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In the past few years, S&S-NY has put the 'L' in the storeroom and re-issued the 'O'. That was followed by the NY rebirth of the 'A'. Has anyone heard anything about Astoria (re)introducing the 'C'? That would create the identical lineup as Hamburg.

I think I would prefer that they reintroduce the V in the US.

Interesting. Did Hamburg ever build a 'V'?

They still do!

I don't think so. Really?

Hamburg verticals.

Interesting, now back to the 'C'.

There is an on-going convergence of the manufacturing at both S&S factories. From small details up to large ones (decisions on which models are built) things are becoming more "unified" at Steinway. I believe that mostly, the changes have consisted consist of New York adopting the Hamburg way of doing things. There are exceptions, such as the New York pedal hardware now on Hamburg models. But for the most part, the NY pianos are becoming more and more like the Hamburg pianos. I think this is a good step forward.

Introducing a "new" model to a manufacturing process like Steinway's is a huge undertaking. I can't see that happening more than once in a decade. But one never knows - the winds of change are blowing ever stronger at Steinway.

I'm just curious if there are any rumors floating around, in the biz, about a potential re-introduction of the 'C' for the North American market.

I have a rebuilt/re-scaled 1906 'C' and it is a truly magnificent instrument. It is like playing a superb 'D' without the sheer power to cut through an orchestra. Tonally, it is the same as its bigger brother. I prefer it to the 'B'.

I'll be attending an event featuring S&S President Ron Losby next week. Perhaps I can ask him about plans for a C.

Brought to you compiments of a VERY sharp Korean businessman.

Ask about the V, too. I had a really sweet one years ago. The guy I sold it to really liked it, too. I have an O, and he has a Hamburg B now, so if our experience is typical, the V is a great stepping-stone piano.

Jurgen - That would be great. Thanks!

So what´s about plans for a New York C?

The latest that I was able to find out is the S&S has no plans to reissue the 'C' from the Astoria factory. Apparently they aren't a great seller with the Hamburg, either. The 'B' sets the pace.

It's too bad. The 'C' is a magnificent instrument. It has the full tonal structure and color of the 'D' without the massive, orchestra covering power. The bass will make you weep.

Not only is the bass of the 'C-227' but also that bad news makes me weep.

Well hopefully the Hamburg factory does not stop producing these. They are a rare find. I wonder how many people in America order C's from the Hamburg factory?

Not enough to warrant them making in Astoria.

I think that the C is a far superior model to the B, in fact I've never really liked the B all that much, and for the slight difference in size, you'd think that more people would want a C. I guess though it's not the slight difference in size but the large difference in price that's the problem!

I remember one model C in the RSAMD in Glasgow that was beautiful until for some reason it was relegated to a practice room and a D was put in its place in the small recital hall. The piano ceased to be well maintained and very quickly sounded like a box of nails. I don't know where it is now but it was a 1989 model.

I've played a few in Germany where they seem to be a bit more popular. Steinway Hall in London doesn't even stock them, but they did rebuild one for Haddo House Opera in Aberdeen recently.

I sometimes wonder if the C is a better option for smaller halls, because the automatic choice of the D is sometimes overpowering. In fact I've been in attendance at the Wigmore Hall and spent time wishing that the concert was over because the piano was just too loud, and I was in the back row.

From a musical perspective I'm one of the few who would, if pushed to choose, stop the production of the B but keep the A and C.

Steinway has two locations because of the tariff laws of the 1880's. Both shipping and tariffs are a lot less expensive today, so it makes less sense to tool up in one place to make what you're already making in the other. If demand was outstripping capacity it would be a different story.