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10' Steinway "D"

  • 1.  10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-06-2025 11:59

    Someone (a technician) on another forum is presently claiming to have seen and played a 10' long Steinway concert grand at the University of Tampa, FL some years ago. He claims it was built in 1960, and assures readers that it is NOT a player with extended keys, etc.  He says it was quite awesome.

    Can anyone verify (or debunk) this claim? Did Steinway build one or more "special" concert instruments such as this?  Yes, I'm hoping Daniel D. Will chime in here...

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 2.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-07-2025 08:47

    And where might Steinway have that 10' rim press lying around today?

    David G. Hughes, RPT



    ------------------------------
    David Hughes RPT
    Vintage Case Parts
    Glyndon MD
    (443) 522-2201
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-07-2025 09:31

    Precisely David

    The poster has subsequently admitted that sans tape measure, he did not actually confirm this 10' data point.  It has been suggested to me that a serial number would answer the question with reasonable certainty. 🤔 

    Makes perfect sense to me

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Posted 03-07-2025 09:43
    If it were 10ft, wouldn't it have a different model name? 




    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-07-2025 11:31

    Like E?  For Extra Darn Big! 😉 

    I would think so.

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-07-2025 12:58

    Not only do we have to find the 10' rim press, we also have to sniff around for the master plate pattern. And then we need to find the template for the longer lid. This could take a while.

    David G. Hughes, RPT



    ------------------------------
    David Hughes RPT
    Vintage Case Parts
    Glyndon MD
    (443) 522-2201
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-07-2025 13:11

    Is there a pic of this piano with accurate measuments?

    Sounds like a witch hunt.

     




    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-07-2025 20:51

    Probably 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Posted 03-08-2025 13:45
    Using Google I see that the Whitehouse Steinway is 9'6 1/2" long (if their measurements are correct)....If you look at the case, you can see how they stretched the tail depth to do that. However, the inside of the case is just a normal D. 
    image.png
    But it is still not 10' long. I was unable to find any thing else of a 10' special Steinway model. 


    --
     Richard Adkins 
     Keyboard Tuning and Maintenance
     Curator of Instruments 
             
    Notice:
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  • 10.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-08-2025 14:10

    Richard and All,

    A model D is a model D. Either Steinway (at the factory) or anyone else (out in the field) can glom adornments to the front or rear of the rim, but the "piano" is still 8' 11.5" long.

    If Steinway ever built a "10' concert grand", we all would know about it. 

    David G. Hughes, RPT



    ------------------------------
    David Hughes RPT
    Vintage Case Parts
    Glyndon MD
    (443) 522-2201
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Posted 03-08-2025 17:10
    Yes, that's what I thought I was saying by posting the picture of the Whitehouse grand, which has the usual D inside of the extended tail....a D is a D....I agree. But if they ever wanted to make a 10' grand they could easily in that same fashion. I've not seen any other custom Steinway like it in that regard, but someone may have commissioned one. I'm sure we'd know, as you say. Someone on that other group has their facts wrong....unless they can provide documentary evidence and photos. I did
    see one collection where the D was described as being 9'10 1/2" but then in a further description is was 8'10 1/2"...so someone mistyped. Maybe that is what has happened in this case. 


    --
     Richard Adkins 
     Keyboard Tuning and Maintenance
     Curator of Instruments 
             
    Notice:
    This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not named you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this email. Please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system.

    Warning: Although the sender has taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email, the sender cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of this email or attachments.




    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-08-2025 11:59

    It was when they were considering going to bra sizes as the model names.  This was known as the double D.  



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    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-08-2025 12:58

    David Love: Almost. The DD was the 18' concert grand they made, only for a very short period. It was released to compete with Mason & Hamlin's CC.

    David G. Hughes, RPT



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    David Hughes RPT
    Vintage Case Parts
    Glyndon MD
    (443) 522-2201
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: 10' Steinway "D"

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-08-2025 21:39

    David H.

    I did not know that! Thanks for almost saving me from a tasteless joke. 



    ------------------------------
    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
    ------------------------------

    Original Message