Pianotech

I would like to post a method for identifying Steinway grand pianos that readership might find easier to navigate than one(s) that have been posted recently in this forum. No offense is intended with my offering.

This list is valid for New York instruments manufactured from roughly 1885 to present. I believe it to be inclusive and accurate, though I welcome corrections. Also, there are several unique identifiers for several of the models - I am merely offering the easiest physical characteristics of each model to spot within a few seconds of observation.

Steinway pianos can be grouped by 26-bass and 20-bass instruments. The 26-bass models are shorter: S,M,O (three iterations), and L. The 20-bass instruments are larger: A (at least three iterations), B,C, and D. Without going too crazy, there are at least three iterations of the model O, and there are other minor differences in other models, but the alphabetic model designation remains constant for that model. (Yes, you really have to know your stuff to nail a Model A, even beyond what I identify here, but remember we're not going crazy). I'm leaving the lengths of the models omitted, because we may rarely have a tape measure on hand in a client's home. So, here we go.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 4 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model S.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 2 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model M.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), straight bass bridge, 2 wound unisons in the low tenor, rounded case tail = Model O1.

26- bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, rounded case tail = Model O2 or O3.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, squared case tail = Model L.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), straight bass bridge, third bridge in the low tenor = Model A1 85-key or A1 88-key.

20-bass (8 mono 12 bi), straight bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A2.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A3.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 67 dampers = Model B 85-key or B 88-key. 

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 71 dampers = Model C.

20 bass (8 mono, 5 bi, 7 tri), curved bass bridge = Model D.

NOTE: Even though I stipulated New York instruments, the one outlier that can confuse is the Model B: if it has 68 dampers rather than 67 it's a Hamburg B.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

Thank you David.

I would like to post a method for identifying Steinway grand pianos that readership might find easier to navigate than one(s) that have been posted recently in this forum. No offense is intended with my offering.

This list is valid for New York instruments manufactured from roughly 1885 to present. I believe it to be inclusive and accurate, though I welcome corrections. Also, there are several unique identifiers for several of the models - I am merely offering the easiest physical characteristics of each model to spot within a few seconds of observation.

Steinway pianos can be grouped by 26-bass and 20-bass instruments. The 26-bass models are shorter: S,M,O (three iterations), and L. The 20-bass instruments are larger: A (at least three iterations), B,C, and D. Without going too crazy, there are at least three iterations of the model O, and there are other minor differences in other models, but the alphabetic model designation remains constant for that model. (Yes, you really have to know your stuff to nail a Model A, even beyond what I identify here, but remember we're not going crazy). I'm leaving the lengths of the models omitted, because we may rarely have a tape measure on hand in a client's home. So, here we go.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 4 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model S.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 2 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model M.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), straight bass bridge, 2 wound unisons in the low tenor, rounded case tail = Model O1.

26- bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, rounded case tail = Model O2 or O3.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, squared case tail = Model L.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), straight bass bridge, third bridge in the low tenor = Model A1 85-key or A1 88-key.

20-bass (8 mono 12 bi), straight bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A2.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A3.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 67 dampers = Model B 85-key or B 88-key. 

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 71 dampers = Model C.

20 bass (8 mono, 5 bi, 7 tri), curved bass bridge = Model D.

NOTE: Even though I stipulated New York instruments, the one outlier that can confuse is the Model B: if it has 68 dampers rather than 67 it's a Hamburg B.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

David,

There is also a hybrid model O (perhaps what you're referring to as O3? Not sure) during the transition period from O to L that "looks" like an L but is actually classified as an O. I had one here once and upon inquiry at SS HQ that was the story I was given..."square" tail but cast, curved "duplex" in the plate like an O. Might not be too many around though. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Thank you David.

I would like to post a method for identifying Steinway grand pianos that readership might find easier to navigate than one(s) that have been posted recently in this forum. No offense is intended with my offering.

This list is valid for New York instruments manufactured from roughly 1885 to present. I believe it to be inclusive and accurate, though I welcome corrections. Also, there are several unique identifiers for several of the models - I am merely offering the easiest physical characteristics of each model to spot within a few seconds of observation.

Steinway pianos can be grouped by 26-bass and 20-bass instruments. The 26-bass models are shorter: S,M,O (three iterations), and L. The 20-bass instruments are larger: A (at least three iterations), B,C, and D. Without going too crazy, there are at least three iterations of the model O, and there are other minor differences in other models, but the alphabetic model designation remains constant for that model. (Yes, you really have to know your stuff to nail a Model A, even beyond what I identify here, but remember we're not going crazy). I'm leaving the lengths of the models omitted, because we may rarely have a tape measure on hand in a client's home. So, here we go.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 4 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model S.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 2 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model M.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), straight bass bridge, 2 wound unisons in the low tenor, rounded case tail = Model O1.

26- bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, rounded case tail = Model O2 or O3.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, squared case tail = Model L.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), straight bass bridge, third bridge in the low tenor = Model A1 85-key or A1 88-key.

20-bass (8 mono 12 bi), straight bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A2.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A3.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 67 dampers = Model B 85-key or B 88-key. 

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 71 dampers = Model C.

20 bass (8 mono, 5 bi, 7 tri), curved bass bridge = Model D.

NOTE: Even though I stipulated New York instruments, the one outlier that can confuse is the Model B: if it has 68 dampers rather than 67 it's a Hamburg B.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

David,

There is also a hybrid model O (perhaps what you're referring to as O3? Not sure) during the transition period from O to L that "looks" like an L but is actually classified as an O. I had one here once and upon inquiry at SS HQ that was the story I was given..."square" tail but cast, curved "duplex" in the plate like an O. Might not be too many around though. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Thank you David.

I would like to post a method for identifying Steinway grand pianos that readership might find easier to navigate than one(s) that have been posted recently in this forum. No offense is intended with my offering.

This list is valid for New York instruments manufactured from roughly 1885 to present. I believe it to be inclusive and accurate, though I welcome corrections. Also, there are several unique identifiers for several of the models - I am merely offering the easiest physical characteristics of each model to spot within a few seconds of observation.

Steinway pianos can be grouped by 26-bass and 20-bass instruments. The 26-bass models are shorter: S,M,O (three iterations), and L. The 20-bass instruments are larger: A (at least three iterations), B,C, and D. Without going too crazy, there are at least three iterations of the model O, and there are other minor differences in other models, but the alphabetic model designation remains constant for that model. (Yes, you really have to know your stuff to nail a Model A, even beyond what I identify here, but remember we're not going crazy). I'm leaving the lengths of the models omitted, because we may rarely have a tape measure on hand in a client's home. So, here we go.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 4 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model S.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 2 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model M.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), straight bass bridge, 2 wound unisons in the low tenor, rounded case tail = Model O1.

26- bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, rounded case tail = Model O2 or O3.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, squared case tail = Model L.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), straight bass bridge, third bridge in the low tenor = Model A1 85-key or A1 88-key.

20-bass (8 mono 12 bi), straight bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A2.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A3.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 67 dampers = Model B 85-key or B 88-key. 

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 71 dampers = Model C.

20 bass (8 mono, 5 bi, 7 tri), curved bass bridge = Model D.

NOTE: Even though I stipulated New York instruments, the one outlier that can confuse is the Model B: if it has 68 dampers rather than 67 it's a Hamburg B.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

I would like to post a method for identifying Steinway grand pianos that readership might find easier to navigate than one(s) that have been posted recently in this forum. No offense is intended with my offering.

This list is valid for New York instruments manufactured from roughly 1885 to present. I believe it to be inclusive and accurate, though I welcome corrections. Also, there are several unique identifiers for several of the models - I am merely offering the easiest physical characteristics of each model to spot within a few seconds of observation.

Steinway pianos can be grouped by 26-bass and 20-bass instruments. The 26-bass models are shorter: S,M,O (three iterations), and L. The 20-bass instruments are larger: A (at least three iterations), B,C, and D. Without going too crazy, there are at least three iterations of the model O, and there are other minor differences in other models, but the alphabetic model designation remains constant for that model. (Yes, you really have to know your stuff to nail a Model A, even beyond what I identify here, but remember we're not going crazy). I'm leaving the lengths of the models omitted, because we may rarely have a tape measure on hand in a client's home. So, here we go.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 4 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model S.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 2 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model M.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), straight bass bridge, 2 wound unisons in the low tenor, rounded case tail = Model O1.

26- bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, rounded case tail = Model O2 or O3.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, squared case tail = Model L.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), straight bass bridge, third bridge in the low tenor = Model A1 85-key or A1 88-key.

20-bass (8 mono 12 bi), straight bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A2.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A3.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 67 dampers = Model B 85-key or B 88-key. 

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 71 dampers = Model C.

20-bass (8 mono, 5 bi, 7 tri) = Model D.

NOTE: Even though I stipulated New York instruments, the one outlier that can confuse is the Model B: if it has 68 dampers rather than 67 it's a Hamburg B.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

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

I would like to post a method for identifying Steinway grand pianos that readership might find easier to navigate than one(s) that have been posted recently in this forum. No offense is intended with my offering.

This list is valid for New York instruments manufactured from roughly 1885 to present. I believe it to be inclusive and accurate, though I welcome corrections. Also, there are several unique identifiers for several of the models - I am merely offering the easiest physical characteristics of each model to spot within a few seconds of observation.

