🎹C. Bechstein Academy A124 (B124) Upright Piano Review & Demo🎹
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2020
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#A124 #CBechstein #UprightPiano
Hi everybody and welcome to another piano review video here at the Merriam Pianos TH-cam channel. It’s been a little while since we’ve done an upright piano review video, so today we’ve got a beauty for you - The C. Bechstein Academy A124 upright piano.
This is an incredible upright piano, hand-made in Germany, with a super wide range of musical potential.
If this is the first time to the Merriam Pianos channel, please subscribe, we’d really appreciate the support!
One of my Personal Favourites:
The first time I played this instrument was about 5 years ago, and prior to that experience, I wasn’t overly familiar with Bechstein pianos in general other than playing on my friend and superb pianist Adrean Farrugia’s Bechstein Academy upright which was very nice. The first time I played an A124 was at Bechstein’s NAMM booth several years ago, where they were debuting several redesigned models, including a brand new A124. I sat down at the A124 and instantly had a super connective. Incredible musical experience. The bass response was so well balanced, I felt like I was sitting in front of a 6 foot grand. It made such an impression on me that day, and it's what ultimately led to us making the A124 a staple at our showrooms (when they’re in stock that is.)
Piano Overview:
Some quick background on the piano; the A124 is of course 124 cm tall, which is just shy of 49”, and is 100% made in Germany. The A124 is part of Bechstein’s Academy line, meaning it’s part of the second highest quality line of pianos they produce, under only the Concert/Masterpiece line. Some of the material and design costs are reduced with the Academy series, but they are built to the same quality standard and by the same craftsmen as the Concert line.
Bechstein makes their own hammers, one of the few piano manufacturer’s still doing this, and every single model has its own hammer made specifically for that piano. This goes a long in helping to achieve the distinct character each Bechstein piano displays, and the A124 is no exception to this.
Sound:
If I had to use one word to describe the overall sound of the A124 it would be balance - everything about this piano is incredibly balanced, and it doesn’t require much effort on the part of the player to achieve this. The response is amazing, and one of the main reasons for this is how picky Bechstein is with the Spruce they select for their instruments. In every Academy upright, Bechstein uses Alpine Spruce exclusively grown at a minimum of 800 meters, which means the wood is going to be incredibly consistent and have very little moisture. Spruce grown at these altitudes is consistent with what you’ll find in other pianos at the very top of the market.
Another contributor to the tone, especially with regards to the bass, has to do with the fact that the bass strings are hand wound, and sourced extremely selectively. There’s no fall beats, the bass is super clear, as is the treble. There’s not a ton of complexity to the mid range and treble, but it’s laser focused in its clarity.
Action:
Bechstein’s always been well known for their actions with regards to the accuracy and how well regulated they are. The overall control and repetition speed here are super impressive. The resistance is closer to a grand piano, which is a huge plus since this is a typical drawback of upright piano actions - a lack of resistance which can make playing classical music a challenge.
Cabinet:
The A124 is available in two cabinet designs, the ‘Impossant’ (featured in the video) and ‘Style’. It’s also available by special order in a variety of finishes.
Conclusions:
The type of person I think will be most intrigued by this piano is not only someone not constrained by budget, but someone who had no idea an upright piano could provide a musical experience like this. Also, if you’re already looking at a grand piano with a $30,000 budget, you should definitely consider the A124 as an alternative.
Thanks for watching! Long live the piano!
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I just bought this piano. Stu, thank you for confirming my justifications for buying the A124 even though it meant exceeding my 20K budget. I had to literally throw away my 120 year old Newcombe upright that I loved but would no longer stay in tune for more that a couple of months. I tried Yamaha, Steinway, Rittmuller, Hoffman, Blutner and the A124 was the one I bonded with. One thing I would add to your excellent review is the fact that I also wanted a piano that would last a hundred years and be a beautiful family heirloom playable (one day) by my grand children...A Bechstein piano certainly fulfils that “dream”...Cheers and keep up the great reviews. You are a highly knowledgeable and credible chap, Sir. JP.
I’m just curious when comparing this to a grand , something like yamaha, what model yamaha grand do you have to get to get a better sounding piano than this upright ?
