Saturday, January 31, 2009

George Steck Art Case 6' Grand







Beautiful rosewood art case circa 1912. Completely rebuilt by Delwin Fandrich, piano designer and builder.

I rebuilt this piano in the mid-1990s. At the time I replaced the soundboard, repinned the bridges and replaced the pinblock and strings. Later I replaced the major action components such as the wippens and hammershanks. The hammers are cold-pressed (made by Ronsen) with timbral characteristics very close to the originals. The piano has a warm, dynamic sound reminiscent of pianos from the early 20th century. It plays more like a modern piano.

Extremely good price: $12,500

Bush & Lane Upright

We have one of these still in process.

The Bush & Lane we are now preparing for sale is 3/4 rebuilt. It has a new pinblock, the soundboard has been repaired, sealed and finished, the bridges are repinned and the new strings are installed.

Its beautiful matched walnut casework is already refinished.

The action work is underway. The new Ronsen hammers (Wurzen felt) have arrived and will be going on soon.

The big glorious sound is coming to life and when the action work is completed it will be ready to preview by those who love one of the finest American uprights of the early twentieth century ever built.