[pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts

[Alan Eder]

Dale,

Client: I am told that if it doesn't have Genuine Steinway parts in the action its not a Steinway. Do you use them?
.. and let's not forget that hammer shanks and flanges and wippens made by Renner WERE original equipment on certain vintages of New York Steinways (but only on their their two largest, flagship models, the ones found on concert stages :-).


Alan Eder



-----Original Message-----
From: Dale Erwin <erwinspiano at aol.com>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tue, May 1, 2012 7:31 am
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts


 Hey Will
 Ok then, two can play that game. If irrational and illogical arguments continue to foment from marketing execs there on the mother ship, they must expect statements refuting such nonsense from those whose intelligence they insult.
 Client:  Why don't you make your Soundboards the way Steinway does.
 Rebuilder: I prefer to produce a product that performs at a higher level than that.........or
 Rebuilder: As a small rebuilding shop owner, I can't risk  having even one such unpredictable outcome.
   But if you want one made that way I can do it for you.
Client: If you install a slightly different sound board design will it still be a Steinway?
 Rebuilder:  My goal is to enhance the best qualities of the Steinway design. To focus the tonal color and range of each section of the piano. Wouldn't that be important to you?
Client: The dealer said only the factory knows how to install sound boards in their pianos.
Rebuilder:  Belly work is a complex woodworking project done by skilled artisan. Does Steinway have the market cornered on these people?
Client: I am told that if it doesn't have Genuine Steinway parts in the action its not a Steinway. Do you use them?
Rebuilder: There are many fine parts made in the world today that work exceptionally well in Steinway pianos of all vintages. We use the parts that work & fit the geometry requirements of your pianos action.
 I have used the hammers on occasion or by request. The problem is the parts are expensive and historically, in my experience, the quality erratic. 
  The hammers historically inconsistent. The voicing process is difficult and more expensive, but if this is important to you and you don't mind the extra expense we can use factory parts.

 Ok enough said. They have their market to protect we have ours. Their marketing by nature is adversarial......
 I wish them well anyway. 
  I'm not sure the corporate feeling is mutual.

 Dale


Dale Erwin... RPT
 Mason & Hamlin/Steinway/U.S pianos
www.Erwinspiano.com
209-577-8397

 
  


From: Encore Pianos <encorepianos at metrocast.net>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tue, May 1, 2012 2:43 am
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts



You mean their, “Though shalt worship only one Piano God, and that is STEINWAY” marketing?  
 
Will
 
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Dale Erwin
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 1:32 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts
 
  


  But Paul
   Steinway disrespects rebuilders (us) all the time with the disingenuous, pedantic and illogical marketing  statements.
Dale


 

My point is this: (no disrespect to Steinway, or any other piano maker for that matter):  How do you document everything one uses in a total rebuild??  It's pret-near impossible!  What lubricants did you use for whatever, what cleaners did you use, what polishes did you use for such, where did the wood for whatever part come from, the glue, the vacuum cleaner to clean up the dust, and so on… even the tools??. Where does one draw the line?  I suppose all this customer really wants to know is if the actual parts are "authentic" Steinway…Who knows where that customer draws the line??? 

 

I say if one gets to this point:  Just go buy a new one then! :>) They'd be happy to oblige! 

 

Paul

 

 

From: Paul Williams <pwilliams4 at unl.edu>
Reply-To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:51:27 +0000
To: "pianotech at ptg.org" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts

 


I guess you might suggest that the parts are either geniune Steinway, or Steinway "approved" parts!  Could that have made a difference? ….or do these people need to see the parts boxes "sanitized for your protection" lables saying "genuine Steinway parts"???

 

Paul

 

 

From: Ed Foote <a440a at aol.com>
Reply-To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:38:40 -0400
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts

 

 


 Dale Erwin
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 11:25 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts

 


Hi Guys
   Well it finally happened, a prospective client who was scheduled to see a very nice Steinway B we have for sale and declined  to even come see it because she spoke with the dealer and learned how non ge-u-whine parts degrades the piano. Its not s a Steinway anymore!  

 

Greetings, 

      I can only suggest speaking what is inarguably  true, ie, that in your opinion,  the customer has been led astray by a marketing ploy that doesn't have much basis in reality.  If that message were delivered in the proper spirit, then the customer will either reconsider or not, but whatever happens, it will be the optimum result for you.  

      Perhaps it is better, Dale, that you didn't sell your piano to a stupid customer.  The universe rewards us with good luck wrapped in a lesson, and sometimes all it takes is a little time to open it up.  

 

Regards, 

Ed Foote RPT






 
 
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