A couple of years back, I bought a 1911 Steinway A. It had been owned by the same family since 1935 and had some amount of rebuilding done in the past, but it was over 40 years ago. I knew it was going to need work when I bought it, being as old as it is. I spent a year researching and learning a lot about piano building and how they work. Originally, I contacted Steinway for a quote. I knew it would be an expensive project but I was really put off by how much they wanted. I eventually spoke with Rich Galassini from Cunningham Piano who recommended Dale Erwin up in Modesto, California. I spoke with Dale off and on for a few months and, as he happened to be visiting my town last year, he and his wife stopped by my house to take a look at it. He gave me a quote, and while not cheap, it was not as hard to swallow as Steinway’s quote.
I was finally ready to have the work done by last fall, and on November 20th, my piano began its journey to Modesto. It took close to seven months, but Wednesday I took a drive up north and tested it out. Here are some before and after shots. The case was in really good condition, as were the ivory keys. Everything else, including the sound board got replaced except for the keys, the plate and the case. I recognized my piano’s voice, but the tone is much better, more pure.
