Steinway Model O | M. Steinert & Sons

Steinway Model O Overview

This was the first of the Steinway “Miniature” grands–O (5’10 3/4”), M (5’ 7”), L (5’10.5”)– manufactured before the Great Depression and all designed by one man–Henry Ziegler, the son of Doretta Steinway Ziegler, the daughter of Henry Steinway, the founder of Steinway & Sons. Henry Ziegler was a design genius that perfected the largest Steinway, and also created most of the smallest Steinways. Steinways have no cousins, only siblings. The reintroduction of the round tail Model O in 2005 (replacing the 5’10” Model L) has delighted pianists with its balanced tone, rich bass and ultra-responsive action.

The Model O & Steinert History

The Model O(5’10”) was introduced in 1900. Only 3 years earlier, in 1897, Alexander Steinert called the Bryant & Stratton Business School, and asked them to send their brightest young bookkeeper for an opening in the Boston store. Jerome F. Murphy, 16, answered the call and started at the Steinert office on January 14, 1897 at a salary of $6.00 per week.

During the great depression, the Murphy family acquired M. Steinert & Sons and still runs it today.

Dimensions

Length: 5′ 10¾” (180cm)
Width: 57¾” (147 cm)
Net Weight: 662 pounds (300 kg)

Braces

3 solid spruce with a volume of 1,253 cu. In. (20,528cm3); Spruce provides tensile strength with less weight. Maple dowels fasten braces to rim producing a single homogenous foundation upon which is built the entire tonal component. The Steinway & Sons iron wedge anchors brace ends securely to crossblock assuring permanent rim posture.

Scale

Overstrung; combination agraffe; Front AND rear duplex. Tension: 41,888 lbs. (19,000 kg)

Ribs

Made from durable, resinous sugar pine to assure strong and constant support of string down-bearing on the soundboard. Rib ends are hand-fitted into their mounting surfaces, virtually locking in the important soundboard crown.

Tuning Pins

Premium blued steel; rust-resistant, nickeled heads

Strings

Treble: Ten whole & onehalf sizes from high-tensile Swed-ish steel. Bass: Swedish steel core wire wound with pure copper. Longest, Agraffe/bridge: 54 1/8” (137 cm)

Hammers

Premium wool top felt and under felt; treated to resist insects and moisture. Compression-wired to maintain permanent shape. Hard rock maple hammer moldings and shanks.

Dampers

Horizontal-cut premium wool for effective dampening with maple heads for endurance.

Keys

European spruce, individually weighed-off. Chip-proof, stainresistant coverings for naturals; slip-proof, delicately abraded ebonized sharps. Tough, durable Linden wood buttons reinforce keys over balance rail permitting maximum tonal power with every strike. Longest: 19” (48.3 cm)

Keybed

Made from planks of quarter-sawn spruce. Horizonal and vertical birch planks present a vented system for humidity escapement. Crowned and reverse-crowned action frame gives a snug fit, intensifies key movement and prevents “slapping” during heavy playing. Large maple dowel ends provide a solid mount for adjustable brass touch-regulating screws. Thickness: 1¾” (4.45 cm).

Pedals

Heavy, solid brass. Soft, sustaining, and full sostenuto.

MODEL O

Living Room Grand

Steinway Model O Overview

The Model O & Steinert History

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