If you paid attention in history class, you likely know Henry Ford is given credit for revolutionizing the manufacturing process with the assembly line. This allowed Ford to manufacture the Model T in great numbers AND made them affordable for the middle class. Until then, only the rich were able to afford the so-called horseless carriage. Alas, the assembly line also ended the era of the hand-built autos. The individual craftsman was suddenly obsolete.
Craftsmanship is Alive & Well
SoCal Pianos wants to make sure you know craftsmanship does survive in the 21st century. One of the notable locations is on Steinway Street in Queens, NY. This is where Steinway pianos are painstakingly crafted just as they have been since 1853.
There is No Rushing Perfection
It takes nine months or longer to carefully craft each grand or upright piano that comes out of the historic Steinway factory. Eighty percent of the production process is done by hand and completed by meticulously trained craftsmen. This is why SoCal Pianos is so proud to feature and sell Steinway pianos at our stores in Ontario & Palm Desert, CA (appointment only at both locations).
It Starts With the Wood
It takes quality wood to produce quality sound and Steinway chooses only the best for its grand and upright pianos. But quality is just the beginning. After the wood arrives at the factory, it is dried for more than two years. Water evaporates naturally. This is the only way to achieve the best acoustic quality. Only after the careful selection and drying process can production begin.
Assembly Process Begins
The dried wood is then molded and curved to form the shape of the piano case, after which it needs to dry for several more months. When the time is right, craftsmen carefully hand carve the bridges and attach the strings. The strings, made of the highest quality elastic steel wire, can carry up to 40 thousand pounds of tension when the construction is complete.
Testing & Adjusting
When a Steinway is assembled, the testing begins. One example is the “pounding room” where each key will be played more than 3,000 times. This is followed by multiple adjustments and fine tunings until the sound reaches perfection.
The Finishing Steps
Every Steinway is built from the inside out which means the final step is the exterior finish. Each piano gets six coats of paint with a carefully calculated amount of time between coats. When painting is complete, the case is left to stand for one week, and then the paint is hardened to protect the finish.
Make An Appointment to See a Steinway in Person
Now you know more about the quality of what you are looking at when you step inside the SoCal Pianos showrooms in Ontario & Palm Desert, CA (appointment only at both locations) to inquire about piano rentals or buying one for your home. A Steinway grand piano truly is a labor of love and an example that even in a world dominated by modern versions of the Model T, there still exists the modern-day equivalent of the Duesenberg—a Steinway Piano. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.
