In 2011, Samick expanded the Seiler line to cover three price points. The top-level instruments continue to be handcrafted at the Seiler factory in Kitzingen, just as they have been for many years. They come in two styles, Classic and Trend. The construction and specifications of the two styles are the same, but the Trend looks a bit more modern, and sports a silver-colored plate and chrome hardware, whereas the Classic has the traditional gold- or bronze-colored plate and brass hardware. Both are available in dozens of special furniture styles with beautiful, exotic woods and inlays.

The mid-level Seiler pianos, designated the ES models, and the more affordable ED models, are together known as the Eduard Seiler line. These have cabinet parts and sound bodies (strung backs) constructed at Samick's Indonesian factory using German CNC machinery, and to the exact scales and specifications of the hand-built German models. The ES models are then shipped to Kitzingen, where assembly is completed, full Renner actions and German hammers are installed, and the final musical finishing of the instruments is performed. Final assembly of the ED models takes place in Indonesia, using Renner wippen assemblies and a Samick hornbeam or Delignit action rail. All Seiler pianos distributed in North America, regardless of origin, come with the Seiler name on the fallboard.

At both the Kitzingen and Indonesian factories, strung backs are inspected to make sure that all specifications have been met to the strictest tolerances. Soundboard mass distribution and rib positioning are under strict quality control in order to achieve consistency in the soundboard's acoustical properties. Pre-stretching of the strings is done several times, followed by multiple tunings, to ensure maximum stability. Hammer alignment, voicing, and key weighting and balancing are all carefully performed by experienced Seiler technicians. Renner actions are regulated for maximum performance. All cabinet parts are carefully fitted to exact specifications.

Seiler's 52" upright is available with the optional Super Magnet Repetition (SMR) action, a patented feature that uses magnets to increase repetition speed. During play, tiny magnets attached to certain action parts of each note repel each other, forcing the parts to return to their rest position faster, ready for the next keystroke.

Warranty: 10 years, parts and labor, to original purchaser.

SEJUNG

including Falcone, Hobart M. Cable, Geo. Steck

Welkin Sound
1590 S. Milliken Ave., Unit H
Ontario, California 91761
909-484-7498
866-473-5864
sales@sejungusa.com
www.sejungusa.com

Pianos made by: Sejung Corporation, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China

Sejung is a Korean-based company established in 1974. The musical instrument division of the business began production in 2001 with the creation of a partnership with Qingdao Sejung Musical Instruments in China. They began by building a 700,000-square-foot factory in Qingdao, a port city on the eastern coast with a temperate climate; hired dozens of managers who had once worked for Young Chang and Samick; and staffed the factory with some 2,000 workers. In order to attract skilled labor and reduce turnover, the company built dormitories to house and feed this labor force. The company has invested substantially in automated production equipment to achieve high quality standards, and produces just about every piano component in its own factories.

Sejung currently manufactures the Falcone, George Steck, and Hobart M. Cable brand names. These lines are technically similar and are differentiated mostly by their cabinet styles. Most of the models have a solid spruce soundboard, slow-close fallboard, cast pedals, and maple trapwork. In addition, an upscale Falcone Georgian (FG) series includes such features as Abel hammers on grands 5' 4" and larger, upgraded soundboard material, bubinga veneer on the inside of the grand rim, real ebony sharps, and gold-plated hardware.

The first pianos from Sejung were sold in the U.S. in fall 2002, less than one year after production began. A number of their first offerings were examined by technicians, and although still a little rough, they were definitely satisfactory, and remarkably good for such a new company. Since then, the factory has grown to become one of China's largest exporters of musical instruments, production has been refined, and quality has improved. After proper regulation and tuning, the pianos offer good value in an entry-level instrument. The 4' 8" grand and the continental console are most appropriate for those buyers whose primary considerations are price or appearance.

For model and price information, see under Sejung in the "Model & Pricing Guide."

Warranty: 12 years on parts, 10 years on labor, to original purchaser.