Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum More factories; Förster, Steingraeber (again) and Feurich

Thanks Eric,I can't wait to see the home. That picture of them carrying the Liszt Steingraeber up the stairs made me a bit unconfortable. Glad they didn't trip. Again,I'm enjoying the thread. Can't wait to hear what you have in store for us about Feurich.


Terry

This has to be the most enjoyable thread I've read. Thanks, Eric, and I'm eagerly awaiting more.

Most who know me personally, know that a Steingraeber is the 'ultimate' piano tone to me.

The touch is also most gratifying - to play a note 'such' and get the response that one wants. (I melt like a pool of butter, doing so)

This does not negate my love for several other piano mfgs though.

Quote
"isn't tonal diversity wonderful?"

Yes, absolutely! Many have beautiful tones and can stir my being into musical fantasyland.

But the Steingraeber makes my heart skip a beat more than most!

Having played a few, having met Udo Steingraber at Allegro Pianos, and now having seen pics of the factory, is there anything more that could make me fall in love - than to tour the factory where these pianos are crafted?

Why yes!

To own one!!!

Thanks for sharing, Eric.

Thanks for the tour, Eric.

I have only toured the Grotrian facility, so it's nice to get a vicarious introduction to other makers. BTW, Grotrian likely would be another of the higher rim tension makes.

Thanks for the pics of the August Forster factory. It reinforces my choice in pianos.

Thanks so much Eric, that was a great lunchtime read.

It's curious that many pianists (including myself) have little or no idea about what goes into making these miraculous instruments, even if they've been playing their whole lives. Now I've discovered PW, I'm enjoying the education

Thanks for your work on this post Eric, I am really enjoying it!!

What the heck!!! Is he doing that by hand!!!!

Facinating piano and Udo is a great guy. I have enjoyed a few beers with him in the past and think very highly of his pianos.
And I felt that way before the beers

Must make it to Bayreuth.... Thanks Eric - this is next best thing to being there.

Eric,
Great photos and narrative of your visit to Germany.
Early this September I too had the opportunity of visiting the Steingraeber factory. (Have just become the Steingraeber representative/dealer in Toronto and Eastern Canada)

Did you get a chance to see the soundboard work where they test the full area of the soundboards using sand, then hand plane accordingly? I had heard of this in faint whispers (not exactly sure where) but finally seeing it was a great revelation for me.

I don't want to intrude on this ongoing post...so carry on!! All those who haven't yet had the chance to visit these fine German factories are receiving a wonderful treat by you sharing your visit on PW.

John
The sand technique you mention is called Chaldni modal analysis

you can see it applied to a viola here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HwPw3YEwSQ

a plate here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtiSCBXbHAg

and on a classic piano lecture by Conklin

http://www.speech.kth.se/music/5_lectures/conklin/howdoes.html

It is very powerfull to see the vibration modes, but I guess it takes lots of experience to modify them correctly.

Eric
Thanks for all the shared material
Regards
Krikorik

Thanks for all the positive comments. I've been laid low by something I picked up from that &*$!@$# in the row ahead of me on the flight back. He coughed the whole flight!

Feurich will come soon.

The photo with Udo in it shows the end result of the sand technique. If you look closely you can see a fine line of light colored sand collected on the outer edge of the soundboard. This is what they want at the end of the process.

Eric,

Thanks for sharing such wonderful pictures and stories. It is great to hear about the different factories and see such wonderful pictures of places I have never been.

Marcus

PS get well soon

A very enjoyable post Eric.
Very much appreciated.

Eric,

I KNEW I liked you for some reason!

Great post.

Thanks.

Steve...
Buying an ad wasn't enough?

Are you implying that I can be bought for the price of an ad???

[Truth is, I'd turn in my mother for a 1/4 page ad!]

So how many manufacturers make use of the Chaldni modal analysis? Is it quite common? It seems like a very integral part of creating a decent soundboard?

Eric hope you are feeling better. When is the next edition to log your visit to Feurich? I'm anxiously awaiting.



Terry