Steinway pianos can be grouped by 26-bass and 20-bass instruments. The 26-bass models are shorter: S,M,O (three iterations), and L. The 20-bass instruments are larger: A (at least three iterations), B,C, and D. Without going too crazy, there are at least three iterations of the model O, and there are other minor differences in other models, but the alphabetic model designation remains constant for that model. (Yes, you really have to know your stuff to nail a Model A, even beyond what I identify here, but remember we're not going crazy). I'm leaving the lengths of the models omitted, because we may rarely have a tape measure on hand in a client's home. So, here we go.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 4 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model S.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 2 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model M.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), straight bass bridge, 2 wound unisons in the low tenor, rounded case tail = Model O1.

26- bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, rounded case tail = Model O2 or O3.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, squared case tail = Model L.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), straight bass bridge, third bridge in the low tenor = Model A1 85-key or A1 88-key.

20-bass (8 mono 12 bi), straight bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A2.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A3.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 67 dampers = Model B 85-key or B 88-key. 

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 71 dampers = Model C.

20-bass (8 mono, 5 bi, 7 tri) = Model D.

NOTE: Even though I stipulated New York instruments, the one outlier that can confuse is the Model B: if it has 68 dampers rather than 67 it's a Hamburg B.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

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

I would like to post a method for identifying Steinway grand pianos that readership might find easier to navigate than one(s) that have been posted recently in this forum. No offense is intended with my offering.

This list is valid for New York instruments manufactured from roughly 1885 to present. I believe it to be inclusive and accurate, though I welcome corrections. Also, there are several unique identifiers for several of the models - I am merely offering the easiest physical characteristics of each model to spot within a few seconds of observation.

Steinway pianos can be grouped by 26-bass and 20-bass instruments. The 26-bass models are shorter: S,M,O (three iterations), and L. The 20-bass instruments are larger: A (at least three iterations), B,C, and D. Without going too crazy, there are at least three iterations of the model O, and there are other minor differences in other models, but the alphabetic model designation remains constant for that model. (Yes, you really have to know your stuff to nail a Model A, even beyond what I identify here, but remember we're not going crazy). I'm leaving the lengths of the models omitted, because we may rarely have a tape measure on hand in a client's home. So, here we go.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 4 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model S.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 2 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model M.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), straight bass bridge, 2 wound unisons in the low tenor, rounded case tail = Model O1.

26- bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, rounded case tail = Model O2 or O3.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, squared case tail = Model L.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), straight bass bridge, third bridge in the low tenor = Model A1 85-key or A1 88-key.

20-bass (8 mono 12 bi), straight bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A2.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A3.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 67 dampers = Model B 85-key or B 88-key. 

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 71 dampers = Model C.

20-bass (8 mono, 5 bi, 7 tri) = Model D.

NOTE: Even though I stipulated New York instruments, the one outlier that can confuse is the Model B: if it has 68 dampers rather than 67 it's a Hamburg B.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

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

Robert (message #6),

I just replied to you privately, by accident, rather than the entire group. When you receive my message kindly post it here. Many thanks.

David

I would like to post a method for identifying Steinway grand pianos that readership might find easier to navigate than one(s) that have been posted recently in this forum. No offense is intended with my offering.

This list is valid for New York instruments manufactured from roughly 1885 to present. I believe it to be inclusive and accurate, though I welcome corrections. Also, there are several unique identifiers for several of the models - I am merely offering the easiest physical characteristics of each model to spot within a few seconds of observation.

Steinway pianos can be grouped by 26-bass and 20-bass instruments. The 26-bass models are shorter: S,M,O (three iterations), and L. The 20-bass instruments are larger: A (at least three iterations), B,C, and D. Without going too crazy, there are at least three iterations of the model O, and there are other minor differences in other models, but the alphabetic model designation remains constant for that model. (Yes, you really have to know your stuff to nail a Model A, even beyond what I identify here, but remember we're not going crazy). I'm leaving the lengths of the models omitted, because we may rarely have a tape measure on hand in a client's home. So, here we go.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 4 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model S.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, 2 wound bichord unisons in the low tenor = Model M.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), straight bass bridge, 2 wound unisons in the low tenor, rounded case tail = Model O1.

26- bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, rounded case tail = Model O2 or O3.

26-bass (10 mono, 16 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, squared case tail = Model L.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), straight bass bridge, third bridge in the low tenor = Model A1 85-key or A1 88-key.

20-bass (8 mono 12 bi), straight bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A2.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, 5 wound unisons in the low tenor = Model A3.

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 67 dampers = Model B 85-key or B 88-key. 

20-bass (8 mono, 12 bi), curved bass bridge, no wound unisons on the long bridge, 71 dampers = Model C.

20-bass (8 mono, 5 bi, 7 tri) = Model D.

NOTE: Even though I stipulated New York instruments, the one outlier that can confuse is the Model B: if it has 68 dampers rather than 67 it's a Hamburg B.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

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