Dear Everyone, Randolph Herr's heir and brother Michael has asked me
to help him find a buyer for Randolph's 9-foot Steinway Duo-Art.
Thus far we have determined that a new, high-grade soundboard with
bridges was installed by A. C. Pianocraft in Long Island City,
New York (Steinway factory technicians "moonlighting" -- see
http://www.acpianocraft.com/ ), the plate was reinstalled, and piano
returned to Randolph shortly before he passed on. Someone has strung
the piano (not A.C.), apparently with its original pinblock. The
case has been stripped, there is no Duo-Art mechanism in it.
I have located a very reputable firm that rebuilds Steinway "D's" for
symphony orchestras and such ("Pianoworks" in Atlanta), that is willing
to finish the piano portion of this project, including remedying the
inevitable action geometry problems inherent in extended-key pianos
such as Duo-Arts, so that it plays as closely as possible to a regular
Steinway D. (They have done this before, and have happily worked with
A.C. cooperatively.)
I have not yet found anyone willing to re-install a Duo-Art system,
so suggestions in this regard would be welcomed. Photos and asking
price should be available soon, offers are requested.
Thanks,
Gordon Stelter
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