The Boston Performance Edition Piano
The Creative Journey Begines by Striking a Single Key
Responsiveness. Precision. Intuitive grace. A superior musical instrument can be recognized by the degree to which allows the player to express his or her unique vision without interference - as if nothing stands between the fingertips, and the notes that hang in the air.
Such is the experience of playing a Boston Performance Edition Piano. Designed by Steinway & Sons, employing the unique patents and expertise that have made the name of Steinway synonymous with musical excellence, the Boston line of upright and grand pianos represent a singular achievement in instrument-building: a superior playing experience at a price level never before thought possible.
We Achieve Our Own Goals Only When We Surpass Them
A synthesis of high-technology and the highest musical standards, the Boston Piano began as a challenge: to create a piano with a level of performance and quality far superior to any instrument in its price range.
Drawing on more than a century of experience, in 1986 Steinway & Sons set about creating this new kind of piano. Using the most sophisticated computer modeling, the company adapted proven patents, concepts and materials for the special requirements of high-technology manufaturing
Scrupulous attention was also paid to incorporating the distinctive quality of components and craftsmanship with which the Steinway name is associated: genuine wood veneers, unique computer-design pear-shaped hammers, and engineering enchancements including optimal placement of ribs, braces and bridges for superior tone. All of this was integrated into a high-tech manufacturing environment, where efficiency of production could be wedded to the finest old-world standards of artistry. Within two years, the first prototypes of the new series were created - and exceeded all expectations.
More than 65,000 Boston pianos have been sold to individuals and institutions around the world - pianos which continue to delight and inspire their owners. Playing the Boston piano is proof that technology can indeed enchance performance, not compromise it.
A New World of Musical Creativity
When you first touch the keys of a Boston Performance Edition Piano, be prepared for an entirely new experience. Unexpected power suddenly fills the room. The sound is full, rich, and beautifully balanced.
Even a begining player can clearly hear the difference. Boston's duplex scale, adapted from the famous Steinway & Sons design, adds a harmonic richness that simply can't be duplicated by other instruments in a similar price range. In comparison to other pianos, the Boston piano has less string tension. This reduced string tension allows for a larger, tapered soundboard, creating longer sustain, and more singing quality in the tone, as well as longer piano life. A wealth of other engineering enhancements, including optimal placement of ribs, braces, and bridges, also contribute to the Boston's superior tone an greater stability.
New Features and Advancements of the Boston Performance Editon Piano
THE RIM
The special case of the grand piano, called the rim, clearly shows the design legacy of Steinway & Sons behind the Boston piano. The rim contributes to the stability of the piano, offering support for the soundboard. The best materials are necessary for this rigorous job: the outer rim consists of several layers of mahogany, and the inner rim of the Boston grand piano is made of maple. The high-quality hardwood is pressed with horizontally oriented grains, providing more stability, and exceptional richness of power and sound.
THE OCTAGRIP PINBLOCK
One of many proprietary Steinway innovations, the patented Octagrip pinblock can only be found in Boston Performance Edition Pianos pianos. The Octagrip pinblock is made of 11 layers of hard rock maple - glued in different grain angles of degrees - affording the tuning pins greater stability under tension and enabling the piano to stay in tune longer.
THE PLATE
Every single piece of the piano vibrates when being played - except the plate, which is dedicated to a single function: ensuring total stability. Thanks to a special grey-iron material developed by Steinway and its special vacuum fabrication - the plate can withstand the enormous string tension of several tons.
THE HAMMERS
Each of the 88 keys of a grand or upright piano transmits its movement to a small, felt-covered wooden hammer which strikes one, tow or three strings. In 1880, Steinway & Sons introduced pear-shaped hammers with reinforced shoulders and metal ligatures to ensure superior stability and a more powerful sound. This exclusive Steinway & Sons design is also part of the Boston grand piano and upright pianos.
THE ACTION
No other component of a grand or upright piano is as critical to playing performance as the "action". Only a flawlessly made action can offer the piano player the greatest level of expressiveness. The action of a Boston piano is based on the exclusive design by Steinway. It is made of all wood action parts and is characterized by a faster repetition, better stability and a heightened responsiveness which gives the player better control. The rosette-shaped, extruded aluminum action rail results in increased stabily and less frequent regulation.
THE DUPLEX SCALE
One of the most famous inventions of Steinway, the 1872 duplex scale provides Boston grand pianos with a full, beautiful sustained tone. The Boston duplex scale adds a harmonic richness of tone and a variety in sound to the instruments. Once lauded by the well-known physicist and acoustics specialist Hermann von Helmholts, every owner of a Boston grand piano can enjoy the richer tone and longer sustain made possible by the Boston duplex scale.
THE BRIDGES
The soundboard bridges of the Boston Grand and upright pianos are based on the same soundboard bridges first patented by Steinway in 1880. They are made of vertically laminated hard rock maple with a solid maple cap which allows for optimum sound transmission. The result is a batter sound, and increased volume.
THE SOUNDBOARD
The soundboard is the soul of the instrument. Therefore, it is essential to pay close attention to the construction and the selection of the materials. Only the finest, straight-grained sitka spruce, with a minimum of 8 annual growth rings per inch, is used to construct the Boston piano's soundboard. Based on a Steinway design from 1936, the Boston soundboard is not uniformly think, but rather is tapered to vibrate more freely and provide more volume.
THE WIDE-TAIL DESIGN
All Boston grand pianos share the wide tail design. This innovation by Steinway makes a wider case possible, to create a bigger soundboard area, giving the piano player the impression of playing on a larger piano. The result will please both the player and the listener with a richer sound.