heavy Steinway action

[BobDavis88@aol.com]

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In a message dated 6/3/2003 10:58:16 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
joegarrett@earthlink.net writes:

> Do they want us to "Re-what-ever" any of their pianos? Not no, Hell
> no! (and this applies to all manufacturers) They are in the business to
> make/sell pianos. The more that are condemmed and trashed, the happier they
> will be.

That was true some years back. I have heard it from the Lips of Bigwigs. I 
have had a number of conversations with said Bigwigs, pointing out the 
short-sightedness of such a policy, and I'm not the only one. Such a policy assumes 
that there is room for a fixed number of [insert make here], which is just not 
true. There is an expanding population base, at their best they are still 
competitive at the highest musical levels, and they are made in very limited 
numbers. 

The factory itself rebuilds 300 Steinways a year. Well-rebuilt Steinways 
enhance their reputation for longevity of performance, and make even the new ones 
more desirable. One reasonable objection the company had in the past was that 
they had no control over the quality of rebuilding "out there," and there was 
much re-whatevering that did not even come CLOSE to factory standards. They 
felt that this did not represent the marque well. This is one reason for the 
expansion of their educational programs. I think there is a lot more rebuilding 
and service out there now that meets or exceeds those standards (although still 
not everywhere), and I have even seen suggestions from field technicians 
taken back to the factory to go into production instruments.

I don't agree that the factory is cavalier. I mildly or seriously disagree 
with them on occasion like everyone else, but I can't tell you the amount of 
invaluable, cheerful help they have given me. It's true they are slow to change, 
but there are reasons for this, some good and some bad. Their reluctance to 
change does not necessarily equal deaf-eared stonewalling. I don't think we owe 
them reverence, but a certain amount of respect for what they have 
accomplished, and are trying to accomplish, is reasonable, and certainly conducive to 
two-way conversation. I think that even their choice of Directors of Education 
(Scott Jones, John Patton, Eric Schandall) speaks volumes about the factory's 
desire to communicate with us in the field. I have the highest regard for their 
technical ability, but more important, their friendly attitude and obvious 
ability, and desire, to teach.

I don't intend to stop criticizing the factory, but the larger my skill set 
becomes, the more respect, rather than less, I have for them.

Bob D

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