This unusual view is not one that you will readily see, not even if involved in the piano trade. The huge steel casting suspended high in mid air is of a Steinway model D concert grand plate. This was removed today from the inner body of the piano known as ‘the rim’. We have just started work on a 40 year old model D grand restoration for the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and I jumped down from the driving seat of the reach truck to take this shot while it was being transferred to the upper floor of our workshops for storage.
We have been asked to make a photographic record of the restoration that will last over 6 months, to keep up to date with progress why not ‘like’ our Facebook page where further images will be added as the work unfolds.
The Steinway family revolutionised piano making in the 1870′s and 80′s with their ground breaking developments in many areas of piano construction. One such area was in the casting of plates and this familiar shape must have been gazed upon by millions of people over the last century and more. I have never personally seen a piano plate being cast but I can only imagine and admire the skill involved to produce such a part. The reach truck of course made easy work of handling the plate but I can assure any of you wondering….yes, it is very, very heavy!
