Kimball Olympic Piano DETAILS

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Kimball "Viennese Edition" Grand Piano -- Model 5860, SER #D88068 --
Price: $4,500
High gloss ebony finish medium grand piano. Built in 1983 to be featured in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los
Angeles, California. Measures 5 ft. 8 in., comes with matching bench with upholstered top. This model was
created for Kimball International utilizing their resources and ownership of Bösendorfer Vienna. Certificates and
letters documenting its provenance are included, as well as having the Olympic seal visible inside the case. A
bonus to the buyer will be a souvenir photo and original program of the 1984 Olympics as well as a DVD
recording of the performance of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" at the LA Coliseum's opening ceremony of the
1984 Olympics.
For a brief time in the 1980s, Kimball and Bösendorfer were jointly owned (evidently by Jasper Woodworking).
Kimball had been invited to produce a piano for the 1984 Olympics, so Bösendorfer designed a model for them
based on their own prestigious line. Although Kimball has a reputation of making fairly average pianos, this
model represented Kimball's effort to produce a world-class piano along the lines of a Bösendorfer (hence the
name "Viennese Classic" after Bösendorfer's location). At half the price of a Bosie, a number of professional
players were drawn to this sleeper. Kimball truly put extra care and effort into manufacturing this model, and
the result is a truly exceptional piano with fantastic bang for the buck.
It was conceived and designed alongside the Bösendorfer designers to utilize many of the already famous
Bösendorfer designs and qualities, such as incorporating the Bösendorfer solid sound board, with ultra solid
bracing and it's 'Roller-Action' keys assembly, aged solid and laminated hardwoods, and intense deep Poly-coat
finish (noted as the deepest shine finish ever on any pro-piano manufactures at the time and still today).
NOTES: This Kimball has moved across the United States 3 times, as well as 3 times within the Los Angeles area
in recent years. It is thus priced accordingly, as there are a few knicks and imperfections in the glossy finish;
however, those imperfections do not affect its rich full sound and comfortable action. (Some have said "It plays
itself.") Only one owner, purchased in 1984 from a Houston, Texas dealer. It has been tuned and cleaned
annually for the past 30 years. Has been housed in a nonsmoking, no-pets household throughout ownership.
This historic piano has been lovingly played and enjoyed by its owner (former soprano, accompanist and
teacher), students and friends; a new home for it is being sought as a result of home downsizing/lack of space.
The piano was last tuned/serviced following its recent move in October, 2015.
Included in this sale with asking price: one free tuning upon final placement.
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HISTORY
Kimball Pianos International Austria-'Vienna Edition' Kimball. Kimball owners of Bösendorfer, one of the oldest
piano manufacturers, was established in 1828 by Ignaz Bösendorfer. It has a history of producing highly
respected instruments; in 1830, it was granted the status of official piano maker to the Emperor of Austria in
1931. In 1966 Bösendorfer was taken over by the Jasper Shells Corporation (later renamed Kimball
International), parent company of ''Kimball Pianos'', where it remained before returning to Austrian hands,
when it was purchased by BAWAG PSK Gruppe in 2002. BAWAG signed an agreement to sell all stock in
Bösendorfer to Yamaha on 20 December 2007.
There were 84 Kimball Grand Pianos of this type that were used on stage for the opening ceremony in the 1984
Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Kimball's Bösendorfer division in Vienna, Austria has been the source of major
design features of the Kimball line of grand pianos. The Kimball 5'8" and 6'7" grands have plate designs derived
from the Bösendorfers of the same size, and the only American-made grands available with the high-gloss
polyester finish, as used on Bösendorfer concert grands. Kimball 5'8" and 6'7" grands use the Schwander roller
concert grand action, often used in Bösendorfers, renowned for its crisp and articulate response. These actions
are built by a Kimball affiliate in England, the world's oldest existing piano action manufacturer, founded in
1810.
(909) 228-7056 mobile
[email protected]