The "good" Steinway

[thalberg]

Skepto's Bosendorfer thread got me thinking about my experience with my Steinway B.

As many of you know, I was unhappy with it in the end.

The fact was, none of the ones in the selection room had the sound I wanted.  (Why are there so many bad ones? )

Lately, I ran across a piano that has the exact sound I want.  I love it,  no question.  But the legs and music rack are slightly carved for decoration, which adds $30,000 to the price tag.

So....to Fiore and whatever other technicians are here.....how do I find out why that piano sounds like it does, and how do I get one like it?

(I should add that this same store had a piano with an identical sound 8 years ago but I didn't have the cash....not that I do now either.  The point is that perhaps there's some particular technician who knows how to make them sound like that....?)

[daniloperusina]

Part of the sound is not adjustable, ie soundboard construction/shape etc. Other parts are. They include hammer shape, hardness & weight, and some little adjustments like distance to string at rest (blow-distance), at full depression of the key (let-off distance). These things do affect the sound quite a lot, and can certainly be what makes one like it or not.

Why don't you bring a technician to the store and ask him to have a look at that piano, then to have a look at yours? If he's not allowed to tinker with their piano, at least he could get a good idea of what sound you like, and if it's possible to adjust your's to something similar.

I know from my own tinkering with a Steinway that a change of even one millimeter in those distances makes a huge difference in the sound, not to mention what you can achieve by filing, needling, doping or even changing the hammers.

When you go to a store, you try not only a brand new Steinway, but also the specific preparatory adjustments that their own technician have made. The logic conclusion is of course that that particular technician is the one you should talk to!

[matterintospirit]

 i am going through some B problems . i'm frustrated with the new B i bought two years ago. I fell in love with it (not the price---8 more years to pay.) has an extremrly rich tone, but after playing on it for two years it seems to be lacking something--can't put my finger on it. the head technician from the dealership is coming in a few days to look at the action. noticed recently that the repeat is very sluggish. ironically i really became aware of it after encouraging a student of mine to purchase a boston, and having played on it, realizing that the action felt better!much better repeat action. also was at the Steinway dealership the other day and played a new B. sounded like a hamburg B---awesome-- and seemed that the factory prep was extensive. maybe they are reacting to all the bad press and cleaning up their act a bit? maybe my piano needs voicing? maybe action problems affect tone? don't know much about the technical aspects of piano(as i should!)any feedback?

[thalberg]

i am going through some B problems . i'm frustrated with the new B i bought two years ago. I fell in love with it (not the price---8 more years to pay.) has an extremrly rich tone, but after playing on it for two years it seems to be lacking something--can't put my finger on it. the head technician from the dealership is coming in a few days to look at the action. noticed recently that the repeat is very sluggish. ironically i really became aware of it after encouraging a student of mine to purchase a boston, and having played on it, realizing that the action felt better!much better repeat action. also was at the Steinway dealership the other day and played a new B. sounded like a hamburg B---awesome-- and seemed that the factory prep was extensive. maybe they are reacting to all the bad press and cleaning up their act a bit? maybe my piano needs voicing? maybe action problems affect tone? don't know much about the technical aspects of piano(as i should!)any feedback?

You need some good responses to this.  If I were you, I'd cut and paste and start a new thread.  Then some of the good piano techs around here will see this and help you out.

[matterintospirit]

thnx---how do i start a new thread?

[thalberg]

Go to the Instruments board and click "new topic" then put your issue into the subject part and your other stuff in the body.