Why Vintage Steinways are Amazing

If you've watched my videos, you'll likely know that I'm not exactly a fan of newer Steinways, especially when it comes to their business decisions and customer relations in recent times. However, a good vintage Steinway is definitely something I enjoy, especially one that's been rebuilt at DC Pianos!

[@richardsorey8611]

I’m still amazed at your ability and your expressions and touch.

[@carlbowles1808]

Reminds me of the Steinway I played in college that was tuned after every recital. This piano makes the sun shine in my mental sky.

[@radiorexandy]

Enjoyed the elaboration on your test piece! And, the Bach music is so soul-soothing. Thank you.

[@FlockofAngels]

Beautiful playing, large sound, it needs a grand concert hall to give it wings.... 😇

[@gospeltech1926]

I really enjoy that song. Whenever I hear you play it I find myself thinking of all the time that has passed and how my children have grown up. I dont know what you felt when you composed it but it is a moving piece.

[@tylerrichman9]

I really enjoyed the expansion/extension of your test piece.

[@vickypollardslittlebrother8710]

Whenever I see someone playing Bachs Prelude in c major, I try to spot that very special moment, when the musician completely sinks in into this masterpiece. And you got it. I like it, when people have a kind of harmonic relationship with the music they play. Great work, I really like your cute and friendly warm smile. I can like this video just once, but have two thumbs up. By the way, I'm from Braunschweig, home of Steinweg and Schimmel. What a coincidence 😏

[@lostinbeauty7129]

What a warm, delicious sound! I love this piano too. Also really liked the expanded version of your original test piece. Just lovely. Hope you're having in fun California. Thanks, James.

[@hansroemerszoonvanderbrikk7626]

Wow this time it's the first comment ;) The Steinway voice is so elegant, always, you can play gently or sforzato and still it's elegant. On vintage Steinways it's even more elegant, I definitely love it! Thanks for the review!

[@hilariorodriguez1511]

👏👏👏😍😍That fantastic extended tests piece of yours sounds so good and soothing as well👍👏👏👏🎹🎼🎶🎵🤗🚴🚴🏼‍♀️🚴

[@davidgottfried5819]

I love how a 1960 model L is "old"! My Model L is from 1927. LOL

[@Thiago-px9ev]

I have a Pleyel from 1906 ahahah, still works nicely

[@mrderp911]

The revised test piece sounded really good!

[@GUPRPEET-Singh]

Sir can you please tell me the name of this test piece??

[@atvalleau]

That piano is just a year older than I am! Do you suppose DC Piano would be willing to refurbish ME?

[@ebojeff]

I had an old vintage like this, best sound ever! I miss it so much. Lots of work because wight/transport/space, but if you got the money etc, go for it. It will be a lifetime experience for understanding the ability of piano sounds.

[@JitinMisra]

nice playing, nice piano!

[@dagnyjackson6381]

I really enjoyed the expanded test piece. Thank you.

[@The_Smith]

Nice work on the expanded test piece, is a good start.

[@pauljackson7877]

Beautiful song! Now make it available for purchase because I'd love to play it also!

[@sovlsoar1014]

Amazing! love the you made song :)

[@georgiaguardian4696]

Th complete piece sounds great, better than just th beginning!

[@prestige2000rider]

You are SO right about this ! For those that have a vintage hang on to it. For those looking, check out the earlier instruments. My piano teacher had one from YR 1951 ,9 'concert grand. Very few other grands could touch it .

[@TheCynedd]

This will make someone a great piano. I like the expansion of your test piece. BTW that is one of the first Bach Preludes I learned/wanted to learn when I first started piano lessons (I also played it on my Hammond C3). Another great video JPS. 👍😊🎹🎼

[@elizabethkoren9428]

Great video!!! I love your reviews! They are informative and fun. I love the expansion of your original test piece. Could you do a tutorial video of how to play it?

[@cannedmusic]

The piano my mom and I picked out was a 77 Story and Clark console, the one that had the square legs, square/rectangular music rest. It sounded rather nice. I kind of miss it. I am not sure if they all sounded like it did, but, it had a really beautiful sound/tone/resonance. I realize it was probably the K car of its time, but, if you ever find one, would you mind doing a review of it, I would like to see if the design had a certain sound, or if the one I had was unique. Thanks, James. The extension of your test piece is really nice.

[@boblon5693]

they can all sound good. the only issue with them is the base will sound muddy due to the inharmonicity caused by the short string length. But thats not to say its bad. As a piano technitian I am exposed to many different pianos and often times find myself working on or rebuilding 70k dollar instruments and will compare those spinnets and consols to the 9 foot bossendufor I just played an hour earlier. Not to mention its far harder to tune than a larger piano which makes my job take longer for the same price rate.

