Oscar Steinbach piano,need info.

[lhommearme]

I have just picked up an Oscar Steinbach piano today.It is a console and it was free.Made in 64 here in St.Louis I think.Cant find any info on the net,wich is surprising to me.Any info would be great.serial # is 523804.Mannhattan model.

[silverwoodpianos]

This name appears in the atlas for more than 5 companies from Canada, England, and the US. Not much information for O. Steinbach, although there is a connection to B. Drehers & Sons in Cleveland, made by Krakauer. Around 1900 the name changed to Dreher and after 1916 these instruments were made by Aeolian.

Aeolian was a large corporation that bought up a lot of piano names and assets during the early part of the last century.

If you have a technician pull the action out sometimes there is a date written in pencil on the back when the action/keyboard was installed. Some signed their work and others did not. You might get lucky there….

[lhommearme]

Thanks,this is something to go on.I know it was built in 64.I have taken it apart and will check and see.Thanks mate.

[silverwoodpianos]

Very good...check also under the key set; when I was doing action/keyboard install in the factory  sometimes I would write the geometry and date underneath the key set on the key bed.

[lhommearme]

Nothing under the keys in the keybed but 47 years of dust.Dust was as thick or thicker than the key punchings.I have the original price tag and it says oscar steinbach mfg. co. St.louis MO. I live here in St. louis.Was looking for a little info on the company history and things I can talk about when people have questions.Also two bas strings are broke at the hitchpin loop.Is it possible to make a new hitchpin loop and splice it to the string?

[silverwoodpianos]

Now you might be able to go to the local library archives or City hall archives to find some business registry docs on that company. Maybe even the local patent sub- office or the US patent registry if you come across a patent number.

On the back of the action all of the moving parts are attached to wooden rails. There may be writings on there….maybe on the side of the end key too…..

Hitch pin loop broken? That is a tough one…..most of them are the English loop consisting of three turns by twisting and then a collar that goes around three times….if you are lucky and have tools and a small vice you might be able to remove the broken side. With what is left maybe make a German loop or facsimile but usually there is not enough tail left to do a proper one….

Think about this; you are going to have the instrument tuned. Maybe book a tuning and let the techie know about the broken strings. The service person may want to drop by first and pick up the broken ones for replacements. Then when the strings arrive return and install and tune up….

[albrun]

The Oscar Steinbach factory was on Union Blvd in North St Louis, probably in Walnut Park. I went there with my family in 1957. We had a tour of the shop and explanations of the different actions that were available. We reserved a spinet, and it was delivered several weeks later. I believe it cost $550.

I still own the piano, though it's out on permanent loan to a friend whose son is taking lessons.

It's in good condition, though I did have to have the plastic components of the action replaced in the 80s. The technician said that this was typical.

If you find out in the city records anything more about the company, please post it. I'll try to locate the documentation for the piano -- it's around somewhere -- and that should at least have the exact address.

I hope you get much pleasure from the instrument. I'm glad to know there are still some of them around.

[albrun]

Here's some information about Oscar Steinbach from James Grebe, who's a piano technician in St Louis:

"Steinbach was a local dealer who in his latter years bought Gulbransen piano, and sold them under his name. Before that he used Kohler & Campbell pianos.   It was said that he enhancexd them  but all that I have seen were regular Gulbransen pianos with his name on them  He sold many to Catholic churches and schools.  Although I began in the piano business in 1962 I never got by his place.  Evidently he did not have sons to carry on his business.  All Gulbransen pianos of the mid 50's or so came with plastic action parts and once they are replaced function very well.  There are many Steinbach pianos in St. Louis only.  Gulbransen was a decent lower cost piano and was  the brand that I learned to tune on when I learned in 1962 from Clarence  Trump, who owned PianoLand (formelry Kieselhorst) on Clayton Rd ."

[lhommearme]

Thanks for the info alburn.I have regulated and tuned it.Had to do a pitch raise since it was half step flat.Bridle straps need replacing and some felts replaced on the action.It plays well and a good deal since I got it for free.What plastic parts are you refering to on the action?