Serial number: 75007. Branded a Hans Bauer, this piano was manufactured in the 1980’s in the Dietmann Factory in Wellington, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The piano currently has a worn satin white finish, the casing needs repair and refinishing, thus we will be painting it with chalk paint.
The tone is full and rich, on the brighter side. The piano has 88 keys – with a medium medium to heavier touch weight – and 3 pedals. The middle pedal operates the sostenuto rail. The dimensions are a height of 110 cm, a width of 144 cm and a depth of 56,5 cm.
The DE 528 Hans Bauer Upright Pianoforte and stool is currently considered under restoration.
This is an interesting brand! Although stated that Hans Bauer pianos were manufactured in the Dietmann Factory in around 1955, and manufactured in Johannesburg in 1968, the frame detail confirms that it was manufactured in the Dietmann Factory, stating: Hans Bauer, By B. Steiner, Wellington.
With a distinguishing label of B. Steiner (Bernhard Steiner) on the frame, the decorative brand image surrounding the name, Hans Bauer, being the same that is used with both South African Otto Bach and Bernhard Steiner pianos, the production would be associated with the enterprising Kahn family.
Even the lettering can be matched as identical when comparing the Hans Bauer to the JAE 57 Otto Bach branding.
One wonders where the name was derived from and who influenced this brand name.
It becomes even more interesting when one investigates further.
Pianos manufactured in the Dietmann Factory vary greatly. For example, Otto Bach may be a one of the most popular pianos in South Africa, being considered the piano teachers’ choice, but each one may vary in terms of its internal structure. One Otto Bach may be quite different from another.
The photograph of the JAE 57 Otto Bach shows the correct branding of Otto Bach on the frame.
The JAE 116 Otto Bach shows that it is actually a Rud. Ibach Sohn frame. This is an interesting piano as it is very obviously made of parts from various factories and merely assembled in the Dietmann Factory.
The DE 381 Otto Bach, like the Hans Bauer, does not indicate the make of the frame.
As one can see in the last photograph, the spot on the frame that would further distinguish the actual make of the Hans Bauer is left blank.