You failed since you didn’t try a Charles R Walter 1500 or a Kawai K800
C. Bechstein is one of my favorite pianos. I love their bright and punchy tone! Also, the quality and effort they put into their pianos is amazing!
Your reviews are always best and you have such vast knowledge about the pianos. I never miss your reviews I love the way you explain about the instruments and your playing is amazing. I love the C. Bechstein pianos a lot, I never get chance to play Bechstein pianos. This particular models sound so fabulous. Great review! Thank you so much 😊
After extensive research and watching your great videos..we have just purchased this A124. Thanks Stu for your thoughtful, passionate and informative videos-they are great!
Thanks so much for doing this review Stu. I purchased one and had it delivered last week and it sounds even more beautiful in my home. I love everything about it. The touch is amazing and the sound crazy beautiful. I also love the history of the company. Thanks so much again for introducing me to this wonderful model and manufacturer. It is a very special instrument.
What an excellent piano and an excellent review by Stu, as always. 🙂 These reviews have somehow an artistic value by themselves. I will preserve the beautiful tone and all the information about this piano for unspecified future and I believe that a realistic one. Thank you and my best greetings for all the Merriam Music team from Poland. 😉
Hi! Brent here! Thank you so much for tuning in and for sharing your kind words! I will be happy to pass them along to Stu on your behalf. All the best from Canada! :)
seems like the perfect concept and execution for what is called a learning "academy" piano - perfect balance without the expense of an exceptional sound
Rewatching this video. That just sounds incredible. Maybe someday I can try one out 🙂
Great video! And I really wonder how do they record the piano. It sounds amazing!
Nice video, and good to see more Bechstein uprights on your channel. I can definitely relate to your experience Stu. I was so fortunate to try the A116 model, while searching for my first acoustic piano, and although it was 50% more that I planned to spend, I fell in love from the very first note. Both the tone and touch are something that I found superior even compared to some budget grands. Personally I would love to see your opinion on a Bechestein Academy grand, preferably the 190 or 210. ;)
Such a great presentation! Thank you once again!
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)
As always, awesome details and explanation ! I'd be interested to know the difference from your point of you between German made piano (Bechstein/Steigraebe) versus Japan made pianos (Kawai/Yamaha). Especially given the price point difference between their top lines !
Thank you for a great review! I have an A116 and love it for the same reasons!
You're very welcome! Congrats on a wonderful piano! The Bechstein academy uprights are incredible pianos. Happy playing! :)
wow I love the sound of this piano!!!!!
Thank you Stu. I live in New Zealand and I bought an A124 last week (it a year old) from MusicPlanet here in NZ. We initially paid for a new Schimmel (about $10k less) but I changed my mind and went for the 1 year old Bechstein and I am so pleased I did. I listened to both of your reviews (on each piano) and as I am currently doing my LTCL performance, I feel the treble is better on the A124 for the repertoire I have chosen.
I am so blown away by the tone, it has been 3 days and I can't stop smiling. The tone is beautiful and the beautiful spruce soundboard at the back is lovely to look at.
Hi! Brent here! Congrats on your A124! It is a remarkable piano with unparalleled expressivity and musicality in its class. I know you will be thrilled with it. We're glad that our reviews were helpful in your process. )
@@MerriamPianos I made a Suno (AI) song about my Bechstein :-) th-cam.com/video/u3qK4BedmRs/w-d-xo.html
I had a chance to try out this exact piano at Merriam Music a few days ago. It really is a marvelous instrument ! The bass is just incredible and the clarity and sustain in the high register is jaw-droppingly good ! I ultimately purchased another excellent model of piano from a Bechstein subsidiary (Hoffmann) for practical reasons (budget plus room characteristics) but this instrument was extremely tempting :-) .
i'm just curious, is this piano, better sounding than japenese grands, that are similar priced, like the Kawai RX2 or Yamaha CX2?
