[CAUT] Steinway selection trip

[Donald McKechnie]

Kent,

I have been involved in three trips to the factory for selection. I  
echo Ed's advice and also encourage you to talk to the factory folks  
to see if you can come in early before everyone else arrives. All  
three times I was allowed to stop by the factory before the arrival of  
the professors. Having the time, without distractions, to look at the  
pianos is important. When asked by the professors which one I liked I  
would always say "I'll tell you later when you start to narrow down  
the choices." I'm happy to say that in each visit my choices were  
pretty much on par with the professors.

During the breaks in the selection process, we moved the pianos to  
different positions in the room to see if the professors could still  
find the ones they liked. Most of the time they did but sometimes  
there can be surprising differences in sound and tone. They now have a  
little toy in the selection room that can alter the acoustics to  
mirror a small concert hall, a larger hall, a very large cathedral  
like space, etc. It is fun to play with but I'm not sure it helps very  
much in the final selection. All in all a great educational experience  
and fun too.

Regards,
Don

Don McKechnie
Piano Technician
Ithaca College
dmckech at ithaca.edu
607.274.3908

> From: Ed Foote <a440a at aol.com>
> Date: January 22, 2011 4:53:32 PM EST
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Steinway selection trip
> Reply-To: caut at ptg.org
>
>
> >>It appears I may be going along to choose a D and 2 B's in February.
>
> What should I know about? Answer privately if you like.
>
> Kent Swafford
>
>
> Greetings,
> As a tech, if it came down to a choice between two pianos,(let the  
> pianist decide which ones they like, first),
> I would take a look at the clues for ease of maintenance, as in, are  
> the shanks over the cushions?  Can you "see"
> through the action?  Is the trapwork lined up, or as is not  
> uncommon, all slightly askew?  How many front pins
> are nicked?  how many punchings are there under the felts?
> Some of the hard to deal with things down the road can be sensed  
> early on, and overall alignment is one of them.
> The evenness of the let-off buttons will give an indication of how  
> consistent the whippens and shanks are.
>    As far as sound, I have learned to be suspicious of overly  
> bright, new pianos.  I have to remind myself to listen
> objectively to the fifth octave almost as a stand-alone voice, since  
> I usually try to accomodate the rest of the piano
> with that octave's nature.  Some boards simply boom up there, others  
> seem to be straining to get much out.
>    I don't know what the reception is for a tech  showing up with a  
> screwdriver in hand and gleam in eye,
> but Kent, I am sure you will be able to get a look inside the  
> finalists, otherwise, why be there?  You may
> be inheriting some responsibility by being in the selection process,  
> so I recommend as close a look at them as
> allowable.
> Regards,
> Ed Foote RPT




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