Steinway certification for rebuilders?

[Brian Trout]

Hi,

I suspect it's just a fancy way of saying it was rebuilt with only Steinway
parts.  And if that's a concern to the customer, that's fine.  If it had a
new soundboard, it would have had to be done at S&S, because (to my
knowledge), no one else can put in a new "Steinway Diaphragmatic
Soundboard".  And I believe they still put the little sticker on the
soundboard up at the very top of the treble end.  If it had new action
parts, I would suppose they are also true S&S parts.

I do believe that S&S does put a certain level of backing behind it's
dealers to do work that would be considered proper and appropriate for
maintenance of their good name.  (And not void the warranty.)  But I don't
know that the term "certified" carries much weight beyond the sales hype
surrounding the typical Steinway sale.  I would think terms like "authorized
service center" might be more meaningful.  Or perhaps another term that
would indicate that an entity such as a dealer could do work on behalf of
S&S.  As long as work is done with Steinway parts, and according to Steinway
standard procedures, I don't know that Steinway has a problem with any
technician anywhere.  But certified??  I've never heard the term used in
this way.  But who's to say?

It all makes for a wonderful sales speech.  And to some there is value in
maintaining a Steinway with genuine Steinway parts through and through.  I
can't fault anyone who wishes to maintain this line of thought as their
personal belief.

That being said, I don't have a problem with parts other than genuine S&S.
I believe that you'll find a number of people who make very high quality
soundboard panels.  Ask Willis Snyder.  (He makes his own, and I wouldn't
consider them to be in any way inferior to Steinway's.)  Many believe that
Renner action parts are the best.  If they're every bit as good as S&S
parts, or better, I have no problem with a technician using them.  Much
depends upon what is expected of an instrument.  Is it a showpiece?  Is it
an investment?  Is it a musical instrument for a non-advanced piano player?
(no disrespect intended)  Is it a musical instrument for a serious piano
artist or for public performance?

I can't say what's right, because what seems best to me, might not be best
for you.  I'd put a non-Steinway board in, Renner action parts, and perhaps
Steinway hammers.  That would be my personal choice.  Others might make the
decision to put in only genuine Steinway parts.  Others might choose parts
from Tokiwa or Able or a number of other companies.  The point is, none of
us are wrong.  Perhaps the right answers exist between the piano owner and
their technician.

Sorry, I just can't seem to write a short post...

Best to you,

Brian Trout
Quarryville, PA
btrout@desupernet.net

----- Original Message -----
From: J. Kehe <fortep@ameritech.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, October 01, 1999 3:54 PM
Subject: Steinway certification for rebuilders?


> I have a client who is considering purchasing a rebuilt Steinway from a
> dealer in
> Arkansas. She was told the name of the rebuilder and that the rebuild
> was Steinway certified. I was not aware that Steinway certified
> rebuilders outside of their own rebuilding facility. 2 questions: Does
> Steinway certify rebuilders? Can a local Steinway dealer claim that a
> rebuilder with whom they have a working relationship is Steinway
> certified?
>
> Regards,
> j. kehe
> piano craftsman
> chicago
>
>