Hi Stu thank you for this Great review. I am about to Buy an upright piano -- and cannot Really decide between a new A124 , I loved the sound and bass- and an old concert 8 from 1908 - completley „refurbished“. - Both have the Same Price. Trank you so much for your help. Right now I am having a steinway Grand A 188 - -
I got to try one the other day, and it was absolutely magical! 😍
Absolutely! The A124 model from Bechstein is a remarkable upright piano! :)
I've been playing for 75 years, have gone to the NAMM shows in LA for 30+ years, and have played all the top end Brands at either NAMM or in showrooms on both coasts of the US. This review is easily the best I've seen among hundreds! Bravo and thank you, Stu!
I remember the first time I became aware of Bechstein, it was many years ago watching Queen. On the large stage was a beat up blue (probably concert grand) Bechstein which Freddie Mercury was playing. How many Rock bands do you know of which used a concert grand live on stage?
Hi Merriam Music!
Just thought you'd want to know, there's a typo in the thumbnail for this video. "C. BECGHSTEIN" instead of Bechstein. Given how often TH-cam has been recommending this video to me, I see it quite often 😅
Thanks for the amazing videos, they were instrumental in helping me find my piano (got a Hoffmann T128!)
Hi Stu, what do you think about the “silent” system that some Bechstein upright pianos have? Do you think adding this kind of system affect the overall sound quality of the piano (when played acoustically)?
I'm going to guess this upright isn't voiced for such a large room so being able to project such a balance sound, and it not getting lost in the room, is very impressive. Just picture a great Bluetooth 40watt speaker that sounds great in an 18x11 foot room then put that same speaker in a large piano showroom...the sound would be weak and lost. That is what is impressing me, yes it has microphone recording it, but still impressive.
Hello! So how does 124 academy compares to 124 residence? Is academy more mellow? Is residence’s action noticeably more refined?
I saw this video and it was very useful. I bought this piano and not one part of the piano disappointed me.Thank you Merriam music!
You're very welcome!
@@MerriamPianos would you say this is better than the c8 or no. I know it's smaller so it might not have quite the sound of the c8 but how is the action compared I hear various answers that they say the one to four is better but I don't think it is If you can let me know I would greatly appreciate it
@@MerriamPianos Stu to follow up my question about which upright is better the c8 concert or the 124 I also wanted to ask you and your opinion what is the best upright available in the world price no objection. Currently I have a fazioli 278 which I love but because of size I'm downsizing so I want something with great touch and feel and sound If you can direct me in the right direction I would appreciate it
@@robertlulek1634 Always hard to answer in absolute terms when talking about something as subjective as pianos, but I'd say the Concert 8 would have quite a few votes as 'best' upright on the planet. Bosendorfer and Steingraeber uprights are also highly prized, but I have always found the Bechstein to be the most balanced between the three. Coincidentally, it's also the only upright that uses the same soundboard material (Val Di Fiemme) that your Fazioli 278 does! Certainly the potential is there to have some tonal commonality because of it. Cheers!
@@robertlulek1634 Actually, this A124 is quite the downgrade...a bit confusing but they also make a C124 which is shorter but at least of the same 'ilk' as the Concert 8. In that match-up, it's more about the size of room and the type of repertoire in the C124 vs C8 debate. Coming from the F278 9' though, I think you'd miss having the big bass if you went to the 124...it's a CLEAR bass, but not nearly as full and brassy as what you get on the Concert 8. (this video's piano, the A124, is part of the academy line which has downgraded bridge, soundboard material, soundboard cut, bass strings, action, and back-post construction. ) Cheers, stu
How do you record your uprights Stu, lovely playing!
+1 for this! I am really curious about it too, it sounds marvelous
I had the opportunity to play a Bechstein A124 and it’s an absolutely amazing instrument.
At first, when I only heard his voice, I suspected that this piano would be a high quality instrument. Afterwards, when I looked, I saw that it was a Bechstein. Now I understand everything. :)
That was the point when I thought: if an upright piano can be so good, a similar one might be perfect for me (I thought of a grand piano before that).
So I bought an upright. Unfortunately not a Bechstein, but ... it remains a dream for now. :)
It's always nice to dream :-) What kind of piano did you buy ? Are you happy with it ?
@@gabithemagyar :)
Well, this is a Kawai K-2.
It is a very beautiful and good instrument, but several compromises had to be made.
On the one hand, I wanted a higher min. 120 cm case, and this is only 114.
