Broadwood Pianos

The Broadwood piano company is a direct descendant of the workshop of the famous harpsichord builder of the 18th century, Burkat Shudi. Trained by Tabel, who himself trained with the incomparable Ruckers harpsichord building family, Shudi opened his workshop in 1728. Among those who purchased Shudi harpsichords were Handel and the Prince of Wales.

John Broadwood, a Scottish carpenter, married Shudi's daughter and trained in the Shudi workshop. By 1773, Broadwood and Shudi's son were full partners in the business. Broadwood experimented with making square pianos very early on. By 1777, along with Americus Backer and Robert Stodart, Broadwood had developed one of the earliest grand pianos. By 1795, the company became "John Broadwood & Son". The last harpsichords had been made two years earlier.

Among the highest esteemed pianos in the world, Broadwoods were found with Haydn, Beethoven, and in the finest palaces. Broadwood's English Action was in direct competition with the Viennese type of action. In 1886, Liszt played a Broadwood grand on his last visit to London. Still in business today, Broadwood supplies the instruments to the royal family of England.

The new "Barless" upright piano takes full advantage of today's technology and advanced materials to finally do away with cumbersome mid - Victorian design of cast frame and restore the purity of the frame shape seen in the pianos played by great masters. Moreover, this enables the incorporation of string lengths which are equivalent to those of a sizeable grand piano.

The length of the string plays a vital part in the tone of the instrument. Within reason, the longer the strings, the better the tone. The "Barless" design seeks to achieve the tonal quality of a sizeable grand piano with its longer strings, within the smaller scale inherent in the upright piano concept.

John Broadwood & Sons Ltd have worked closely with Ladbrooke Pianos Ltd on this project to ensure the finest quality, the Broadwood "Barless" Upright Piano is made in England.

• Colour Black
• Braced Back Standard
• 7. 25 Octaves Standard
• Castors Standard
• Lock Optional
• 3rd Pedal celeste Optional
• Height 132cm (52")
• Depth 64.3cm (25 3/8")
• Width 152 (59 3/4")