improvements

[John Musselwhite]

At 08:12 PM 02/05/02 -0700, Dave wrote:

>>Why is it that the only news from Steinway has been about new looks?  New 
>>furniture around the same old scales.  The picture on this month's cover 
>>is impressive, but it's the same old "D" inside.  Have they really 
>>already attained perfection?  Inquiring minds want to know.
>
>There have been a few mostly negative replies to this but I thought I'd 
>jump in anyway. First, Kevin replied to Dave:
>
>>Dave; I would be very surprised if Steinway ever even attempted any 
>>improvements.
>
>Be prepared to be surprised, Kevin. While some disparaged the Teflon 
>Bushing as the last major "improvement" remember that it was eventually 
>replaced with the Teflon II bushing making that one more recent. Also, 
>don't forget that the actions were changed in 1984 to the new "Improved" 
>parts. The last major production improvement of which I'm aware is the 
>change in the plate design in the model B that took place in the early 
>1990s but there have probably been others, though some of the 
>"improvements" have been questioned by some techs.
>
>Steinway has also taken out recent patents for new improvements on their 
>pianos such as the sostenuto and for Scott Jones' escapement action so 
>obviously there is some sort of R&D going on in addition to the fancy 
>cases and veneers you see in the advertising.
>
>As far as things like the scales, the Diaphragmatic Soundboard and the 
>tubular action rails go, those are what might be considered "sacred 
>traditions" that set the Steinway apart from other pianos, just as the 
>torsion spider on the M&H sets it apart.  I would guess that these things 
>are set in stone and will never change as long as there is a demand for 
>their instruments.
>
>
>>replacing. So, instead, they're going to go for what works in the market, 
>>name brand recognition. As far as I can tell, that's the main thing they 
>>have going for them, so they rely on that.
>
>I think that's a bit harsh, actually. Maybe I don't see as many Steinways 
>as other techs since I have about 50 S&S pianos I care for regularly that 
>date from the 1860s to 1999.  But despite all their quirks and faults 
>they're still interesting instruments that if nothing else provide the 
>rebuilder (or technician) a solid and familiar (one might say "standard") 
>base on which to start working.
>
>>I've seen quite a few "dogs" with the Steinway name on the fallboard, and 
>>to be honest, some truly wonderful instruments too. I guess it depends on 
>>what day of the week it was built.
>
>While it may seem like some were built in a day, it takes a little longer 
>than that. I've seen a lot of  S&S "dogs" too, some of which were 
>pronounced so by very experienced technicians in major centres. I've seen 
>some of those turn into "Superdogs" with a little care too.
>
>>     If they were interested in making a piano that was easier to work 
>> on, how about getting rid of that antique sostenuto system that they use?
>
>See US patent 6,020,544 Jones , et al. February 1, 2000 .
>
>>I don't think they could get burned by going to a more modern design, 
>>say, one that's only been in use for fifty or so years, do you?
>
>They hold the patent on the original design for their current sostenuto. 
>It wouldn't have been traditional to change it unless it was to their own 
>patented design. Now that they have one it's only a matter of time.
>
>Personally, I kind-of like the old design with its quirks just as I like 
>the tubular action rails and the rep spring adjustments. I'm sure there'll 
>be more than enough around in the future to satisfy that weird attraction 
>and I won't weep for the old sostenuto when its gone.
>
>Finally, I don't think you'll ever see Steinway do anything other than 
>give "improvements" a minor mention in most publicity, nor will you see 
>major changes to existing scales or other S&S peculiarities. For good or 
>bad, these are the things that set the Steinway piano apart from any other 
>piano made in the world. Why would they change it? To make *us* happy?
>
>                 John

John Musselwhite, RPT    -     Calgary, Alberta Canada
http://www.musselwhite.com  http://canadianpianopage.com/calgary
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