Problems with new Steinways

[Avery]

Hey, Alan. Now tell us what you REALLY think! :-D Unfortunately, 
mostly, I can't disagree much with you! Except for isolated cases.

Avery

At 04:01 PM 12/3/2006, you wrote:
>I will NOT recommend new Steinways to any customer without some 
>serious discussion.
>
>The Steinway is a piano. It is ONLY a piano. It is a very well 
>designed piano. It can be a great sounding piano. It can be a great 
>playing piano. It has (had) a great reputation.
>
>It is ABSURDLY overpriced. It is priced as a luxury item, like 
>Cadillacs. And the only REAL added value in a luxury item is luxury 
>service. But they want to sell Cadillac pianos and provide Yugo service.
>
>It's bad enough that they are so often snotty and arrogant with 
>techs, but they also disrespect their customers. This is beyond inexcusable.
>
>And, by the way, have there been any real Steinway design changes or 
>innovations in the last 50 years that weren't unmitigated disasters?
>
>No company can ride on its reputation forever. I give Steinway 10 
>years and they'll either be out of business or limited to selling 
>Chinese-made pianos cheap. "Introducing the all-new 2012 Boston Steinway LX"
>
>How come smart business people are so often so stupid????????? And 
>are there any actual piano people still working for S&S? Seems like 
>they are 90% marketing (hype and BS, largely) and 10 percent 
>manufacturing. Engineering? Quality Control? Apparently, not much.
>
>Have they EVER listened to comments, advice, complaints, or ideas 
>from those of us in the trenches--let alone modify a design, no 
>matter how flawed (M backscales, anyone?)????? Yamaha heard us on 
>the GA-1 and now we have the GB-1 with is vastly improved tenor 
>scale. Steinway, I fear ONLY listens to the musical tones of tinkling cash.
>
>The decline of the American automobile industry might have served as 
>a real warning, had they been watching. Go Toyota! Go Kawai!
>
>How's THAT for a rant? Love and joy to all ...
>
>Alan Barnard
>Salem, MO
>
>"Don't believe everything you think."
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20061203/bd54babc/attachment.html