1) LJC
2) Rich Gallassini
3) James
4) Me4dt
5) Stevester
6) CC2 and Chopin lover
7) Kong Lee
8) Joan Lee
9) James Montelbano
10) hotkeys
11) James Callan
12) Jon Dumont
13) Doogs
14) Rich Crucet
15) Mrs. LJC
16) Confucian
17) Jon
18) Axtremus
19) Jeffrey
20) Jeff BC
21) Jeff BC's daughter
22) JSComposer
23) Tenders
24) Jazzyprof
25) Emanuel Ravelli
26) Jeff Bauer
27) Ron Claiborne
28) CTpianotech

OK, I'm good to go along with the son of fingers.

fingers

Count me in as well!

There is no way I'll miss meeting/seeing again everyone when I’m only 40 minutes away...

1) LJC
2) Rich Gallassini
3) James
4) Me4dt
5) Stevester
6) CC2 and Chopin lover
7) Kong Lee
8) Joan Lee
9) James Montelbano
10) hotkeys
11) James Callan
12) Jon Dumont
13) Doogs
14) Rich Crucet
15) Mrs. LJC
16) Confucian
17) Jon
18) Axtremus
19) Jeffrey
20) Jeff BC
21) Jeff BC's daughter
22) JSComposer
23) Tenders
24) Jazzyprof
25) Emanuel Ravelli
26) Jeff Bauer
27) Ron Claiborne
28) CTpianotech
29) Fingers
30) Son of Fingers
31) Ori

For those of us who are GPS enabled, what address should we use for the destination? Alanna and I will come down the night before - any suggestions where we should stay? Does Steinway have a relationship with a local hotel that would benefit the long distance travellers?

I'm adding Joe Day to the list... bringing it to a total of 32. I think we need to have this as our group - - and if there are more, let's put together another tour in the future. But for December 11th, here is the list:

1) LJC
2) Rich Gallassini
3) James
4) Me4dt
5) Stevester
6) CC2 and Chopin lover
7) Kong Lee
8) Joan Lee
9) James Montelbano
10) hotkeys
11) James Callan
12) Jon Dumont
13) Doogs
14) Rich Crucet
15) Mrs. LJC
16) Confucian
17) Jon
18) Axtremus
19) Jeffrey
20) Jeff BC
21) Jeff BC's daughter
22) JSComposer
23) Tenders
24) Jazzyprof
25) Emanuel Ravelli
26) Jeff Bauer
27) Ron Claiborne
28) CTpianotech
29) Fingers
30) Son of Fingers
31) Ori
32) Joe Day

For GPS, 19th Avenue and 38th Street will get you there. the address is 1 Steinway Place.
Also, feel free to call our factory for directions if need be: 718-721-2600.

thanks everyone,

My apologies. Jon Dumont and I [James Callan] had a business involvement come up that won't permit us to be part of the tour.

Please enjoy the tour and take copious notes for the forum.

Thanks.

1) LJC
2) Rich Gallassini
3) James
4) Me4dt
5) Stevester
6) CC2 and Chopin lover
7) Kong Lee
8) Joan Lee
9) James Montelbano
10) hotkeys
11) Doogs
12) Rich Crucet
13) Mrs. LJC
14) Confucian
15) Jon
16) Axtremus
17) Jeffrey
18) Jeff BC
19) Jeff BC's daughter
20) JSComposer
21) Tenders
22) Jazzyprof
23) Emanuel Ravelli
24) Jeff Bauer
25) Ron Claiborne
26) CTpianotech
27) Fingers
28) Son of Fingers
29) Ori
30) Joe Day

For GPS, 19th Avenue and 38th Street will get you there. the address is 1 Steinway Place.
Also, feel free to call our factory for directions if need be: 718-721-2600.

Parking is in the Foreman's parking lot.

