Rebuilt Steinway...The General Issues

[David Skolnik]

David and LIst -

I wanted to address a few of your comments, apart from offering any 
specific advice to Ms. Rogers.


Deb Rogers wrote:
>It does not have a damp chaser system.  I was under the impression that 
>Steinway does not recommend them

At 09:08 PM 2/9/2003 -0800, David Love wrote:
>Any piano will benefit from a humidity control device.  I don't know why
>Steinway would not recommend one, and I've never heard of that policy from
>them.

In fact, Steinway's web site makes absolutely no mention of 
DampChasers.  They recommend maintaining the room environment at between 
45% and 65% by the use of room humidification, dehumidification and 
air-conditioning.  My experience has been that Steinway has been extremely 
reticent in recommencing the use of DampChasers, as they have no control 
over the quality of the installation, nor the dependability of the product 
itself.

>Most rebuilders will not warranty against cracks in the board,
>especially if the piano is not kept in a controlled environment.

First, the Steinway Warranty:

>"It does protect you against defects in materials or workmanship for 5 
>full years. Your best guarantee of long-term satisfaction from your 
>Steinway piano's performance will be your continuing care of the 
>instrument, as recommended in this section."

As a legal document, It is unclear whether this warranty covers soundboard 
cracks, even if one can document that the recommended environmental 
parameters have been observed.  Why would one expect anything more from the 
rebuilding community?

So...what ARE our expectations regarding soundboard splitting?  Would we be 
willing to recommend the purchase of a new piano, off the showroom floor, 
with a split board?  Why not?  How many splits are OK?

David Skolnik