Welcome to LivingPianos.com, I’m Robert Estrin. Today I’m talking about a piano mystery, the Steinway Model C. You may already be familiar with the Steinway Models B and D, but if not, I’m going to give you a quick rundown. Virtually all new Steinways sold in North America are made in New York. There’s the Model S at 5′ 1″, the very popular Model M at 5′ 7″, then the Model L (now the O) at 5′ 10 1/2″. Then it skips all the way to the Model B at 6′ 11″, and then to the concert grand, which is just under nine feet. So there’s a big gap there.
What about in Hamburg?
In Hamburg, Germany, where Steinways are also made, they never produced the Model L, but they have the Model O, which is also 5′ 10 1/2″, but a different scale design. And they also have the Model A at 6′ 2″. Some of them were actually a little longer; the Model A3 is 6′ 4″ which was made in New York for a brief period of time early in the 20th century. The model A was made in New York only in the early part of the twentieth century. Now the model A is made in both Hamburg and New York. In fact, they make all the same models: S, M, O (not the L anymore), A, B, and the concert grand model D.
What is the model C?
The Model C was made in New York up until 1905. Then they had limited numbers of them made all the way up to 1936. The Model C has not been made in New York since 1936. But the model C, at 7′ 5″, is still made in Hamburg. The speculation as to why the model C is not made in New York is that it would interfere too much with the sale of their popular Model B, which is the quintessential semi-concert grand at just under seven feet. But there’s still no reason why this great scale design shouldn’t be made in New York. I think it would be terrific for people in this hemisphere to be able to buy a Steinway C without having to go to the expense of buying a German piano imported overseas all the way to the United States.
Do you think Steinway should make the Model C in New York?
I am very interested in your opinions on this! I’m putting this out here because I’d like to know why the heck they don’t make a Steinway C in New York! I think it would be a great addition to the line. It is a fabulous scale design, and there are so few of them in the United States. To me, it’s one of the great piano mysteries. Leave your comments at LivingPianos.com and YouTube! Thanks again for joining me, Robert Estrin, here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Resource.
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9 thoughts on “Piano Mysteries: The Steinway Model C”
I appreciate your “Model C Plea” outreach here, but Steinway will listen to you about as well as they listen to an NYC meter maid.
I got to play a model C for a few years – my teacher in graduate school had a pair of them in his studio. I’m sure I haven’t seen another one.
We have one which will be listed for sale on LivingPianos.com soon!
I own a 1891 Steinway C , 88 note, with a new soundboard, pinblock, Agraffes, GC Bass strings, all new Abel action , with Abel Natural Hammers.
It is just breaking in, and it has a depth and warmth of sound that is overwhelming. It dwarfs the B sitting next to it. Next week it goes to the refinisher. After that it will be for sale, although I do not know what to ask. Everyone who plays it is enveloped with its extraordinary tone.
I own a Steinway C made in 1891. It has 88 notes, and has a new soundboard, pinblock,
GC bass strings, and new Abel action, with Abel Natural hammers. It is a marvelous
Piano, with a warmth and depth of sound that dwarfs my 1913 B sitting in the same room.
It will be at the refinishers starting 10/21/2023. Satin Ebony. I am not sure what the asking price should be. Everyone who plays it is overwhelmed by the unique quality and power.
We have an art-case model C that is rebuilt and refinished as well. You will see the listing soon!
I wonder if they have the tooling for the C in NY. Most of the small tools are generic to all models, but there are a few big ticket special tools that are model specific. Like the form for casting the plate (which would actually be at O.S. Kelly in Ohio), and the form they laminate the case around.
Of course they had the C tooling in NY up to 1936, I wonder if maybe they sent it to Germany in 1945. The whole Hamburg factory was destroyed in the war, they might have done that to get Hamburg re-started a little quicker.
Who would know Steinway history from 70 – 90 years ago?
My guess is that it comes down to their market assessment. But it really is a mystery!
I have a model c
Look it up on chupps its the 1894 model.. its the most dynamic pianoni have ever played and yes New York shoukd make it currently. Yamaha has the c7 and shigeru the sk7. The bass on the model b is very shallow compared to the c7 and sk7.
I also own an sk7. It plays beautifully but is very mild and lacks character compared to the steinway 7. At least the 1894. Its a total rebuild but steinway installed a modern duplex scale plate in it in 1930.
Its a rare instrument indeed but the bass is absolutely amazing and even more dynamic that the bass in a 1920 steinway d i have that is absolutely wonderful and velvety with a very warm strong bass but the model c actualy has more grit and is more dynamic in the bass. The c is loaded with character and very crisp top to bottom.
The sky7 plays beautifully but id much rather hear music recored on the model c. Much more character and harmonics and dynamic