[pianotech] Round bottom Steinways and other

[David Stocker]

Most of the piano movers I know, including myself, always have a "Steinway 
Stick" in their moving supplies. Often just a 1" x 2" x 2' piece, it is 
wedged between the dolly and the front edge of the bottom just under the 
pedals. That is usually enough to render the piano stable enough for an easy 
move. I've seen fancier ones chamfered to fit the angle, but if the 1 x 2 
makes it lean toward the back of the piano, that is perhaps more stable.

My moving trailer is outfitted with e-track, and my dolly has e-track 
fittings as well. On such a piano, I will wedge it, and then put a strap 
around the length of the piano attached to the dolly to help keep the stick 
and dolly in place.

Steinway doesn't need a why. It's Steinway, therefore it must be better / 
right.

Mostly, I think it has to do with the plate sticking out the bottom of the 
piano, leaving less width for the bottom board.


David Stocker, RPT
Tumwater, WA

-----Original Message----- 
From: Douglas Gregg
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 11:37
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Round bottom Steinways and other

Yesterday, I had a rough move with a 1918 Steinway V. This is the
third time I have moved this piano. It may be my last. Many full sized
uprights from this period have only about a 6 inch wide flat portion
on the bottom board and the edges are rounded.  On top of that, they
are front heavy. I put it on a skid and used a 5 foot long 5/4 x 6
decking plank under the legs and pedals to help support the front and
stabilize it, but it was still tippy.

Does anyone know why they put these "round bottoms" on these pianos?
Did movers do something different back then? Or were the designers
just sadistic?  Are there any special tricks to moving them. I
considered moving it on its side but that risks some shifting of the
old action parts and it would be even taller that way, and more top
heavy. I had to take it down two short staircases (8 steps each)  this
time. What a Bi#@*.

Doug Gregg
Classic Piano Doc
Southold, NY