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https://www.pianomart.com/buy-a-piano/view?id=40178

I was browsing PianoMart and came across this ad for a Steinway D. It seems like a solid piano on the surface, but it does include a PianoDisc. I was wondering if I were to remove the PianoDisc system, what effect would it have on the touch and sound of the piano?

Ouch! There's another owner/seller who didn't fold the front lid back before propping the lid. Ouch!

Regards,

I do not think that the PianoDisc system makes any difference to the touch, and any change in the sound would be negligible. You could just as well leave it.

+1 Especially if the PianoDisc system still works.

The devil is in the details. Leaving the system will not negatively affect the pianos performance. If you choose, to remove any of it, remove the control box, power supply, speakers and extra wiring, but leave the piston rail and pedal trapwork. The remainder of the system occupies the holes created for installation. Removing those requires filling the holes and replacing all of the trapwork. Additionally, you would need to re-regulate the action.

You may need to have the solonoid rail dropped slightly and then re-regulate. That depends on whether the back of the keys are riding on the solonoids.

Also, there is more than one type of installation. The normal installation for most systems requires a long slot, and moderate cutting of the key frame. Some installs require a much larger slot and major modification to the keyframe that must be reinforced to be stable. We have quite a few hesitations about the long term structural affect of these wide slot installs.

To remove the system, fill holes, replace the trapwork, repair the keyframe and put the piano back like there never was a system...that's a big expense that not many shops do. We're seeing more requests for it, because of the perception of the player system tends to devalue instruments larger than 6' long on the resale market. For some pianos, that cost is still worth it.

Just a thought...

In 1978 there were a lot of bad Steinways made and Ds were no exception to this. Just because it was beloved to this person does not make it a good piano. It would also fall into the teflon years, in case that issue has not yet been dealt with.

Just a caution.

"...Ouch! There's another owner/seller who didn't fold the front lid back before propping the lid. Ouch!..."

And the curtains are ugly, too. Plus what Rich and Sam said.

Keep shopping.

Maybe I'm missing something. Is there damage?

OP, as I understand it, the tech puts small thin sheets of metals on the bottom of each key. Piano disc uses magnetic power to pull down the keys, so it didnt change the action. It seems l like I heard that maybe the pedals can feel a little different.

I'm not 100% sure about this, so someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Just an amateur here but as I understand it, it’s an older PianoDisc system that doesn’t have all the latest and greatest system sensor improvements that the newer systems have. The system is attached to a Steinway D, which until the Spirio system was introduced, was a professional concert level instrument on which the majority of the buyers wouldn’t want a PianoDisc systems installed. Even though the outdated system doesn’t affect the sound or the action it detracts from the Steinway just by being attached. Rich Galassini in his post mentioned that the piano may not be of the same build quality that Steinway is noted for because of the year that particular Steinway was produced.

But it is a Steinway D at a tempting price. If I was in the area, had the room, didn’t already own the piano of my dreams, I’d certainly drive out and at least try it.

Thanks, Some of those older systems can be updated to an iPad system, but again I don't know a lot of details. Also, I guess it doesn't matter either way if someone just hates it being there.

I was curious about the comment about the owner not folding back the front lid before propping it up. I'm not exactly sure what that means. Is there viable damage in fir pictures?

There is no visible damage, but the front lid is not designed to have the lid raised without the front lid being folded back. The piano hinge that holds the front lid to the lid isn't supposed to have the weight of the front lid hanging from it. The failure mode would be that the screws on the piano hinge pull out and the front lid separates from the lid, or the hinge might be deformed. I agree with the other poster, it does make me wince when I look at it.

I’m surprised that no one has mentioned the free gift!

I’ve seen that mentioned on one or two other PianoMart postings from verified sellers. Maybe a free microfiber dust mitt?

Wow, I own a grand piano and I had never heard that. I hadn't given it any thought.

Where do people learn this? Do pianos come with instructions booklets that contain warnings?

I'm not in front of my piano right now, but I will look at it in a few. I can understand that it would have more stress on it with the front lid down while the lid is propped up, but you would think they would use proper materials to withstand the stress.

No doubt, the lid hinges, on the side, have more stress when the lid is propped up, but they are fine.

When I bought my first baby grand, the salesman showed me how to safely open and close the lid, which stick went where, and what to use to clean it. In my book, folding back the fly lid is one of the first steps. Silly me, but it would never occur to me to open the lid without folding the fly lid back.