12/11/08 @ 9:00

1) LJC
2) Rich Gallassini
3) James
4) Me4dt
5) Stevester
6) CC2 and Chopin lover
7) Kong Lee
8) Joan Lee
9) James Montelbano
10) hotkeys
11) Doogs
12) Rich Crucet
13) Mrs. LJC
14) Confucian
15) Jon
16) Axtremus
17) Jeffrey
18) Jeff BC
19) Jeff BC's daughter
20) JSComposer
21) Tenders
22) Jazzyprof
23) Emanuel Ravelli
24) Jeff Bauer
25) Ron Claiborne
26) CTpianotech
27) Fingers
28) Son of Fingers
29) Ori
30) Joe Day

Hello everyone
I'm new to this forum but Steinway Factory Tour sounds very tempting. It looks like it is in a couple of days (Dec 11) but if there is any chance to join you that day we'll be just happy... 2 persons, me and my friend/pianist Tomasz Walski

Will you be having a factory tour of Steinway? I must know so that I can mapqwest myself over there or have my husband go with me. Please respond for today is Tuesday and soon it'll be Thursday.

Janaina Klang

I am sorry Piotr and Janaina but this tour is filled up. On the bright side it will be an annual event so keep watching. Also its next Thursday the 11th.

Bob,
Jeff Bauer is a spy. Don't let him in. He's got tiny little cameras everywhere and a recording device. Ori too probably.
Just kidding. I remember my tour through the factory. You guys are sooooo lucky to be going. I hope you all have a great time!

My apology for the late notice.

It looks like I won't be able to make the trip after all.

I hope some one can make use of this "slot."

Have a great tour, every one.

How early should/can we get into the parking lot? Is there a breakfast place nearby (within walking distance maybe)?

Thats too bad Ax! Jeff, i dont know probably, maybe someone else can comment.

THE STEINWAY FACTORY TOUR IS A VERY WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE - We went last December and had a blast!

It amazes me the number of people who respond with their various "excuses" of why they can't attend. If you want to be there, you will --- just that simple.

Once you take the tour, you will realize (as did my 13 y/o daughter) why the Steinway is the premier instrument and all other discussions will be over.

As to taking pictures there - remember that it is a workplace (if nothing else) -- would you want tourists at you workplace taking pictures? So, take the tour, be thankful you can take a look, enjoy Bob's commentary, and live with your memories.

David
S/N 271960 - 1931 "L"

For GPS, 19th Avenue and 38th Street will get you there. The address is 1 Steinway Place.
Also, feel free to call our factory for directions if need be: 718-721-2600.

Parking is in the Foreman's parking lot.

Thursday 12/11/08 @ 9:00

1) LJC
2) Rich Gallassini
3) James
4) Me4dt
5) Stevester
6) CC2 and Chopin lover
7) Kong Lee
8) Joan Lee
9) James Montelbano
10) hotkeys
11) Doogs
12) Rich Crucet
13) Mrs. LJC
14) Confucian
15) Jon
16) Jeffrey
17) Jeff BC
18) Jeff BC's daughter
19) JSComposer
20) Tenders
21) Jazzyprof
22) Emanuel Ravelli
23) Jeff Bauer
24) Ron Claiborne
25) CTpianotech
26) Fingers
27) Son of Fingers
28) Ori
29) Joe Day

Sorry somthing comes up and I can't go. Please remove me from the list.

Wish you all well and have a wonderful time!

My apologies to all.

Sorry for the late notice, but I cannot make the tour tomorrow. Please enjoy it and I hope someone can use my place. Take pictures where you can.

Cheers,

My apologies as well. Hopefully another tour.

Have fun everyone!

Regards,
Steve Ries

Does anybody know about what time the tour will be ending up? Any post-tour festivities planned?

Just as importantly, will we have opportunities to try out some of the pianos that are available for sale?

For GPS, 19th Avenue and 38th Street will get you there. The address is 1 Steinway Place.
Also, feel free to call our factory for directions if need be: 718-721-2600.

Parking is in the Foreman's parking lot.

Thursday 12/11/08 @ 9:00

1) LJC
2) James
3) CC2 and Chopin lover
4) Kong Lee
5) Joan Lee
6) James Montelbano
7) hotkeys
8) Doogs
9) Rich Crucet
10) Mrs. LJC
11) Confucian
12) Jon
13) Jeffrey
14) Jeff BC
15) Jeff BC's daughter
16) JSComposer
17) Tenders
18) Jazzyprof
19) Emanuel Ravelli
20) Jeff Bauer
21) Ron Claiborne
22) CTpianotech
23) Fingers
24) Son of Fingers
25) Ori
26) Joe Day

For GPS, 19th Avenue and 38th Street will get you there. The address is 1 Steinway Place.
Also, feel free to call our factory for directions if need be: 718-721-2600.

