Hello: I would like an ebony double-stick for the lid of my 1918 Hamburg Steinway C. Is this a DIY replacement or must this be done by a technician? I had this done earlier for a Steinway O in Columbus, Ohio but I was blessed with a superb Steinway technician. Now I'm in Montana and don't find that there is a registered Steinway tech here. What are my options? If this is a DIY project, where can I obtain the stick?

Thanks

First of all,the prop stick of a brand NEW Hamburg C is in satin finish though the new piano is higloss polyester. In 1918 it was not polyester. You can order the prop stick either refinished or not and than get the local refinisher to finish it. You should probably confer with a local restoration company as for ordering that stick from Steinway.I'm pretty sure that the prop stick is gonna be the same as for a NY C as for a Hamburg C. Steinway prop sticks are different dimensional,depending on the model of the Steinway. They vary in angle where the hinge is and the overall lenght. You must have an account with Steinway parts to even order it. Not a rocket science though it is complicated as for ordering the right stick.

You could always install that aftermarket brass short prop stick attachment which screws on to the existing stick.Though it works and is functional it is TACKY.
When I get to the shop later I can give you the exact dimensions of a Steinway C propstick if you need it in that I have a couple vintage Steinway C(s) Good luck!

You also need to carve a hole for the short prop to go into, and finish that. It probably is not something you should try yourself, unless you are adept at this sort of thing. If the new stick is shorter than the old one, it be at the wrong angle when at full stick.

You could just get a dowel, cut it to whatever length you want, put crutch tips at each end, paint it black and jam it between the plate and the lid. Not elegant, but it works.

A 3/4 forstner bit works well for the new hole you will need for the short stick.

One odd thing is I ordered 4 mahogany "L" sticks from Steinway. 3 were 30" long and one was useless because it was 28" long.
Never did send it back, should have though. Why they sent one short one is beyond me.