers.

Hmm... the recordings are poor - and particularly of the piano. All that can be heard is the mid and a touch of the top end range.

The released version of 'The March...' can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U90E7sZdETU. The piano sounds way better there but the amount of vocals and guitars may make it tough to distinguish it; yet, if the problem's the quality as you say, then it solves it for some extent.

Another song recorded by the same band around the same time is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXKiixkdKyU

Because the piano is being pounded, any natural voicing or tone of the piano is impossible to distinguish. I have found Steinways in particularly do not respond to this style of playing but equally a poorly maintained Samick would sound the same when played like the piano in both recordings is being played.

If you don't mind, could you elaborate on that? Do you mean the style of the pianist is quite odd and makes it difficult to recognise the instrument's natural voice? It's an honest question because I've got no idea, my piano skills are very basic and I can't draw too specific conclusions without making huge mistakes.

Contact Trident studios if they're still extant. Steinway keep a record (now) of who hired what when, and are helpful to academic researchers.

Trident still exist but they've changed management and virtually everything but the name. Would you please tell me how can I contact Steinway about my inquiry?

(Yes you are, it's a book, innit?)

It's only a website for the moment... when (or if) I gather enough 'confirmed' information I may think about the next step

Freddie always referred to Bechstein Debauchery, even before A Night At The Opera, so...!

TBH, I've only seen the 'Bechstein Debauchery' label on ANATO. Never before or since; but even if that were the case, it could be from SHA onwards, thus making the first two albums 'applicable' for either the Steinway or the Bechstein... or maybe a Bechsteinway?

[Barrie Heaton]

Also try the other big hire shops in the area Marksons for one, plus the removal company's they also keep records. A Heckman was the tuner who tuned for most of the recoding studios in the 60 70s in the London area but sadly he is no longer with us

Most studios hire in pianos as they take up so much space in the live room

Barrie

[joseph]

The piano sounds like a Bechstein, a very old Bechstein. It is bright and has a short sustain.

The studio had a Bechstein, and I think Samuel's in London hired out a Bechstein to Freddie.

I don't think he cared what kind of piano he used as long as he could play it. He bought a NY Steinway later on, No idea where it ended up or what condition its in tho!

I know he thumped the piano a bit but my word, the boy could sing!