The 7 Master Secrets to Buying the Perfect Steinway Piano

A Note from Marshall Luke If you are refurbishing or buying a Steinway, you deserve the excellence of early 20th century pianos. Do you want a mass produced clone or a handcrafted piano that will be reliable for 100 years, like the early days? The answer is obvious to me, since I've been rebuilding and repairing pianos for over 40 years. I'm currently training a new appreciate who will take at least 9 years before he is able to direct this work, because of the experience, dedication, and level of knowledge needed to create the best pianos for you. I want you to know what to ask for before you begin! Which is why I'm sharing this report with you today, because when you go to buy a piano, or rebuild your current one, you must know how the tradition of piano building is changing, and how to get value. I believe in quality in every step, and you'll meet some of the Masters it's my honor to work with on your pianos. I hope these 7 Master Secrets help you get the piano of your dreams. Marshall Luke Certified Master Piano Technician LukePiano.com [email protected]

Secret #1. The Perfect Soundboard: Get Spruce with Sugar Pine Ribs Get Sugar Pine ribs with a Spruce soundboard delivered at 13-15 grains per inch, just like the original Steinways were created. My colleagues at Northwest Specialty Woods carefully pick old growth Spruce in Alaska that is 13-15 grains per inch for my soundboards. Many piano rebuilders will vary more or less, which impacts quality. Now here's where they really get you; many pros, including today's Steinways, use spruce as the ribs! This impacts the crown of your soundboard. We use Sugar Pine, which was used in original Steinways, because the ribs stiffen the soundboard, but not too rigidly like spruce.

Spruce Soundboard, with Sugar Pine Ribs!

Secret #2. Custom Fit Pinblocks The design of an old Steinway incorporated an open holed or exposed pinblock. Used in Europe at the turn of the century, (1900) replacement is one of the most complicated procedures. Although time consuming, we remove the case from the pinblock area and replace it with a new one. Many others do not take the time to carefully measure and adapt their pinblocks, because every piano has its own requirements.

We use 5-Ply Quartersawn Maple Pin Blocks from Schaff Piano, who have been in business since 1861. These pinblocks are extremely resilient and easy to tune. When we build a pinblock, it starts with 5 sides - top front back left right, and the bottom never changes. We make a mark on the case and a mark on the old pinblock, and from one mark you can build an entire pinblock without measuring, and build to that.

Secret #3. Hand Notched Bridges

Bridges vary widely in quality because of the "Bridge Maker" creating them. Each one must be hand notched to fit the piano specifications. You should insist on the best "Bridge Maker", otherwise you risk the quality of your piano to luck. Attention to detail is key in getting your bridge to deliver the sound befitting a Steinway. We only trust our bridges to John Trefz, the 5th generation of Trefz Piano, building pianos since 1835. John is a genius at building bridges and we know that your piano will be the best with his skills.

Secret #4. Action Parts from Steinway The Action Parts for you piano, from flanges to hammers, must use parts directly from Steinway. Trying to fit in replacements could undermine all the work you've done so far, so don't settle for anything less. All the pianos we rebuild come with these Steinway Action Parts, which we adapt to fit your specific piano. We do everything by hand to insure that your piano is as close to original as it gets, original as measured against the Golden Age of pianos in the early 20th century, before compromises and overproduction created piano mediocrity.

Secret #5. Get Ivory instead of Plastic When pianists talk about "tickling the ivories", it's more than a cliche. Prior to about 1930, every piano came with ivory keys. Ivory was the original choice and though plastics have improved, if you want a true Steinway you want ivory. Ivory keys are responsive, unlikely to “stick” because of sweat on the fingers, since ivory absorbs sweat. We only use verifiable pre ban ivory, which is documented. We believe that it is better to honor these majestic animals that gave their lives to be a part of an amazing instrument that will be enjoyed by many for another century. We work with David Warther, a 5th generation Swiss ivory carver. These ivory keys are handcut and installed. His work is in museums and his knowledge, skills and inventory of ivory is rare. You get ivory custom fit for your piano, delivering the sound and feel your Steinway deserves.

Secret #6. Plates by Hand for Integrity

It's amazing how many off the rack plates ate put into new and refurbished pianos, something a master craftsman would never do. Plates are so important to your piano, we do all our own, in house. Stripped to bare steel, with a vinyl sealer primer. Then sanded and sanded and sanded. All nicks and dings are fixed (better than new). The plates are smoother and a better finish than from Steinway. We use #48 rich pale gold, the finest gold powder; this is followed by Gold leaf by hand, then sealed again. Then a pen and india ink around the lettering. Seals again. This is all done free hand. Steinway doesn’t make their own plates either anymore. We do because it adds so much to the final piano.

Secret #7 Finish it Right

Most piano buyers think this is the simplest step. So why do I trust it to just one person? Because Conrad Storr and his team at Premier Refinishing in Utah are the best. Conrad has worked with us for years and we trust him with your piano for a reason. He delivers and then some. Beware of many companies skimping on this step, leaving you with a poorly finished Steinway which should look as good as it sounds.

Your Steinway Done the Right Way

The finished piano was shipped to my customer in Maryland in late 2005, he was very kind to send me this photo of the completed Steinway in his home. A fine addition to a well appointed home, one that appreciates a fine historic Steinway grand piano. My job is completed. We know you don't want an average piano, you want a Steinway done the right way. Which is what we deliver to you and urge you to insist on what we've outlined here, because it is guaranteed to deliver you a quality piano that will last a long, long time.

Thanks to my Colleagues in Excellence We couldn't deliver you the best pianos without help from the businesses we handpick to help us each step of the way. Many of these are long time, fifth generation piano professionals who know exactly what to do, and whom we thank and trust to deliver you the best pianos.

Soundboards: Northwest Specialty Woods Pinblocks: Schaff Piano Supply Bridges; John Trefz, "The Bridge Maker" Action Parts: Steinway Ivory: David Warther Plates: We do these ourselves. David Warther Finishing Cases: Premier Refinishing in Utah Visit us at http://LukePiano.com and let us know how we can serve you.