Danemann160

Danemann 160 — an English grand, 160 cm long, in high-gloss walnut.

Danemann was a London house whose instruments stood in British schools and music rooms for decades; the firm was known for sturdy, plainly built uprights and grands. At 160 cm this is one of the small grands: it has a good deal more bass string than any upright and a good deal less than a concert grand, and the action repeats faster than an upright's ever can.

A grand for a living room where people play: for advanced players moving up from an upright, for piano teachers who teach at home. Two pedals: the right holds the note, the left shifts the action and narrows the tone. If your repertoire needs a sostenuto pedal, you will not find one here.

Walnut in high gloss draws more attention than black and goes with light furniture; fingerprints come off with a dry microfibre cloth, not with water.

With the stool the grand takes about 2 × 1.6 m of floor, so roughly 3 m², and it stands free — the lid opens to the left, so leave room on that side. Not by the radiator, not in the sun: the wood dislikes swings in humidity. A grand goes through a door only with the legs off, on edge on the board, which means piano movers. If there are neighbours behind the wall, a Silent System can be fitted and you play on through headphones.