Steinway Model D Concert Grand Piano (Pre-1970, Hamburg): The Ultimate Instrument
The Steinway Model D is the concert grand piano by which all other concert grand pianos are measured. At nearly nine feet in length, it is the largest piano Steinway produces and the instrument of choice for the world's concert halls and the artists who perform in them. Among Model D instruments, the pre-1970 examples from the Hamburg factory occupy a particularly revered position in the market for exceptional pianos.
Steinway and Sons: The Standard of Excellence
Steinway and Sons was founded in New York in 1853 by German immigrant Heinrich Steinweg (Henry Steinway). The company opened a Hamburg factory in 1880 to serve the European market, and the two factories have operated in parallel ever since, each producing instruments with slight but audiophile-detectable differences in character.
The Hamburg factory is considered by many concert pianists and technicians to produce instruments with a slightly different tonal character than the New York factory: generally described as having a somewhat more complex, even darker, voicing compared to the New York instruments' brighter, more immediately projecting sound. Whether one prefers Hamburg or New York is a matter of musical taste, but many European concert halls and pianists specifically prefer Hamburg instruments.
Why Pre-1970 Hamburg Steinways Are Special
Several factors make pre-1970 Hamburg Model D instruments particularly sought-after:
Older-growth wood: The soundboards and other wooden components of pre-1970 instruments were made from older-growth spruce and other woods that grew more slowly and had denser, more consistent grain than wood available from modern forestry. This older wood, now seasoned for 50-plus years, contributes to the tonal character of these instruments.
Hand craftsmanship: Pre-1970 manufacturing involved somewhat more hand work in key areas than later more automated production. This isn't to say modern Steinways are inferior, but there are differences in how instruments from different eras were constructed.
Seasoning: A great piano improves over its first several decades as its wooden components stabilize and the instrument "settles." A pre-1970 Steinway has had more time for this process to complete than any newer instrument.
Historical associations: Some pre-1970 Hamburg Model D instruments have documented histories of use at major concert halls or by significant artists. This provenance adds both historical interest and value.
Condition Is Everything
The condition of a vintage concert grand is extraordinarily complex to assess. Unlike a static collectible, a piano is a working mechanical and acoustic instrument with hundreds of interacting components. Key condition factors:
Soundboard: The spruce soundboard should be free of cracks (small, hairline cracks can sometimes be acceptable and even worked with; larger structural cracks are serious). The crown (gentle arch) of the soundboard should be maintained.
Strings: Original strings from a 1960s piano are likely due for replacement. Freshly restrung instruments can play well, but original strings that still perform acceptably are sometimes preferred by purists.
Action: The action (the mechanical system connecting keys to hammers) requires assessment and likely some regulation. Full action rebuilds are sometimes necessary and can run to significant cost.
Hammers: Hammer felt wears with use. Reshaping or eventual replacement is normal maintenance. Original hammers in good condition are desirable.
Cabinet/Case: The outer case (lid, legs, pedal lyre, fallboard) should be in good structural and cosmetic condition. Veneer damage and finish issues affect aesthetics.
Regulation and voicing: A fine piano must be properly regulated (mechanical alignment of action components) and voiced (shaping of hammer felt to achieve desired tone). Even a great instrument performs poorly if these aren't current.
Values
Pre-1970 Hamburg Steinway Model D instruments represent extraordinary value propositions in both directions: they can be extraordinarily expensive when exceptional, and they can be found at relative bargains when they need significant work.
| Condition | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Exceptional, recently serviced, documented provenance | $150,000-400,000+ |
| Good condition, mechanically sound, normal service | $80,000-160,000 |
| Needs work, structurally sound | $40,000-90,000 |
| Significant restoration needed | $20,000-50,000 |
New Steinway Model D instruments currently retail for approximately $200,000-250,000 depending on finish. A pre-1970 Hamburg Model D in excellent condition thus represents both historical and practical value.
Working with Specialists
Buying any significant piano requires engaging a qualified piano technician (RPT, Registered Piano Technician, certification from the Piano Technicians Guild is a reasonable credential marker) to inspect the instrument before purchase. This inspection should cover all major systems and provide a realistic assessment of current condition and likely near-term maintenance costs.
Steinway dealers, particularly those with vintage instrument experience, can be valuable resources, as can the broader concert piano technician community.
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