Its mechanics are very responsive, but the touch is a bit heavy for me, approx. 60-62 grams. I planned to lighten it to 50 grams.
In addition, its tone is very muffled, as if the sound doesn’t want to come out of the cabinet (it sounds with the lid fully open the way he should sound when closed). I will also ask for intonation at the next tuning, after which this problem will hopefully disappear.
So: a Bechstein is a Bechstein. Really perfectly balanced in both touch and tone...
@@komoriszilard7297 Sounds similar to my original piano ... a Petrof about 114 cm high that I bought new in 1972 and that I just replaced a couple of months ago. That too had a very heavy action and a muffled sound. I liked to open up the top lid and remove the bottom panel when playing to let more sound out. My new piano is a Hoffmann T122 made in the Czech Republic by Bechstein. I chose it over the A124 partially due to budget reasons (I am not rich :-) ) but love it and , in some ways, even prefer it to the A124. Of course, preference as to touch and tone are very personal things but it was the right choice for me. Enjoy your Kawai and I hope that your dream of a Bechstein comes true soon :-)
@@gabithemagyar Thank you! Congratulations to your new Hoffmann piano!
I had my first encounter with a Hoffman many years ago and I have very good memories of it. It was somehow different from the pianos I met before. Better quality, nicer tone and better touch.
I checked out the video about the T122 on this youtube channel, and I think too it was a good choice!
Do you live in Hungary? - Just because of your username.
@@komoriszilard7297 Thank you :-) I live in Canada just north of Toronto. Of course I am of Hungarian background :-) You ?
What’s your opinion of Hoffmann’s P126 in comparison? Is A124 worth the jump in price?
What the world is waiting for is Kawai CA vs Yamaha 700 please
Exactly Mainly With Kawai CA 79
Hi Stu, this was an amazing information. I love the Bechstein B124 I almost bought one but I needed to keep the cash previous year for moving out. How would you recommend this over kawai k500-600? Do you think it is worth it the extra cash?? Thank you very much. I would really appreciate your take on it.
Yes. I have a K5 and would like to upgrade. Wondering if this would be it.
Could you please compare Kawai K800 with Yamaha YUS5?
Many thanks for another really informative review. One of the things you mentioned for this and in particular for the classic version is the amount of work that is put in by technicians in the factory to set these instruments up. Some instruments, no doubt at the cheaper end, require regulation and toning by the showroom following delivery, so I am presuming this is absolutely not the case with either the Academy or the Classic?
So the obvious question is whether you have noticed much of a difference from sample to sample for the Academy; clearly there will be some tonal differences as the sound boards, hammers and strings etc. will be a little bit different, though I would expect the touch to be pretty well the same?
Hi Mick! You're very welcome! When it comes handcrafted instruments, it is certainly true that they generally receive far more time at the factory dedicated to prep, regulation, and voicing that substantially increases the playing experience. In regard to Bechstein pianos, both of their lines receive substantial factory prep, which makes them formidable instruments right out of the box in terms of touch and tone. While there can be some minor disparities between different specimens of the same model, Bechstein is renowned for their incredible precision and consistency.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for your reply to this and other comments Stu, much appreciated. Presumably Bechstein also delays shipping these pianos for a while to allow the strings to stretch and settle, just in case the tone from the wound strings were to change appreciably?
I think I will have to eye up an A124 for when I retire in a few years time, provided of course I continue to enjoy my playing and improve, though having a piano with a lovely tone will be an incentive to play more!
If u compare A124 vs. Classic 124~:)?
Do you have Bechstein A114 modern? A 114 Modern
C. Bechstein Academy. How do you think about it? It is comparable to Steinway uprights? Please let me know your detailed review. I watch your video a lot and you are a great expert!
Hey Stu! I would like to ask what would be your preference between the A124 and R116 instruments since in some markets they are priced similarly to each other. Thanks!
Curious about this as well as I am debating between the two models
I just fell in love with the small C. Bechstein 116 Millenium. This is the smallest from the concert series. Good lord that sound look and feel is from another dimension!! I tried so many pianos but this small one is even better than some grands!
I’m just curious did you like it (116) better than any grands ? If so which grands and which uprights ?
