Steinway Policy.. was grafs.

[Farrell]

My thoughts on "We want Steinway parts only".

Pound for pound, the pre-1950 Steinways coming out of top rebuilding shops
with Renner/Abel action parts and Stanwood modifications, Bolduc/Gravagne
soundboards, custom made bridges, Sanderson bass strings, etc. have more
Steinway parts than Steinways coming from the Steinway factory since about
1950. At least those rebuilt Steinways have a Steinway plate (cast in the
Steinway factory). Post-1950 factory Steinways have aftermarket plates (made
in Springfield, Ohio). A pre-1950 rebuilt Steinway has perhaps 900 lbs. of
"Genuine Steinway Parts". A post-1950 factory Steinway has, what, about 500
lbs. of "Genuine Steinway Parts". Someone should call 'em on this one!

I hate Steinway's marketing department. How do they sleep at night?

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: <A440A@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2001 5:49 AM
Subject: Re: Steinway Policy.. was grafs.


> Richard writes:
> <<This year he was to take the round on only
> one concert grand piano.. I am to do to the other one.... his reaction
> was...well uncomfortable to put it that way. >>
>
>      A State University here in Tennessee recently had Steinway send a man
> down to rehammer a D that was here.  Their local tech  had already done
this
> once and they weren't happy about it.   The Steinway tech arrived, spent a
> day installing pre-hung hammers, regulated and voiced the instrument and
> left.
>     The factory's bill to the school was for $6,000.  They are still not
> happy with the piano and I told them that I thought the soundboard was
> defective, but they should try a few Renner hammers in the problem section
> and see if it was a hammer problem or soundboard/sounding structure.  What
> was the reaction?
>      "Ooooh, no, we want Steinway parts, only!"
>      My response?  "Well then, there is no problem here, you already have
> Steinway parts installed by a factory Steinway technician!".
>    They are now considering a change of philosophy, and have asked me to
> completely restore an older A that they were planning on sending back to
the
> factory for the full treatment.  Steinway and Sons doesn't really seem to
> care about customer service, sadly.   Even after the large number of
pianos I
> have had sent there for board replacement, I don't get calls returned.  Go
> figure.
> REgards,
> Ed Foote RPT
>