[CAUT] Steinway sound

[Paul T Williams]

Ahhh! Salesmen!  I had to shut my mouth many times while actually an 
employee of a certain piano dealer.  Wow! I hated that...especially when 
tuning at those huge "tent/warehouse" sales.  All I wanted to tell the 
potential customer was, "Run away, run away!!" Of course, after learning 
the "inside business" of the business" I ran away.....quickly!!

"You'll love this beautiful 'antique' grand....with a couple of 
tunings...it'll last another 80 years!!"

Paul




From:
Dale Erwin <erwinspiano at aol.com>
To:
caut at ptg.org
Date:
03/07/2011 01:30 PM
Subject:
Re: [CAUT] Steinway sound



I find smoke and mirrors very entertaining,...possibly illusionary...  :) 


Dale S. Erwin
www.Erwinspiano.com
Custom restoration
Ronsen Piano hammers
Join the Weickert felt Revolution
209-577-8397
209-985-0990




-----Original Message-----
From: Jeannie Grassi <jcgrassi at earthlink.net>
To: Ed Sutton <ed440 at mindspring.com>; caut at ptg.org
Sent: Mon, Mar 7, 2011 11:22 am
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Steinway sound

And I heard a Steinway salesman who was attempting to sell an 1890s K with 
all, I mean all, original parts say,   "Now that's the true Steinway 
touch!" 
Just sayin..... : :>)

jeannie

On Feb 28, 2011, at 8:14 AM, Ed Sutton wrote:

For what it's worth, here is another question:
 
David Stanwood's Touchweight Metrology formulas (ca. 1995) have brought 
about a revolution (or evolutionary change) in action rebuilding, 
including, I think it's fair to say, a small cottage industry in 
redesigning Steinway actions.
 
Is anyone complaining that these instruments "Don't have the Steinway 
touch?"
 
(I have heard a Steinway trained salesman say "If you want the Steinway 
touch, you've got to have a genuine Steinway!")
 
Ed Sutton
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Dale Erwin
To: caut at ptg.org
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 10:58 AM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Steinway sound

   I'm good with this statement Horace. 
  In my own practice I have been trying in most cases to not deviate to 
far from the core tonal expectations for several reasons.
1.  I like the basic Steinway sound at its best, & so do many ears
2. I'm conservative with my clients pianos again trying to enhance the 
best components of the tone.
3. Redesigning the piano too much can influence its marketability in the 
minds of some.  For others they would find it a plus to own a Hot Rod so 
to speak. Hey, different strokes.

 I personally prefer to judge the piano by its sound not the design. That 
is..... what pianist do. They don't look under the hood. 
  Heres the question. What constitutes a redesign?  Most guys out in small 
shops are not compression crowning there boards but  crowning the ribs to 
some degree to support crown. Drying the board far less. Neither is a 
Steinway parameter. This is our primary deviation. Do these pianos sound 
like Steinways? It doesn't matter what I think if the client likes them.
 
So here is an opportunity to see my The Erwin & Sons Re- manufactured 
1930s Steinway B Hot Rod on display if you'll are coming to the WEST-PACS. 
in S.F. next week.  It will be there in the hall and in the Ronsen Class 
room.
  Dale 

 
> 
> In any event, I very much like Brent's concept of complimenting > 
whatever design might exist "without alienating the core tonal > 
expectations..."; and working in smaller venues while new designs > are 
tested more thoroughly to see what does and does not stand up > to 
performance needs and expectations. That is a very wide field > of tone 
and response to explore, with tremendous room for > variation; and, as 
Brent notes, no one's career or reputation winds > up on the line. 
> 
> Developing things along these kinds of lines sounds to me like > 
everyone wins...and that qualifies as a Very Good Thing. 
> 
> Best. 
> 
> Horace 
> 
> 



= 

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