Steinway & Sons, model O Sheraton (Sketch #617a),5’10½” Art Case Grand

PIANO:   Steinway & Sons, model O Sheraton (Sketch #617a),5’10½” Grand, serial # 147554

 Finish:   High Polished Honduras Mahogany in Art-Case design

Description:    This is one of the most rare Steinway & Sons model O, 5’10” grands in a special Art Case with double gated legs and stretcher connecting legs and lyre.  This is the special (Sketch No. 617a “Sheraton,”) corresponds to a New York Grand Model O Honduras Mahogany, Sketch No. 617a “Sheraton,” completed on December 3, 1910, and shipped to former dealer Cluett & Sons of Albany, New York, on June 5, 1911.  From my research, there may have been 2 to 4 made EVER!!  This piano was purchased in 1994, completely rebuilt and refinished a new soundboard from Beethoven Pianos in NYC.  The owners were professional artists who collected very fine things and moved from Cambridge, NY to Virginia and had to part with the piano.  This is an incredible find in a piano from the Golden Age of Steinway.  If new, this piano would cost easily over $130,000 if the wood were available which it is not!  It is truly a magnificent instrument and a museum piece.  One of the best sounding and playing pianos you can find—a true musician’s instrument—and a buy of a lifetime!

Steinway & Sons, model O, Louis XV, 5’10½” Grand & Bench

PIANO:   Steinway & Sons, model O, Louis XV,   5’10½” Grand & Bench, serial # 190934

Finish:   Hand Carved Louis XV in Figured English Mahogany

Description:    This rare Louis XV Steinway model O was reputedly owned by the famous composer, Rudolf Friml.  Made in New York on November 21, 1918, this piano’s original owner was Louis G. Myers, 102 Waverly Place, NYC.  Assuming he sold the piano to the famous Mr. Friml, this instrument was subsequently purchased used by a very prominent industrialist and his wife for their daughter in the mid-1950’s at which time the piano was refinished to its current condition. Replete with famous Steinway features like Diaphramatic Soundboard, Hexagrip Maple Pinblock, and made in the Golden Period of Steinway, this piano was restrung and had new highly-prized Steinway pre-War hammers installed prior to WWII and before the current owner acquired it.  This rare model has been completely reconditioned to concert-level performance while retaining the old world sound and quality.  This piano had very little playing on the new hammers and is truly a beautiful sounding and playing piano—a true musician’s instrument!  This is a true blessing to have and work on and is a bona-fide musician’s piano with supreme musicality, furniture and provenance!!  Beyond Rare!

Baldwin, model L, 6'3" Artist Grand

PIANO: Baldwin, model L, 6’3” Artist Grand &  Matching Duet Bench, serial # 174909

Finish:   Ebony Satin in Lacquer Finish.

Description: Famous for their dominance in the American Piano market, Baldwin has been the #1 selling American piano through the late 90’s.  This piano, made in Cincinnati, OH  in the Fall of 1966,  is in immaculate condition having had sparing use. For many years, the Baldwin Artist Grands, the upper line of Baldwin, have been renowned as a very sturdy and sought after piano for school and institutional use.  Known for its warm sound, Baldwin Artist Grands and are built very beautifully in this period. This Artist Grand Model L,  which features the highly prized Baldwin hammers before the 70s  due to better wool felt, has very large tone for its size that delivers a 7’ sound in a 6’ size--delivering rich tone that does not get strident!

Powerful and sonorous, it has a huge bass and very beautiful treble with a buttery smooth, responsive action.  This Grand incorporates Baldwin features like, Synchro-tone bass strings, Baldwin plate mounting system and more. It has been completely reconditioned including action regulated and hammers voiced in the German manner. This is a fabulous find in a true performance grand piano made by an heirloom manufacturer and a very rare opportunity to find a professional grade Baldwin Grand in such fine condition!!! 

Steinway model O, Louis XV 5'10" Grand

PIANO: Steinway model O, Louis XV 5'10" Grand & Matching Bench, serial #190934
Finish:  Hand-carved Figured English Mahogany in High Gloss Lacquer
Description: This rare Louis XV Steinway model O was reputedly owned by the famous composer, Rudolf Friml.  Made in New York on November 21, 1918, this piano's original owner was Louis G. Myers, 102 Waverly Place, NYC.  Assuming he sold the piano to the famous Mr. Friml, operetta and movie composer;  this instrument was subsequently purchased by a very prominent industrialist and his wife for their daughter in the mid-1950's at which time the piano was refinished to its current look.  Replete with famous Steinway features like Diaphramatic Soundboard, Hexagrip Maple Pinblock, and mid in the Golden Period of Steinway, this piano was restrung and had new highly-prized pre-war hammers installed prior WWII and before the current owner acquired it.  This rare model has been completely reconditioned to concert-level performance while retaining the old-world sound and quality.  This piano had very little playing on the new hammers and is a truly beautifully sounding and playing piano --a true musician's instrument!  It is such a rare item to retain the old sweet, singing Steinway tone of yesteryear and have a bona-fide heirloom with supreme musicality, furniture and provenance.

This piano comes with a letter of provenance from Steinway & Sons and is truly one of the most unique items we ever have had in our shop!

