When is a Steinway still a Steinway

[Farrell]

Kent Swafford wrote:

> Among the pianos that I service, the finest pianos are not 
> officially-blessed-as-Steinway Steinways, but rather are Steinways that 
> have been rebuilt by one particular local rebuilder with Ronsen 
> hammers, Renner actions, Bolduc pinblocks, non-Sitka spruce 
> soundboards, etc., but Steinway still gets the "credit" for these 
> pianos since the Steinway name has not been removed. Steinway should be 
> grateful; it is these restored pianos that help maintain Steinway's 
> good brand name.

It is my understanding that these restored pianos are also their main competition. And that is why they are reportedly going around buying up all the old Steinway's they can.

Terry Farrell