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Everything to be seen! It is necessary to ascertain how the restoration was carried out. One must check what type of hammers and, not least, the charge of the soundboard. Surely the old parts must have been thrown away!!!!!! And then pins? rollers? heels? keyboard re-pinning? Has it been washed? How? Who performed the restoration?

Thank you for the answer. I will try to verify

Good evening Maestro Ferrarelli

I have obtained some more precise information. The strings, pins, dampers, and hammers were replaced by the Technician (whom I have known for a few years and whom I know to be a serious and competent person) with original Steinway parts. Everything else is original and in good condition. The case still has its original appearance, albeit with a few marks here and there. Initially, I was thinking of having it refinished in glossy black, but now I am wondering if perhaps it is better to keep it as it is with its somewhat "vintage" air (considering also the slightly yellowed ivory keys). What do you think? Next week I am going to see it and try it out. What do you advise me to check? What are you referring to when you say: "Surely the old parts must have been thrown away!!!!!! And then styli? rollers? heels? keyboard folding? Has it been washed? How?" ,

Currently, I own an original 1980 Yamaha C7. What do you think?

Thank you in advance and best regards.

Andrea

I mean to say that depending on the year of construction (serial number), Steinway used different shapes and types of hammers. The strings must respect the diameters recommended by the Company. The dampers must be those suitable for Steinway: cut according to the inclination of the wooden heads and woven horizontally.

Regarding the keyboard, it must be left in the light, otherwise it yellows. The case cannot be re-lacquered if it is polyester. If instead it is shellacked, then an excellent job can be done... but one must find an expert with "black". Black aniline alone, before the shellac, is not enough; it takes on a violet color. One uses black powder and then pumice, shellac, spirit, and.... elbow grease. It is worth it if the polishing craftsman is good and guarantees the result!

An expert should also check the "crown" of the soundboard. Steinway bass strings are wound (i.e., wrapped with copper wire) counter-clockwise.

Furthermore, the hammer rail must be employed and voiced using a factory procedure (radial pre-voicing and final voicing).

All this contributes to "building" the Steinway sound.

Anyway, aniline is no longer on the market... I believe it is carcinogenic, so something else is needed.

...seen and tested... In the end I kept my C7

Hi, given your question, I imagine that your interest is seeking a better sound or better mechanics; if you bought your piano new and are sure you have always entrusted it to a competent tuner, I would suggest checking if anyone is selling a Blüthner grand piano—with that amount you could find truly remarkable instruments (however, there are 2 types of 'mechanics' and 2 types of pinblocks, so if you should find one and try it, get informed and take photos regarding the mechanics and the pinblock!!)