Yamaha, model G3, 6'0" Professional Grand #3490622

PIANO: Yamaha, model G3, 6'0" Professional Grand & Bench, serial # 3490622

Finish:  Ebony Polish

Description:  Yamaha Pianos, made in Japan, are very well designed instruments and are internationally recognized as world class pianos of exceptional value.  This model was made for the professional market as a high quality performance instrument.  Built in the Hamamatsu factory in the Spring of 1982, it was purchased later that year by a dealer.  Bought from the same dealer in Oregon who went bankrupt, this piano was part of his large unused rental inventory.  It appears to be a Metropolitan Opera Loan Piano where Yamaha lends instrument for a short period for promotional reasons.  The piano is in impeccable condition and appears to have been hardly used.  Having a huge tone, very even touch and sound, we only had to regulate the action and voice the piano in the German manner as it needed little else.  This piano is built better than its newer Yamaha cousins due to a less brighter and more traditional European sound than the newer Yamaha Grands.  Also, it is unusual to find such a fine performance instrument that has not been heavily used -- clearly an unusual value and pedigree!

KAWAI, KG2D, 5’10” Professional Grand Piano

PIANO:  KAWAI,  KG2D, 5’10” Professional Grand Piano & Bench,       

serial # 1465126

Finish:   Ebony Polish Finish.

Description:  Kawai is one of the famous Japanese Piano builders who specialize in fine craftmanship and a warm rich tone in their pianos.  Favored by conservatories and teachers around the world,  Kawai has created their reputation based on their deep understanding of European piano building and partnerships with famous makers like Ibach and now Steinway.  Kawai builds the Boston Pianos for Steinway and this endorsement should say enough about their quality of manufacture.  This piano was manufactured new late in 1983 and was made in the Hammamatsu factory in Japan.  The comparable new model is the 5’11” GX-2 that lists for almost $31,395.  This piano was extremely well-cared for and was owned by very wealthy people who NEVER played the piano.The piano is virtually like new with a very warm, rich tone especially after the German voicing we performed.   

This is an uncommon find to get European tone at Japanese price!  Very Unique!!

KAWAI, model 500, 5’9½” Grand Piano

PIANO:  KAWAI, model 500, 5’9½” Grand Piano & Bench,  serial # 330913

 Finish:   Ebony Satin Finish.

Description:  Kawai is one of the famous Japanese Piano builders who specialize in fine craftsmanship and a warm rich tone in their pianos.  Favored by conservatories and teachers around the world,  Kawai has created their reputation based on their deep understanding of European piano building and partnerships with famous makers like Ibach and now Steinway.  Kawai builds the Boston Pianos for Steinway and this endorsement should say enough about their quality of manufacture.  This piano was manufactured new in mid-1968 and was made in the Hamamatsu factory in Japan.  The comparable new model is the 5’10” GX-2 that lists for over $31,000.  This piano was extremely well-cared for and was owned by a local executive family. Purchased used in Pleasanton, CA over 25 years ago, this piano spent its last 18 years in this area.  It is the predecessor to the famous KG-2 model although this model was much stronger and more “European” in tone.  Note the huge warm sound. 

A fantastic instrument for the serious musician.

Steinway & Sons, model L, 5’10½” Grand & Artist bench, serial # 396191

PIANO:   Steinway & Sons, model L, 5’10½” Grand& Artist bench, serial # 396191

 Finish:   Satin Ebony in rubbed lacquer finish

Description:    From a fine musician who loved this piano in Delmar, this piano was hand-selected in Steinway Hall in NYC.   Made in New York in early 1966, this instrument was exceptionallywell maintained and the original soundboard is immaculate. Replete with famous Steinway features like Diaphramatic Soundboard, Hexagrip Maple Pinblock, Accelerated action with Permafree bushings, this piano will last easily for 100 years if well-maintained. The piano is original and has been completely reconditioned to concert-level performance. The Ebonized finish has been hand-rubbed to its original sheen.  This piano has a beautiful tone and has a treble much like the 9’ Concert Grand! In June of 2000, Rand Reeves, noted rebuilder, installed new Nu-tone English Hammers and Tokiwa shanks and flanges. It is generally agreed that these parts are superior to New York Steinway OEM parts. This piano had very little playing on the new hammers and is truly a beautiful sounding and playing piano—a true musician’s instrument!

Yamaha, G3, 6’0” Professional Grand & Bench, serial #85865

PIANO:    Yamaha,  G3,  6’0” Professional Grand & Bench,  serial #85865

Finish:     Ebony Polish Finish

Description:  Yamaha Pianos, made in Japan, are very well designed instruments and are internationally recognized as world class pianos of exceptional value.  This model was made for the professional market as a high quality performance instrument.  Designed to be a sweeter elegant sounding model, this piano was built in the Hamamatsu factory in 1969.  Bought from a bankrupt dealer in Oregon, this piano was part of his unused rental inventory. It has been completely rebuilt and refinished with factory hammers and parts, new strings, new pinblock and original soundboard and bridges.  This piano appears to have been hardly used.  It has a uniquely warm tone and very even touch and sound.  We only had to regulate the action and voice the hammers as it needed little else.  The piano is built better than its newer Yamaha cousins due to a less brighter and more traditional European sound than the newer Yamaha Grands. This is a unique find in a fine piano that is like brand new at less than half the price of a new one!