Problems with new Steinways

[David Ilvedson]

Alan, 

Get serious...

"Don't believe everything you think."

>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"

Of course they will have a Chinese made Boston, but Steinway won't be going out of business anytime soon.   They sell everything they make.

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044


----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Alan R. Barnard" <tune4u at earthlink.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 12/3/2006 2:01:25 PM
Subject: RE: Problems with new Steinways


>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."