[@harddriveusame7248]

I like that new version of the test tune. 😀

[@rodsalvador3608]

I love our 1922 Model O! It's the warmest piano I have ever played, even as an older restoration. We are saving to do a restoration on the action, strings and soundboard if needed. I actually love the old patina as evidence of the piano's century of life; we're not refinishing the case, pedals, harp or anything cosmetic. But I'm sort of a weird guy that likes that stuff.

[@joeshmoe7967]

I am a weird guy that way too. Restoring a vintage piano to look new would be a crime. Getting it back to playable would be a gift of joy

[@brucetominello7440]

I couldn’t agree more. My 1886 Model C was a dream to play with the original action still playable. It now resides on the Mezzanine of the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix at the entrance to the European Collections. Check it out!

[@connork.7934]

The test piece is wild bro

[@moldenburg909]

Nice old piano. Sounds good, alright it needs another tuning but still it sounds really nice and warm. I like your extended testpiece it goes almost from side to side. The “new” testpiece works fine. Certainly the way you play it. Smooth and nice! Thank you for sharing.

[@johnp.1460]

I love your channel! In fact, I followed your reviews and bought a Kawai MP 11 SE, and I’m so glad I did. Have you played the restored Steinway D currently at DC Piano? I’m in the early stages of shopping for a restored model D, and wondered what you thought about it. Thanks.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

So what's happened, James? Is it a lapse in quality? Is it the soundboard design? The harp? Something's changed and not for the better. It seems Steinway has gone for loads of power and projection but there's a sweetness missing. I don't know. Maybe the new ones will age and improve though I doubt it.

[@ThePianoforever]

Steinway is just heading in the wrong direction and it seems they just don't care anymore about what customers think about them.

[@davidcunningham7330]

@@ThePianoforever Why ... are they heading in the wrong direction? Please be specific.

[@bujin5455]

I seriously hope you finish that piece one day, and name it something other than "test piece." lol

[@rikspector]

Nice job of working around that sticky key:)

[@IvoryTechniques]

If you are ever in South Texas, come play my 1927 Steinway B rebuilt by Priscilla Rappaport from Round Rock, TX!

[@fatheroftwo852]

I forgot to say; thank you very much for the very intricate, and lovely review on this piano! If I had the chance to, I would look for lots of different pianos, but it seems my age has limited me from doing this.

[@magdavelas]

Now add an orchestral accompaniment and turn the expanded test piece into a piano concerto. 😁

[@Modeltnick]

Good piano. It seams like there was a mark in time when the quality of materials and workmanship started to wane. Thanks for posting this!

[@martian-sunset]

I still miss my 1920 B (rebuilt) and that was a long time ago. Replaced with a Yamaha C2, very good but not the same..

[@jamesmclauchlin2600]

Do you have sheet music/chords for the updated test piece?

[@duanequam7709]

Perfect.

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

I had a sticky c4 when I got my piano and with a bit of playing it came loose and no problems for years... Then a friend came over and he has HEAVY hands and he mashed the hell out of the keys that night. Now, sticky again.

[@kellydavis4330]

Have the C4 bushings looked at and replaced if needed during your next tuning

[@boblon5693]

it also could be a regulation issue. the fact that it went away and came back makes me think something is not aligned right and the change in temperature moves the action so that it sticks and doesnt. but bushings could also be the issue. your piano yechnitian will know when he looks at it

[@TndPonyMusic2018]

This version of your test piece should have a orchestral or have a guitar added for some melodic leads

[@fatheroftwo852]

I agree with you on your opinions on new and old Steinways. Old ones have such a lovely heritage, and back then they had lovely customer service; as of late, they have been going downhill in a way. They've become a staple for pianos for no reason. I'm much more of a Bosendorfer, and Thurmer person, as they offer unique sounds that most other companies don't offer.

[@leatherzeppelin_krystalserpent]

DOOO A KORG SV2 REVIEW PLEAAASEEE THAT THING IS FIRE 🔥

[@mimoochodom2684]

That's my piano!

[@vadergrd]

i love your channel and i am not even an mediocre piano player! :|

[@dapro2848]

Now that's a test piece.

[@ahavekost49]

Can you play something by Ray Charles?

[@ThePianoforever]

That might be fun!

[@rotsteineva]

😍😍😍

[@IrminZ]

Please email me one of those pianos

[@robgrune3284]

tone. Steinways remind me of glass shattering.

[@martinvegas1327]

First!