Boston by Steinway & Sons 5’10” Living Room Grand Piano.

  A synthesis of advanced technology and the highest musical standards, Steinway & Sons launched its Boston line of pianos in 1992 in order to offer an affordable alternative to their admittedly expensive hand-crafted musical instruments. They are designed by Steinway engineers using the most sophisticated computer modeling and proven patents, concepts and materials. Then they are built in the main Kawai piano factory in Hamamatsu, Japan with the streamlined manufacturing they have perfected. Having them built in Japan, Steinway takes advantage of the efficiency and high technology of their manufacturing process and combines it with their own old-world standards of artistry and craftsmanship. The result is an affordable high-end piano synonymous with the Steinway name. This Boston model GP-178 II grand piano and the other four models have been sold only through select Steinway & Sons dealerships. Boston pianos are used exclusively by a number of prestigious music schools and festivals including Aspen, Bowdoin, Brevard, Ravinia and Tanglewood.

This strikingly beautiful instrument was purchased locally in 1996 at Washburn Piano Co., the Steinway & Sons piano dealership at the time. It is finished in a lovely polished red mahogany polyester resin finish that will “pop” and be the focal point of any formal living room. It has spent its entire life so far in Albuquerque so it is happily acclimated and adjusted to our unique and arid climate. It is a one-owner who thought it worthwhile to professionally maintain it with qualified technicians. The piano is in excellent condition – structurally and aesthetically. It required very little attention in our restoration shop. It has minimal amounts of wear throughout the action and trapwork. It should provide the new owner decades of musical passion and be a “forever piano”. It is an absolute pleasure to play. The original bench is included. Professional, local first-floor delivery is also included.

Several design elements are identical to the Steinway piano. Both use beams underneath that have radial bracing that reinforces both rims and contributes to the longevity of the soundboard crown. The vertically laminated bridges provide better tonal transmission and transfer of power. The Steinway patented hammer flanges are rosette-shaped to match the hammer rail to allow more accurate hammer spacing, and their duplex-scale design with agraffes that are tuned enhances the treble tone quality. Boston piano-actions incorporate many of Steinway’s refinements and their patents issued by the US Patent Office. All of the action parts are traditional quarter-sawn hardwoods and not cheaper plastic materials used in some pianos. The middle pedal is a true Sostenuto function, another Steinway patent. Thinner, tapered premium solid Sitka spruce soundboards measuring 6mm – 8mm, and a low-tension scale design account for that classic Steinway duration of tone (sustain) and clarity at the bass end. It also has the “singing treble” that Steinway & Sons pianos are well-known for, and other pianos aspire to.

At 5’-10” long, it is larger than the average Living Room grand piano so the string length will be longer (53.5” – #1 String Speaking Length) and they will vibrate longer for that increased Boston sustain. Additionally, it has a very wide tail design, so it performs like a much larger instrument to begin with. The wide tail design of the case means that this 5’-10” grand has the same soundboard area (2020 square-inches) as a typical 6’-2” grand piano. Additionally, this allows the bass bridge to be located closer to the lively, central part of the soundboard and that results in a much better bass response. Steinway & Sons officials claim this innovation establishes the Boston piano as having an entirely new concept in piano design. Most listeners believe they have a warmer, more mellow tonal color and musicality than other pianos built in that part of the world.

An affordable Steinway & Sons designed piano.

Premium-quality Mapes bass strings.

Grey iron, bronze-painted and lacquered.