If you don’t have 12,116 original Steinway parts, you’re not really a Steinway?

Website design By BotEap.comSteinway as a company realized that the restoration part of the piano business is big business, and they wanted a piece of it. It turns out that Steinway’s biggest competitor is the restoration of used Steinways.

Website design By BotEap.comSo let’s put this ‘genuine parts’ issue under the microscope so that you, the Steinway piano owner, can make a better decision when it comes to restoring your heirloom piano.

Website design By BotEap.comNO LONGER OWNERS

Website design By BotEap.comIf even one part is missing it means it is no longer a Steinway, then it is not a Steinway either. The Steinway family sold the business in 1963 to CBS. After that, the lines of distinction blur when it comes to family involvement.

Website design By BotEap.comThe last recorded family member to have worked at Steinway was Henry Z. Steinway. He is listed as the last president until 1977 (remember he is owned by CBS).

Website design By BotEap.comIt is also said that he worked at the factory (signing personalized limited editions) until his death in 2008 at the age of 93. This seemed strange to me. How many 93-year-old billionaires do you know who work in a factory?

Website design By BotEap.comRegardless, even 2008 represents 7 years without a member of the Steinway family. That’s a big missing part. The company is currently owned by Paulsen and Co., an investment management company.

Website design By BotEap.comNOT ALL PARTS ARE MADE IN THE FACTORY, BUT ARE SUBCONTRACTED.

Website design By BotEap.com· Steinway does not make their bass strings, they are made by Mapes in Tennessee.

Website design By BotEap.com· Steinway does not manufacture their finishes, they are manufactured by Wurdack Industrial Finishes of St Louis MO.

Website design By BotEap.com· Steinway hammers are not sounded with Steinway lacquer, but with Wurdack lacquer.

Website design By BotEap.com· Steinway does not own a forest, but they buy their lumber from Fred Tebb and Sons in Tacoma Washington. Ask about their Steinway-grade Sitka spruce, as anyone can buy it, but it will be expensive.

Website design By BotEap.comI have found other companies that sell the same grade of Sitka Spruce, which comes from the same forest, at a much lower cost.

Website design By BotEap.comOTHER OUTSOURCED COMPANIES THAT WERE ACQUIRED BY STEINWAY

Website design By BotEap.comCast iron plates have been manufactured by OS Kelley Foundry since 1938. Recently purchased.

Website design By BotEap.comThe Kluge Company makes action parts such as tuning pegs, felts, full actions. Recently purchased.

Website design By BotEap.comTHE QUALITY OF THE PARTS

Website design By BotEap.comIt’s easy to assume that when a part comes in a box that says Genuine Steinway Parts, it’s of the highest quality. But this is not necessarily so. Other action parts companies make duplicate Steinway parts, often of better quality. Tokiwa and Renner now have a long history of making action parts that are reliable and more affordable and don’t take away from the performance quality of the Steinway.

Website design By BotEap.comI once held all the different parts side by side, and there was no special quality to the Steinway parts to distinguish them from the others.

Website design By BotEap.comTHE HEART OF STEINWAY

Website design By BotEap.comThe soundboard is made using a described process called a “recipe”. This recipe is basically a panel of Sitka spruce glued with straight ribs of sugar pine that is dried to 4-5% CME. When it sticks to the piano it grows and crowns. That is all! Any experienced soundboard bellyman can duplicate it.

Website design By BotEap.comCONCLUSION

Website design By BotEap.comAs an illustration of how silly this whole parts thing is:

Website design By BotEap.comIf I replaced a part of your Steinway with a Tokiwa part and asked you to sit down and play the piano. Would you be able to tell me what note the Tokiwa part had?

Website design By BotEap.comI do not think.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you get one thing from this article, I hope it’s this: You can restore your Steinway to the same high standard, and at an affordable price, by comparing, asking questions, and taking your time to make a decision.