Charles Frederick Stein pianos

[Terry Perdue]

I just purchased a C.F. Stein console piano, and would like more information
about this company, which was located in Chicago. I understand that this
piano was produced around 1940. It was recently inspected and appraised, and
I'm told it has excellent tone, and that some internal features are superior
to a Steinway. Does anyone else own a Stein and, if so, what can you tell me
about it?

Terry

[Rick Clark]

I've seen a few in my day. some uprights, some grands. Stein himself
was a scale designer whose work appeared in the designs of pianos made
by a number of companies.

Of those appearing under the CF Stein brand, all I saw appeared to be
of above average though not fabulous quality when new... some more
above than others. But when dealing with pianos that old, issues of
condition supercede issues of brand name. If you have one in great
shape, then good for you. As far as getting into comparing the
features with Steinway, etc, just know that some care went into the
design, but in the end, it's not "special features" which makes any
piano good or poor. It's the integral of everything from design to
execution. Every piano has it's "special features", but it's really
not that meaningful a thing.

What's nice about companies like CF Stein (or today's Charles R
Walter) is that since there is not a lot of hype about the name you
can get a good deal on the instrument, even if it is of better
quality. OTOH, you will almost always pay a premium for a Steinway
even when it's a total junker, just because that name holds so much
prestige.

RC

[klausmu...@gmail.com]

I purchased a baby grand in 1972 from a lady who had it in storage for years- mahogany veneer- It was in very bad shape but had it rebuilt-Fantastic instrument. Some believe that in his day Stein built a better piano than Steinway but never was able to get as big as Steinway. He was a great craftsmen and layed up all his own veneers.
Klaus