Tom Driscoll wrote: > List, > > I have a client seeking my opinion concerning purchase of a > 5 year old Steinway M at a university sale @$39,000. I have not seen > this particular piano but have reservations about the tonal production > of the M. Those designers among us have commented on scaling flaws and > of course the compression crowned soundboards, but my question is what > specifically are the areas of design where the shortcomings exist. > > I felt like I was raining on a parade with my comments about > the M, and Id like to be more specific. Ive encouraged my client > toward a models L or B but budget may not allow them to consider those > models. > Tom, It sounds like you think there is something wrong with the design of the M. I couldn't disagree more strongly. I have rebuilt at least 20 Ms and have found the basic design to be very solid and reliable. While any design can be improved the M is one of the best small grands available to musicians. Of course I have seen many disappointing Ms but it is failings in execution and craftsmanship that are to blame not design. I am right now finishing a rebuilding of a model M. It has a new soundboard and a complete action rebuild. I just finished doing the first tuning after installing the dampers. With no voicing at all the registers are well balanced with no detectable breaks from wound strings to plain wire or across the break from tenor bridge to bass bridge. There is also no tonal break from the agraffs to the decapo area. The "killer octave" is as clear and singing as anyone would wish. Good sustain and very even throughout. This piano even unvoiced out performs any other small grand that I am aware of. John Hartman RPT John Hartman Pianos [link redacted at request of site owner - Jul 25, 2015] Rebuilding Steinway and Mason & Hamlin Grand Pianos Since 1979 Piano Technicians Journal Journal Illustrator/Contributing Editor [link redacted at request of site owner - Jul 25, 2015]
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