Neo-Bechstein

The design belonged to a newer generation of electric pianos that eliminated the presence of any sound board.

Smaller than the dimensions of an ordinary grand piano, the Neo-Bechstein measured about 1.4 metres (4 ft 7 in) in length and belonged to a newer generation of electric pianos that eliminated the presence of any sound board. Thinner and shorter strings were grouped into 18 clusters of 5 strings each. The clusters all converged towards a pickup followed by a membrane-less microphone. The oscillations were correspondingly transformed into electrical signals in a varying alternating current, which was made to pass through an adjustable electronic circuit comprising electron tubes, capacitors, resistors, etc., that acted as a filter. The filtered signal was then amplified with a three-tube valve amplifier and broadcast through a pre-built loudspeaker. The absence of a sound board and its substitution by electric amplification also meant a lighter framework and a lighter hammer action, which troubled conventional piano players. This led to the usage of usual-sized hammers which struck a rail and which in turn drove a much smaller micro-hammer into the string itself. The micro hammers were invented by Hans Driescher, an employee of Nernst. The instrument had two pedals. The right pedal acted upon the amplifier and controlled the volume levels, which – coupled with the increased sustenance power of the instrument due to its lack of a sound board – gave rise to organ-like expressive possibilities. The left pedal generated either "cembalo" or "celesta" sound. The instrument also had a speaker-cabinet fitted with a radio and a phonograph.