29 East Hintz Road
Wheeling, Illinois 60090
847-520-9970 Fax: 847-520-9593
For many years, Weinbach pianos,
which are distributed in the U.S. by Geneva International Corporation, have
been overshadowed by the stronger and more widely recognized Petrof and
Nordiska brands that are also distributed by the Chicago, Illinois based
distributor. However, in 2004, Geneva
International’s president, Earl Matzkin, along with John Elliott, the company’s
Product Development Manager, developed a strategy that would breathe new life
into the Weinbach brand.
“We had a product, in
Weinbach, that was a high quality instrument, but it was difficult to establish
a market for it to coincide with our Petrof and Nordiska brands,” remarked
Matzkin, “We had to find a way to give Weinbach its own identity without
sacrificing quality in sound and performance.”
The solution was found in
combining the efforts of the Petrof and Nordiska factories to capitalize on the
strengths of both manufacturers. The
Czech-based Petrof Piano Company, who has a long tradition of producing
exceptional piano actions and other key elements for high quality sound
production, would provide those components to Nordiska where they would be
joined with the soundboard, plate and other case parts produced in the Nordiska
piano factory located in northern China.
The results of this international cooperation exceeded all expectations,
as the three grand models and one vertical model were unveiled at the 2006 NAMM
Show in Anaheim, California. The
Chateau 60 (6’0”), Manor 55 (5’5”) and Estate 50 (5’0”) are included in Weinbach’s
grand piano line, while a Model 126 and two Model 118’s will be the initial
introductions in Weinbach vertical pianos.
“Weinbach is truly an
international piano,” commented Elliott, “we have case parts from China,
actions from the Czech Republic, hammers from Germany and bass strings from the
U.S., all working together to produce a remarkable instrument.”
The specifications on the
Weinbach pianos serve to emphasize its international status as they feature
Mapes bass strings, Abel hammers and Roslau treble wire in addition to the
components produced by the Petrof and Nordiska factories. The multi-laminate, hard Maple rims; solid
spruce soundboards; wet sand-cast iron plates and solid, hand-notched, hard
maple bridges coupled with a dynamic and responsive Petrof manufactured actions
have served their purpose in providing Weinbach with a new identity and
bringing Geneva International’s dreams to reality.
For more information on the redesigned Weinbach pianos, contact Geneva International at (800) 533-2388 or visit www.geneva-intl.com.