Parking is in the Foreman's parking lot.

Thursday 12/11/08 @ 9:00

1) LJC
2) James
3) CC2 and Chopin lover
4) Kong Lee
5) Joan Lee
6) James Montelbano
7) hotkeys
8) Doogs
9) Rich Crucet
10) Mrs. LJC
11) Confucian
12) Jeffrey
13) Jeff BC
14) Jeff BC's daughter
15) JSComposer
16) Tenders
17) Jazzyprof
18) Emanuel Ravelli
19) Jeff Bauer
20) Ron Claiborne
21) CTpianotech
22) Fingers
23) Son of Fingers
24) Ori
25) Joe Day

(Double post-please excuse)

Linda, probably around 1:00. We might get to try out pianos, there is a small selection room. Last time we couldnt go in because someone was busy picking out a concert grand. See you in the morning!

OK, OK, OK, we have been patient...

'tis 4:30 PM and the tour must have ended by now...and we are all waiting for reports! and pics!

unless you are all out partying, and then we will patiently wait a little longer for your tales of the day...

It was a class act -- they pulled out "all the stops" for us, and showed us everything from brute force to absolute precision. What a fascinating company and an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and committed management and customer service team. They bent a frame for us. They flipped a piano for us. They showed us the selection room jam-packed with 20 or more completed pianos just waiting to be plucked, like so many berries on a bush. They gave many of us felt hammers (I think that had failed quality control) as souvenirs, not to mention lunch afterwards. We saw the hot drying room for the frames and the other drying room for the lumber. They showed us the CNC milling machine going to town on four giant pieces of wood at a time. They shared a Steinway SECRET with us.

Most of what we saw was wood, wood, wood, wood, wood, and more wood -- a termite's delight. But we also saw the laquer finishing section, the action assembly section, the stringing section. It was just awesome. JeffBC's daughter was a shy delight and hung on for all four hours, ending in a much better mood than the needlessly belligerent piano tech who monopolized the Q&A after lunch with obnoxious leading questions...after having been almost as overbearing during the tour itself.

[My apologies but a special aside is in order here. Dude, I don't know who you are, or how many brilliant posts you've made or what kind of following you've got on this message board, but next year, make your own tour arrangements. For shame. To behave that way after all the kindness, patience, and enthusiasm those guys put into entertaining, informing, and feeding us from 9am-2pm was the epitome of rudeness. I cleared out early once I'd had enough of you -- my initial impression was that you made the whole group look bad, but on further reflection you were such an outlier I don't think the group's reputation was at all harmed. You were successful in conveying yourself as an abrasive font of knowledge. If that was your objective, mission accomplished, but I'd never hire or work with you in any capacity. End of rant.]

The rest of the group was great -- what an interesting bunch of folks had been assembled. Professional pianists, technicians, students, and even a few total hacks like me. There was a fascinating two-way discussion afterwards about the future of Steinway and the trajectory of the public's interest in pianodom in a different world order than was experienced in the last 150 years. I left with a very strong impression that Steinway knows its business profoundly clearly and what it is as a brand name...and isn't.

To address some of the comments made from previous tours...

They were very clear on the photo protocol, which I thought was entirely reasonable. Some of the explanations did get drowned out in the noise, but it's a shop -- it wouldn't have been the same if the tour had happened on a weekend when there were no moving parts!

I thought it was perfect. Standing O to Bob Snyder, the rest of the Steinway team, and LJC for organizing everything.

I have a few photos but I'm traveling and will have to figure out how to post them later.

I don't know about partying, but I stayed til five pm trying out pianos.

I wasn't impressed with the preparation of the pianos. Most needed a lot more work than had been put into them.

Question: if a group picture wasn't taken (and I'm not aware that one was), did the tour really happen?