Rosler

Colour: Mahogany satin

Rösler, often written Rosler in the UK, is a Bohemian name. The firm was founded by Gustav Rösler at Česká Lípa in 1878 and was later folded into the Czechoslovak state piano industry alongside Petrof at Hradec Králové. Röslers built in central Europe have a warmer, rounder tone than the bright Japanese uprights of the same period, and a slightly lighter touch that many players find easy to live with.

This example stands 110cm tall with a full 88-note keyboard and three pedals, presented in a satin mahogany cabinet with a figured upper panel and priced at £2,395. It has been assessed and prepared by our team at The Piano Gallery.

Available to purchase online or to try in person at our Oxfordshire showroom. Contact us to arrange a viewing or to discuss delivery and part-exchange options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rösler the same company as Petrof?

Not originally. Rösler was an independent Bohemian maker from 1878, and the two firms were brought together under state ownership after 1948 and again when Petrof acquired the Rösler name in 1993. That is worth knowing when comparing instruments, because a Rösler made in central Europe and a recent Rösler built under licence elsewhere are quite different propositions. We are happy to confirm the age and origin of this particular piano from its serial number.

Is it spelled Rosler or Rösler?

Both are correct depending on where you are. The maker's own name carries the umlaut, and the fallboard on this piano reads Rösler. UK dealers and buyers usually drop it and write Rosler, so you will find instruments listed under either spelling when you are searching.

What does the middle pedal do?

On European uprights of this type the middle pedal is most often a practice mute, which drops a strip of felt between the hammers and the strings to reduce the volume considerably. On some instruments it is instead a bass sustain. We can tell you exactly which is fitted to this piano, and demonstrate it, when you visit.

Who is a piano like this best suited to?

It suits a household that wants something with more character than a standard modern upright without going to the expense of a German instrument. The warmer European voicing is kinder in a smaller room, and at 110cm there is enough string length for the bass to have real body. It is a good piano for a learner who is likely to keep playing, and it will not be outgrown quickly.

Will it hold its tuning?

Czech-built uprights of this era were solidly made and generally hold tuning well once they have settled in a new home. Expect to have any piano tuned a few weeks after it is moved, because the change of environment matters more than the journey itself, and then twice a year in normal use.