Steingraeber & Söhne: A Rich Tradition of Fine Hand-Made Pianos
The history of piano maker Steingraeber & Söhne began in Thuringia in 1820. In 1852, Steingraeber established itself in Bayreuth, and has been there ever since, and within three decades became Bavaria's most important piano manufacturer - receiving numerous international prizes for their instruments. Today, very little has changed, and the company is still owned and operated, as it has always been, by the Steingraeber family. It is still winning prizes for the world's best grand and best upright pianos (Paris Competition, top class).
Ignoring industrial revolution technology in nearly every aspect, Steingraeber crafts only 60 grand pianos per year, by hand, in what is possibly the world's most unusual piano factory. Recognizing that all structural components produce sound, Steingraeber uses only the most natural and resonating materials. The wood is never impregnated with chemicals, and only natural glues and paints are used in the case and acoustics area. No particle board is ever used in a Steingraeber.
Steingraeber painstakingly selects the spruce used in its soundboards from valleys near Passau in eastern Bavaria. The trees chosen must grow at a minimum of 800 meters above sea level, have a minimum diameter of 45 cm and a minimum age of 150 years. Once the soundboard has been crafted to shape, the thickness is adjusted, which varies from 4.5mm to 9mm. Each soundboard is tested and optimized individually by sprinkling sand over it and then energizing the board to see how the sand responds. Wood is then scraped away until the sculpted area vibrates in such a way that sand bounces up and down evenly. This same process is repeated with every Steingraeber grand, guaranteeing that each instrument will work at the highest possible level. The board is then connected to the rim where nothing short of perfection will do. Every hundredth of a millimeter off is a chance for the strings to press the soundboard in the wrong direction. No gap at all is allowed.
Playing the Steingraeber piano produces energy with minimum loss. By managing to create an action that is ultimately responsive and feels substantial without being heavy, Steingraeber has succeeded in offering an instrument that is a true extension of the human body. The keys stay with your fingers and allow you to play to the utmost of your capabilities. There is an evenness to the touch and a speed to the repetition that is without peer.
The dynamic range also is unmatched; a Steingraeber piano will play with more thundering power and with more delicate subtlety than any other instrument. A unique chain of energy preservers are used including 100% real wood connections, agraffes with steel pins, drilled capo d'astro bar, cast hardening , hardened bridge pins, and no elastic glues. This allows the tone to seem to sing forever.
Steingraebers are available in a variety of stunning finishes, from basic black to the most exotic natural woods. Steingraeber will also customize a finish to match whatever you can imagine.
Steingraeber is also at the very forefront of 21st century piano design. They have partnered with John Dain, and English engineer and designer, and have created the new line of Steingraeber Phoenix Pianos which incorporate several designes which will revolutionize the design of the piano. These pianos have much increased sound resonance and color with much more of a singing effect with greater sustain and less percussive sound and more of a singing tone effect. They also are the first suscessful pianos which can be ordered with a carbon fibre sound board with much greater board stability and life and requiring much less tunings each year.
The Birth of the Steingraeber Phoenix Pianos Encore Pianos is one of only two piano stores in the US with these new pianos.
