Used, Hofmann, 140

Presence and power in an upright. This Hofmann concert upright from around 1928 stands a commanding 140 cm tall, with the long strings and large soundboard that give it a near-grand depth of tone. Beautifully kept, the black cabinet wears a high-gloss French polish whose mirror-deep shine is the mark of true hand finishing. The full 88 keys and two pedals deliver a rich, room-filling sound, generous in the bass and clear through the treble, the kind of voice that fills a hall as readily as a home. A handsome, substantial pre-owned instrument for the player who wants grand-scale tone without a grand's footprint.