1889 Steinway Model A (62) 85 Note Grand Piano (s/n 60481)

  

Certified Piano Technician recent review 4/10/2021. The following are just some notes I gathered from my observations and any opinions are based on my general rebuilding, servicing and repairing knowledge of pianos.

Steinway and Sons themselves, or an authorized Steinway dealer, would be the only source for accurate information on the authenticity of the piano parts, the acceptability of the rebuild work done, and valuation of this piano. What I hope to give you is a starting point evaluation. That said, let me break down the piano systems into several categories and Ill comment on what I found. Ebony Steinway A, 85 note grand piano.

From the curved arms at either end of the keyboard, it appears this could be a German Hamburg built Steinway, not New York, however, there may have been some exceptions to that rule. That could be confirmed by contacting New York Steinway and Sons.

They would have records on this case. Appeared to be in pretty good, although not perfect, condition. Couple small knicks and dings here and there, but over-all very nice condition considering its age.

Appears to have the original pin block. I spot checked torque on about 5 or 6 tuning pins. Avg tuning pin torque was 45-50in/lbs (down) which is within the range of what I find is normal for most pianos. Between 20 and 30 is questionable, and anything under 20 is un-tunable in my experience. Soundboard had multiple cracks, most of which had been repaired (glue and doweled through ribs from underneath the piano).

Most of the repairs still look good. Few cracks where glue was used to fill the cracks look to be slightly opening back up, but soundboard still has plenty of voice and no obvious buzzing. Action looked to be in pretty good shape for its age. Of course, visually inspecting it is one thing, and finding issues through the course of fully regulating it is quite another. Often one cannot know the true condition of something (and that goes for the tuning and everything else) until one works with it a while.

Hammers appear to have been replaced, maybe in the last 26 years or so. The hammer shanks, flanges, and knuckles all appear to be original. I didnt inspect the knuckles real closely, but looked worn, but not worn out. Hammer flanges seemed to be nice and free. From what I could tell, there was no evidence of the dreaded Steinway verdigris (green growth seen on center pins/flange bushings that caused very sluggish hammer motion).

Did not inspect closely to tell if any felts or leathers had been replaced on the whippens. From what I could tell, what was there was very functional. Keytops are the original ivory.

There are at least 7 chipped keytops. Someone skilled at repairing chipped ivory can fill those in to where they are less noticeable and would remove the sharp edges, however, color matching the repair is quite difficult. The alternative would be to have those key tops (just the heads, not the tails), replaced. Ivory cannot be traded, so it may be difficult finding a technician who has one from a dismantled piano that would match. If so, they could be swapped out. Key bushings appear to have been replaced. The damper felts appear to have been replaced, likely when and if it was re-strung. They appear to be in decent.

The item "1889 Steinway Model A (62) 85 Note Grand Piano (s/n 60481)" is in sale since Saturday, April 24, 2021. This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & Gear\Pianos, Keyboards & Organs\Pianos\Grand & Baby Grand Pianos". The seller is "ronalloone" and is located in Springfield, Missouri. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Model: Model A 62 grand piano
• Type: Baby Grand Piano
• MPN: 68101
• Brand: Steinway & Sons