Randy; I am not challenging you or defending anyone, just some comments on Steinway the marque, vs Steinway the piano. I feel that properly constructed, regulated,tuned and voiced, there is no finer instrument in the world than the Steinway Grand. (Their verticals are a different matter altogether.) I, as yet, have had limited experience with the Boston marque and the remarks do not apply from my perspective. The mystique and well deserved praise arise from instruments that have been given proper attention and care for whatever circumstance they find themselves placed in. However the run of the mill instrument, as shipped from the factory, does not approach these standards nor, perhaps, should they be expected to. The typical Steinway as received by the typical dealer is nowhere near the finished product that say the Yamaha is. I am not comparing the two instruments just commenting on readiness as they come on the floor. Case in point; Several years ago a well known hotel chain opened a new facility here. Their initial instrument purchase was for five Steinway grands, three of these grands were unacceptable for reasons such as, extremely uneven voicing, very stiff and sluggish actions, action centers mispinned, hammers not traveled well, bad i.e. very poor finish touchup, cracks and pressure ridges(outside of the ordinary), etc. As this situation called for obvious warranty work Steinway finally complied with repeated requests, and I believe replaced two of the instruments and rebuilt/replaced the action of a third. I think that in situations like I have described lies the perception that Steinway is but a shadow of its former self. I also have been to the factory and delight in the knowledge that in every Steinway lies a potential of greatness. In my experience The instrument on the sales floor is not the instrument in the home or the concert hall. When given proper attention Steinway lives up to its reputation. Sad to say however we remember the dogs that should have been stillborn at the factory.
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