[pianotech] Round bottom Steinways and other

[Greg Newell]

Doug,
	I've had trouble with these beasts too. Monstrously heavy and
unwieldly to boot. I hope you share any answers that you receive.

Best,
Greg

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Douglas Gregg
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 2:37 PM
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