Will this Steinway be too big - genuine query?

[seb1982]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this site, and I'm afraid I'm diving straight in with a question that could result in lots of pie-flinging  - I genuinely don't want to start an argument!   

So, I'm finally in a position to replace my beautiful 1969 5'6" Bechstein Model L.  It's a wonderful piano in its own way, and it's given me nearly 15 years of joy; but while some people hear its clear, pure, European (whatever that means) tone, I'm really missing the "colour" and "thickness" of a Steinway sound.  I'm including an image of my current Bechstein because its on my desktop anyway, and it'll give you all a better idea of my tiny front room!

Anyway, in my heart of hearts, I've always wanted a Steinway.  I had a look at some model 'S's, both Hamburg and NY, old and modern, and with the best will in the world, they're just too small to sound good.  For their size, they're remarkable, but ... well, you know!

A new Steinway is completely out of my price bracket, but I've found a 1920s Steinway 5'10" Model 'O' which has been rebuilt by a Steinway Agent here in the UK with proper Steinway parts.  It has the original soundboard, but a brand new action.  It's a delight to play, and the tone is pure "Golden Era" Steinway.  I love it!  Probably due to its age, it's significantly less punchy than, say, a modern NY Model 'M' that I played, but I still think it's a fair bit louder than my Bechstein.

Living in the UK as I do, we have absolutely TINY rooms!  My room is 11 feet x 18 feet, and the ceiling is 7.5 feet high.  As you can see, it's fully carpeted and there are also couple of sofas, a rug and curtains there to soak up the sound- it's far from minimalist!

Do you think this piano would be controllable in such a small room?  I don't want to feel constantly restrained when I'm playing it, but I really don't want to go any smaller if I can help it - I don't want to lose the tingle in my "gentleman's area" that the rich bass gives me!   

Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated!  I remember banging away on Model Bs in tiny practise rooms at music college and not thinking twice about it, but that was years ago, and things are a bit different in your own home!

Oh, I'll also attach a picture of the Steinway as well - I just love looking at it!

Thanks ever so much, everyone.  Happy practising!   

[iansinclair]

No reason at all why it shouldn't be just fine.  11 by 18 feet isn't really all that small (my A is in a room which is about 15 by 30), and with the various sound absorbers you have it should be quite controllable.  You may find, though, that you want to practice with the top down rather than up, but you will figure that out when you get it in there.

The bottom line is that you like the sound and you like the way it plays -- and that's what's really important!

[hfmadopter]

Millers are considered by many technicians as the poor mans Steinway. Construction, sound and volume are similar in corresponding sizes ( Steinway still has that little extra tone though) . I have a 5'11" Miller in a room just slightly larger than yours with no carpet. With the top fully up I can blow my ears depending on how the piano is situated. That's with me playing alone in the room but get a crowd of people in there and the first thing I do is put the top up. People absorb sound as much as hanging tapestry. So now I have the piano on one end, with the top up the sound projects out to the other end of the room. I mostly play with the top up on the short stick though or with the top down for practice. It's quite controllable but capable of that ear splitting volume too.

I should add that the ear slitting sound is when I lay into the keys. That combined with my aging ears mostly. The resonance is something to feel first hand though !! I love it and it can be controlled even more with carpets and tapestries.

I don't think you will have a problem.
David

[withindale]

I agree with Ian and David.

Make sure the action is well regulated so you can easily play with the dynamic range that suits the room.

Good luck.

[seb1982]

Thank you very much for these thoughtful replies.  Thinking about it, I mostly play with the lid up on the Bechstein, so playing with the lid closed on the Steinway will probably be a similar volume - I must remember to try it when I have another few hours in the showroom!

I'm also considering purchasing a cover for the piano (I can already tell I'm going to be annoyingly protective of it!) - I doubt I'll bother to take it off completely when I'm in there on my own, which will probably help further reduce any ear-splitting tendencies!

The action is indeed beautifully regulated - it's one of the main reasons I'm so tempted by it.  The first piece I played on it was the Op.10 No.3 E major Chopin Etude, and I was *amazed* at how quiet I could make the accompanying tenor line, and then let rip with a huge, rich sound in the bravura passage.

Well, the salesman is hopefully going to phone back with a prospective part exchange deal in the next few days.  We'll see what happens and I'll keep you posted.

It's such fun choosing a piano - it's real shame you only get to do it a very few times in your life - it's like moving house!

My sincere thanks again, everyone 

[hfmadopter]

Thank you very much for these thoughtful replies.  Thinking about it, I mostly play with the lid up on the Bechstein, so playing with the lid closed on the Steinway will probably be a similar volume - I must remember to try it when I have another few hours in the showroom!

When I play with the top closed on my Miller it changes the sound a bit. It's not just that it's less loud but also more muffled, a bit less bright ( it's voiced fairly warm anyway). I really like the sound of it best in my room with the top up on the low prop stick. When I'm home alone or if there are just a couple of people listening in on me and I'm ready with a piece that's really in my hand, that's my choice top position. I close the top for practicing new pieces but lately actually I've been using the digital for that. Top fully up for a Holiday gathering and we have 20 or 25 people in the house.

Just thought I'd mention that.