problems with my steinway B----help!

[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?

[amelialw]

are you cleaning your piano and wiping off the dust regularly? that might be the cause...I always use a soft cloth to wipe off all the dust on the outside and inside of my piano

[matterintospirit]

it's clean.

[nasalstein]

sluggish repeat....
if you noticed it rather suddenly, its likely that key bushing has beccome too tight due to humid air.
or other regulation problem i think.
....... or you tend to skip practicing lately? 

[jlh]

... after playing on it for two years it seems to be lacking something--can't put my finger on it.

Did you try and lift up the key cover?   

[invictious]

I think it's the maintenance problem. Have you checked your dehumidifier, cleaned it regularly etc?

[matterintospirit]

thnx all. piano tech came over and adjusted the springs and some other things.said after 2 years breaking in, action(speings need to be readjusted. sounds like a different instrument---it'a a miracle! this guy knows his stuff. works with all the big name pianists who  perform at the Kimmel Center here in Philadelphia--preps their concert grands.just as point of interest, i discussed with with this  tech(specializes in S&S), the situation with Steinway not doing much prep on the pianos before shipped to dealers, and dealers just selling them out of the crate. he said the reason is not what most people think. the average steinway consumer thinks it sounds fine the way it is, and professional musicians are never quite happy with the sound of their piano no matter what steinway would do to it. another reliable source told me, not sure if true, that Steinway alots 1200.00 to the dealership to prep each piano and the dealerships tend to pocket the $$.
The best thing to do is if you pick through a bunch, and find a good one, just leave a deposit, and request that you want the action, voicing etc. preped to your satisfaction and work with the in house tech untill it's right.

[buick8]

My alma m got a new B a few years ago as a donation ( an alum gave the cost); my tech says it had problems when new: at least 1 loose tuning pin and partially restrung in attempts to correct. this would be most distressing to me, esp. considering what it cost.