Introduction and Steinway Duo-Art
By Lewis Shepherd
Although I've been an irregular, lurking reader/recipient of the MMD for some months now, I have a new impetus to introduce myself fully.
My name is Lewis Shepherd, and I live in San Francisco. My wife Kathryn brought to our marriage a Monarch 88-note player, which she pegs at dating back to 1913 or so. Unfortunately, the Monarch is stuck up in our summer cabin on the Feather River about 400 miles away, so we only enjoy it for a few months a year. (Have a great recommendation though for anyone in Plumas or Lassen counties who needs a player technician!). The Monarch is what led me to first subscribe last year, but winter and absence kept it out of mind....
This week, however, after on-and-off shopping for a grand piano for our home in the big city, we chanced upon and impulsively purchased a Steinway grand, Duo-Art player. (Style OR, Serial Number 209005, which according to a list in Larry Fein's "The Piano Book" makes it a 1921 Steinway. Bought it from Sherman-Clay in San Francisco, paid $15800, and got 75 rolls in the bargain.
The piano seems to be in excellent condition, original ivories and beautiful mahogany case, great sound. It was a California piano, well-cared for by the proverbial little old lady, who also had excellent taste in reproducer rolls. The player mechanism works well, on some rolls unbelievably well. Yet I've noticed that on many rolls, the upper register of notes does not track well or at all (keys don't strike or strike softly). The motor itself is a bit noisy (I know nothing about but am fascinated by the idea of a remote motor for this thing?).
Sherman-Clay is sending round (i.e. paying for :-) a local tuner and a piano technician to adjust and acclimate the piano and player mechanism for its new home. I hope they're good. ...
I know from our experience with the Monarch how and where to buy rolls, but I know almost nothing about this Steinway, its reputation or track record, or any and all lore about it and its potential. Any and all information for a newbie would be greatly appreciated!
Lewis Shepherd
nobhillsf@aol.com |
(Message sent Sun 30 Mar 1997, 05:50:52 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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