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New Steinway D casters

  • 1.  New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-16-2019 07:19

    Hi All,

     

    We are about to get a brand new Steinway D for our recital hall. It comes with the larger brass casters. We want to take them off and install a piano truck. Would the brass casters harm the wood floor on the stage?

     

    Question:  Are the legs shorter to accommodate for the bigger casters, or are the legs the same length as the normal ones?  If they are the same, does the lyre sit up higher or is it longer?

     

    Does it need a special piano truck?

     

    Thanks

    Paul

     



  • 2.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Posted 01-16-2019 07:54
    Hi Paul, If the deal is not finalized you could elect  double rubber Darnell wheels on the standard longer leg, then  on delivery pop them off and have the movers install a Colson truck. Yes the leg is shorter with these  $2K brass casters so on removal and good luck with that  it's too low for the Colson or rather the lyre, I elected to keep the large casters on our 2011 model D they don't mark up the stage floor​ but if you  have work study  stage crew moving the piano on and off stage  they need to know that the locking device on front two legs should never be overtightened, ask me how I know!  Our 4 other D's  backstage Concert Hall are all on Colsons. Is it a NY or Hamburg model, the large size casters on these short legs were different for a while.

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    Martin Snow
    Boston MA
    617-543-1030
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-16-2019 07:58

    This is a New York Steinway.  Just picked out by 2 of our piano profs.  Unfortunately, the pianos are now at our local Steinway dealer with the big casters.  Being delivered on the 27th.  I just found out about the big casters!  We want to put it on a truck. I fear the brass wheels will damage the wood floor on the stage.

     

    We're actually buying that and a C&A D as well but it has the rubber casters.  I guess I'll have to order a special one for the new D.

     

    Thanks

    Paul




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-16-2019 08:07
    Mr. Williams,
    Jansen makes a dolly for use on pianos with the large casters. It compensates for the shorter leg and keeps the lyre at the right height.

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    Karl Roeder
    Pompano Beach FL
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-16-2019 08:28
    Paul -
    Martin asked some relevant questions.  Other than concern about the floor, why do you want to trade-out these wheels?  Who WILL be doing the piano moves?  Are there any door saddles to navigate?  In general, if the casters have not been abused, either as the way Martin admitted to (over-tightening), or by being moved without first loosening locking knob, they are a joy.  Much easier than a Colson (or Jansen). 
    As general policy, pianos should always be moved by qualified personnel, for both personal safety and that of equipment.

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    David Skolnik [RPT]
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-16-2019 08:30
    Hi Paul,

    We had that exact dilemma here eighteen months or so back.  In addition, we also completely replaced our stage floor with beautiful hardwood and we were afraid of scratching it up.  We have been very happy with the big brass casters though.  (I call them Hamburg casters). If, however, you move the piano over uneven surfaces; door thresholds, damaged floors, etc. it is important to use a grand truck instead of the individual casters.  The truck will protect the legs if you hit bumps.

    Chris

    Christopher D. Purdy R.P.T.
    Registered Piano Technician
    School of Music, Ohio University
    Rm. 311, Robt. Glidden Hall
    Athens, OH  45701
    Office (740) 593-4230
    Cell    (740) 590-3842
    fax      (740) 593-1429
    http://www.ohiou.edu/music




    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-16-2019 08:39

    This piano will stay on the stage. Since we will have another D as well (an existing one), and different players like different pianos, they push to the back of the stage in little parking spaces on either side of the pipe organ.  All the floor is level and there are no thresholds or anything to worry about.

     

    So you think these spendy casters won't damage the floor?  I might not get a truck for this one.

     

    Thanks

    Paul

     




    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-16-2019 08:41
    Yes, I was really on the fence about this too but we have loved these casters!

    Chris

    Christopher D. Purdy R.P.T.
    Registered Piano Technician
    School of Music, Ohio University
    Rm. 311, Robt. Glidden Hall
    Athens, OH  45701
    Office (740) 593-4230
    Cell    (740) 590-3842
    fax      (740) 593-1429
    http://www.ohiou.edu/music




    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-16-2019 09:18
    Paul and all-
    2 D's and a CF-III all with casters on the same stage, absolutely no damage. They constantly go in and out of three large doors on the upstage side. No ill effects.
    DB

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    David Brown
    Garland TX
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Posted 01-16-2019 13:17
    Have you considered the Jansen Grand Transporter?  We have just purchased one for our Fazioli, and will probably end up putting the casters back on our Bösendorefer, which has been on a stage truck for years.

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    Floyd Gadd
    Regina SK
    306-502-9103
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-16-2019 14:34
    I have a customer who 3 years ago bought 3 legs from Steinway that have the large casters and short legs, to replace the standard legs on a 2004 D.  The originals are satin ebony and in excellent condition.  The old leg plates were used on the new legs, so they would have to be purchased.  He has the original casters.

    They are just sitting in his basement.  I am guessing he would be willing to part with them for not too much money.

    Would this be helpful?

    The original lyre was just fine either way in terms of height from the floor.

    Will Truitt

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    William Truitt
    Bridgewater NH
    603-744-2277
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-17-2019 10:49
    Paul,
    Another thing to consider is that the brass will transmit vibrational energy better (the piano’s first contact with anything other than itself is the floor,) and rubber casters will absorb more of this energy. Depending on the acoustic design of your hall, you should certainly consider leaving the brass casters in place.

    Joe Wiencek


    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-18-2019 09:33

    I spoke to the head piano prof yesterday and also the Dean.  For now we will leave it on the brass casters, but have a truck available in case we have some guest artist who likes it best, but playing in another of our 3 venues which would be very rare.

     

    I've heard that the sound is better when not on a piano truck.  Plus, I think they're ugly!

     

    Thanks for all the input!

     

    Have a great weekend. Stay warm.

     

    Paul




    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: New Steinway D casters

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-18-2019 10:14
    Paul -
    This is a good short-term solution, but your thinking is a bit skewed.  Depending upon how often you might feel 'compelled' to move the piano, your real-world options would be:
    - hire a mover
    - get Jansen transporter (as per Floyd's suggestion)
    - obtain a hydraulic lift table (modified) - Steinway and Julliard were using these years ago
    - or this:  Pianolift 2

    It makes no sense to move the piano onto a standard truck for the purpose of moving to other venue, as you'd have to deal with getting the casters off and piano onto truck, which, of course, would have to be the one designed for short legs.

    Best solution: Just Say NO!

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    David Skolnik [RPT]
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
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    Original Message