A couple of years ago I received a Steinway "XR", made in 1920, for
restoration. I also found that the quality of the piano was just not
up to Steinway standards. Not anything big, but lots of small things,
including the fitting and regulation of the action, and some other
sloppy workmanship in the case itself. Since then, I have had the
chance to partially restore a Steinway "M", and the difference was like
day and night.
I have often wondered if, when Steinway made a case for a player, it
also affected the workmanship, with the workers knowing it was "just
another player piano". Could we hear from the restorers who have done
both Steinways players _and_ conventional Steinway pianos over the
years?
Al Pebworth
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