Petrof’s Pasat B Takes Performance and Style to New Level

The Czech word Pasat translates to “Trade Wind” in English, and just as the warm trade winds carried the early Europeans on their adventure into the new world, the Pasat B will bring a new world of warm musical adventure into your home.

This grand piano is hand-crafted by the Petrof Company as the first model in a new line of concert grand pianos which will make enhancements of current components while utilizing new materials in the construction process. The Research and Development Department of Petrof has a storied history in designing and implementing innovations in traditional grand piano design and construction. The Research Department carried out testing of many diverse materials and their combinations, and then performed critical calculations to determine the optimum design as it related to the desired scaling for the Pasat B. The Pasat B is the latest in over 270 model designs implemented by the Petrof Development Department since it’s inception.

The Petrof Pasat B measures in at 6’ 10.5” in length and features a new acoustic dimension with a #1 bass string length of 58.8 inches. The bass strings lengths have been extended, as well as their diameters modified, to achieve optimum performance. Advanced players and piano technicians alike, have long expressed their desire for Petrof to begin production of an instrument that uses a single string hitching method. The Petrof Pasat B was built in this mode and is the first piano in the world that combines single string hitching with tuned duplexes. In treble section, front duplexes are incorporated from note B4 to C8, and from note F#4 up to C8 back duplexes are used to enhance tonal range. The duplex structures are formed using a contoured stainless steel pad to support the V-bar components that complete the duplex scale design.  The individual V-bar components are made of bronze, coated with an anthracite finish that corresponds with the treble bridge that is trimmed in graphite along its length. The bridge is designed in the traditional Petrof method, with new materials being used in its construction. Following the results found through acoustic research and experimentation it was decided to make both the bass and the treble bridges from solid Hard Maple. To increase sound projection, the upper treble section of the bridge is capped with solid Ebony wood.

The solid Spruce soundboard, with a total area of 2,275 sq. in., is also manufactured in traditional Petrof manner; however, the Petrof Pasat B soundboard is asymmetrically tapered from 9.5 mm to 7 mm, which contributes to superior tonal construction. Together with the new tapered design of the soundboard, a new board arch was designed which works in conjunction with the pre-crowned asymmetrical ribs to offer better support and endurance to the acoustic system.  The cut-off bar in the Petrof Pasat B is also unique in that it is contoured to match the flow of the treble bridge, which will offer a smooth production of tones throughout the scale.

Likewise, the inner rim of Petrof Pasat B has a design that separates it from other grand pianos. Although the inner rim does not appear unusual, it is constructed of solid wood segments assembled in an alternating pattern of Spruce and Red Beech.  This unique construction of the inner rim requires that they be constructed entirely by hand. The beams are made of solid Spruce with the exception of a special densified Red Beech beam in the treble section that further enhances the projection of the treble.  Densification of this beam is accomplished by cooking the Red Beech at high temperatures and then compressing it to 60% of its original size. A steel plate that is anchored to a spur from the gray cast iron frame stiffens the front part of the Hard Maple belly rail, providing the frame with unparalleled support that contributes to the tuning steadiness and overall tone of the piano.

While the Petrof Pasat B features incredible sound and performance qualities, it is also visually breathtaking.  The frame of the piano is finished in a rich, luxurious, shimmering gold that commands attention. In stunning contrast with the frame, the inner rim area incorporates Macassar Ebony veneer, which lines the interior of the instrument. A stunning visual feature is also created through the coordination of string length, combined with the individual hitching and dramatic use of black and red felts to compliment the interior finish. The attention to details in ascetics and scale design, packaged with the Petrof Original action and Abel hammers makes the Petrof Pasat B a true world-class instrument.

The Petrof Pasat B is the culmination of several years of development, however, the completion was timed for unveiling at the 2006 NAMM show to make note of the 20 successful years of cooperation between the Petrof Company and Geneva International Corporation, as well as a new era of Petrof pianos that are a direct result of these joint efforts.