I have to agree with this - the Millienium 116 is the best "modern" piano (upright or grand) I have played for many years. There is just something magical about it
Stu, do you sell any Mason and Hamlin's? I would love some in depth videos of a Model 50 upright and Model A baby grand. Most youtube videos I see of MH pianos just don't seem to have good microphone setups. So you don't get a real good sense of the true sound
Hey Stu. A question, how would you compare this to a Kawai GX-2? If space wasn't an issue, which one do you think would be more suitable for a classical amateur pianist?
If you selected a great GX2 and had a good tech work on it, I'd say this. Keep in mind that in a lot of ways, the GX2 is just a factory-built SK2...so when you get a great one, voice and regulate the heck out of it, you basically have an SK2 on a budget. And a great GX2 would be my musical choice over an A124, all other factors considered equal. -stu
@@MerriamPianos thank you very much, very well understood. Btw, I can't get enough of your video which you played Gershwin's Summertime on Gx2. Beautiful playing, beautiful piano. Cheers from Turkey, Ali.
The Academy 124 sounds just amazing. I would love to hear a side-by-side sound comparison of the Bechstein Academy and the Bechstein Residence. I wonder whether there are any real sound differences. On price, at least in Germany this instrument is fairly in the middle of the price-range for a 124/125 cm piano, a bit above the Seiler but well below Grotrian-Steinweg.
I am looking in the high end upright world right now, I played both back to back last week, the difference I found was the A124 was warmer and a little less clear below middle c, it had a gorgeous bloom. The Residence was clearer across the board and had a dryer less saturated tone with maybe even slightly more bloom to the note. I'm playing the concert 8 next week, ill let u know how that fairs. I'm buying one of them after I play the 8, or maybe a steingraeber 138.
@@JordansTake35 I'm looking forward to your views on all of them! And do play an August Förster if you have the chance.
Jordan, do you think the R124 is worth the extra money other the A124? I am now considering these pianos and really can't decide which one I should buy.
We played an Academy and Residence 124 side by side last week in NYC. Even the salesman agreed the Academy sounded better. These were only 2 models, of course. You would have to decide for yourself, but the choice to all of us was clear. By all accounts, materials, time, etc… the R should have blown the Academy away. In our case, it did not. The action on the R felt slightly better, but not the 9K difference in price better. And believe me, I wanted that R going in. Left with the A124.
@@wojciechzysnarski2667 I would get whatever piano you like more. The extra 5-8k is a lot now, but if you are going to have this piano for 20-30+ years then what is that extra money gonna mean spread out over that long.. an extra 200$ a year to have the piano you really want? Seems worth it to me.
Just listening again to your review, you briefly referred to an Academy 120 and in Europe at least there is the relatively new A4 which is a 120cm piano; are these one and the same (Bechstein seems to be confusing us now with A2, A4, A6, R2, R4 and R6s)? I wondered if you had played the A4/A120? I would be interested to know whether the A4 (120) and C118 are noticeably different action/sound wise from their A124/C124 counterparts. I ask because I do not want a piano that is too loud owing to my hearing issues but do not want to sacrifice sound quality (though I accept bass will not be quite as deep). Thanks as always.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While I have spent a great deal of time on the A124 and A6 models, I have not yet played the new A4 model. In terms of the Academy series pianos' tone and touch in comparison to the Concert/Residence series pianos, there is a meaningful divide in my personal opinion. Don't get me wrong; the Academy models are absolutely stunning in every regard. However, the Concert/Residence series instruments are higher-calibre instrument from a materials and specification perspective. They also receive far more prep, voicing, and regulation, which provides an even more superior musical experience. However, like most things music related, it comes down to one's subjective opinion and preferences. The best bet is to test the models you're interested in side-by-side to determine which one you connect with the most.
@@MerriamPianos Many thanks Brent for your reply; you are right of course, need to compare side by side, though finding a dealer with several models in stock is not easy without travelling a lot. Wish you had stores in the UK!!! How do the A124 and A6 compare though, given the A6 is apparently a new design?
Just got one for my apartment in London. Glorious tone and suits my drawing room perfectly. Thanks for the recommendation. BTW we tested the W Hoffmann T122 first, then the P126 but the A124 blew me away. Then tried the R124 and the new A6 but this A124 offered the best value
Congrats on your A124! It is an incredible piano and one of my personal favourites when it comes to uprights. Thanks so much for tuning in and happy playing! :)
How was the A6 compared to the A124?
The A6 has slightly longer strings, better prepped and great but there was a good offer on the A124.
@@trevoryang4355 Was the sound and feel noticeably different?
@@andrechezlewis the A6 is an improvement on the A124 but it is all very nuanced and I am not discerning enough to say it is immediately obvious especially when not in a side-by- side comparison
You seem to have quite the connection with this one... Did you do it Stu... Did you trade your 'German upright' for the NV5... Is this A124 yours!?! Is your piano Stu!?! Stuuuu noooo!
All jokes aside, the clarity of the sound in the mid range and treble end is incredible, even through my phone speakers! Look forward to 'test driving' one some day soon to hear it in person, even if my wallet won't allow it.
Beautiful piano and beautiful melody. May I have the name of the song at 00:40?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The A124 was a beautiful model. We're excited to see the A6 model, which will be replacing it. I would have to check with Stu as to what that piece is, but it is quite beautiful! :)
Can you make a video about the C.Bechstein 12N ?
The C. Bechstein 12N is an older model, so, unfortunately, it will not be one the we cover in an upcoming video. With that said, the C. Bechstein R2 Millennium is the current equivalent and a review of that model may very well be in the cards. :)
Nice sound but not quite like a grand ...That's only the C Bechstein Concert 8 ... Steingraeber 130 / 132 Steinway K 132 Bluthner 132 too ....so good
You need to do a spell check on the billboard that advertises this.
is it ridiculous to want one of these as a 60 yr old 2 year beginnner? would a much cheaper w hoffman or kawai 500 be a drastically inferior
Hi Simon! Brent from Merriam Music here! I don't think it is ridiculous at all! We have some piano customers that begin on concert grands. It is all relative to the wants, needs and budget of the shopper. With that said the A124 is a truly magnificent upright. It has recently been discontinued and is being replaced by the 126 cm A6 model. The W. Hoffmann T122 and Kawai K500 are also amazing instruments. For me and many players, there is a marked difference in tone between the Bechstein uprights, which should be expected given the difference in price point as well as the quality of materials and sheer amount of time dedicated to building and prepping the pianos. The best bet is to get to a showroom to compare the A124 against these other models to see if you notice a difference in terms of its musical output and whether that difference is worth the higher budget. Hope this helps! :)
Is it me or am I hearing a tuning situation in this instrument ? Especially the relationship between the lower half to the upper half seems off to my ear.
Well, you have a typo on a title picture )
It better be good, for that price.
Might want to fix the spelling on the headline of the first frame. It shouldn't be "BECGHSTEIN."
Still misspelled-- very unflattering!!
Just say the price!!!
Talk too much 7:14
Not every specification or piece of information will be important to every viewer/piano shopper, but, with that said, we try to be as thorough as possible to ensure that everyone gets access to the pertinent information that is most important to them. With that said, the unique hammer design is an important detail of the A124 and a significant differentiator from other models at this price point, especially when you consider how much the hammer design of a piano shapes the overall tone.
Way way too much blah blah blah. Could have done this in 5 minutes
Thanks for checking out the video! Every piano shopper is different, so we strive to be as thorough as possible. From specs to history of the company to manufacturing practices, different customers resonate with different pieces of information and weigh them differently in their decision making process. With that said, we have started tagging the start points of different topics in our more recent videos to ensure that viewers can quickly navigate to the information that is relevant for them. Sorry the tags are missing from this video, but we appreciate you taking the time to check out our channel and write in! All the best! :)
Hi Stu😊hope you are doing great.
I am big fan of yours and learned a lot from your youtube videos.
Quick question, in your professional opinion which one these two C. Bechstein would be better choice overall, A4 or A124S?! @merriampianos
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for taking the time to support our channel! We're glad you have been enjoying and finding Stu's reviews/comparisons helpful. :)
In my opinion, the A124 is a superior instrument to the A4 given its taller size. The larger soundboard and longer bass strings provide more dynamic and tonal range as well as a clearer bass section. With that said, these are both exceptional instruments!