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6-course vihuela after historical models This instrument is brand new, the perfect vehicle for the interpretation of the large Spanish renaissance repertoire, especially the great early music of Milan, Mudarra and Narvaez. The design is a blend of three actual extant instruments, as well as graphic influence in the placement of tiles and rose, from iconographic (historic picture) sources. The parquetry tiles are made from ebony, holly, pear and pernambuco, inlaid into the soudboard in typical "mudejar" decorative style. This decor is thought to imitate the reliquaries of the venerated housed in religious institutions in the Medieval period on the Iberian peninsula. The vihuela is an excellent alternative to the lute for the Italian Renaissance music of Francesco, Spinaccino and Capirola. It is less prone to buzzes, right hand technical problems and tuning instability associated with the lute's octave stringing. The tenth fret is at the body joint, so it's quite a bit easier to play in high positions because of the longer neck. The instrument is lightly built, with low action and a wider neck than most lutes, for ease of play in the typical contrapuntal style of the "vihuelistas". The strings are currently Savarez carbon fiber throughout, giving excellent intonation, tuning stability and durability. The instrument body is made from figured maple, with a pear bridge, Spanish cedar neck, walnut head, plum pegs, and ebony fingerboard. Features a semi-vaulted back, Port Orford cypress top, parquetry wood tile inlays in soundboard, end-block and head, three-layer sheepskin parchment rose, with a 63 cm string-length. It comes with a heavy-duty upholstered case, capable of withstanding the airline fragile-testing elephant. For a complete photo essay about the construction and a sound sample visit www.earlymusicstudio.com or www.clivetitmuss.com. Mr. Titmuss has made excellent downloadable recordings of well-known music on the instrument available from the Early Music Studio website (above). Easy shipping to any locale worldwide. Shipping to Canadian locations from around $100 - $150. Shipping by UPS to any US location in 5-7 business days, fully insured from around $100 to $275 USD, depending on location. Only 1 left as of May 2008 For a sound sample of this vihuela, please listen to the Feature Download on the Home Page. Contact us at info@earlymusicstudio.com

For Sale

Steinway & Sons grand piano model B, dated 1913, serial number 163818 in figured African Mahogany.

A premium musician's instrument, this piano has been completely rebuilt and meticulously voiced for the discriminating buyer. It's essentially a brand new hand-built piano in a vintage Steinway case. First introduced by Steinway & Sons, New York in 1884, the Model B is still in production today essentially unchanged, one of the most desirable and sought-after models ever made by the Steinway firm.

The work was done by Canada’s master piano restoration craftsman, Marinus van Prattenburg (www.earlypianos.com). He is a European craftsman with nearly 40 years in the restoration field, a professional technician and rebuilder who has a long history with Bechteins, Steinways, Broadwoods; with historic grands and squares going back to the 18th century. Many of his instruments are in the collections of prominent Canadian musicians with an interest in early pianos.

This Steinway has been restored with complete faithfulness to the original sound and specifications of the manufacturer and painstakingly regulated, voiced and refinished to the highest standards. The action uses modern computer-cut parts supplied by the German firm, Renner. These replacement parts are widely preferred to the original Steinway action, and certainly easier to adjust. The new soundboard is jointed from the best old growth Englemann spruce, giving a more lively and colorful sound, especially in the middle register, than the original Eastern spruce commonly used by Steinway in the early 20th century.

The unique Steinway sound character is typical of the their instruments of the pre-war era, very outspoken, extroverted and long-singing, with a reedy bass and bell-like treble in perfect balance. The action is smooth and responsive, very quick and neither too light nor too heavy for quick playing. On the other hand the piano is capable of thunderous fortes without strain. The beautifully veneered and finished case is a marvel of laminated-wood engineering. The original matching mahogany bench is included.

The complete restoration and rebuild aside from the soundboard and action, included a laminated pin-block, blued tuning pins, dampers and premium European-style softer felt hammers, new key covers , English (EKA) custom-spun bass and Roslau wire stringing, complete expert re-finishing with new ultra-durable high-tech catalyzed varnish, and nickel re-plating of the original hardware. The musical finishing and voicing is particularly fine, according to the strictest traditional Steinway standards and methods, the product of many hours of dedicated and experienced labor. It is for all intents and purposes a new boutique piano for half the cost of the current model.

The price is $48,000 CAD, less than most comparable well-restored vintage Steinway B's from the big re-sale houses in the US. View and play this and other fine restored instruments on the seller's website: http//www.earlymusicstudio.com. A complete technical account of the restoration is listed there. An exhaustive photo CD record of the restoration is available to qualified potential buyers.

Shipping by truck to any point in the US and Canada is easily arranged. For shipping to the US: The new replacement key-slips mean that there is no necessity for a CITIES permit as with ivory keyboards, regardless of age or provenance. We ship the piano to the US border, broker it and ship it by truck from there. The piano can be crated, shipped and received in about 10 business days.

Shipping by truck to any point in the US and Canada is easily arranged. The new replacement key-slips mean that there is no necessity for a CITIES permit as with ivory keyboards, regardless of age or provenance. We ship the piano to the US border, broker it and ship it by truck from there. The piano can be crated, shipped and received in about 10 business days.

Call us directly about this piano at 250 769 2884

A complete account of the restoration, rebuilding and refinishing:  

Manufacture, hand tapering, (exactly copying the original dimensions) and installation (following Steinway-patented acoustic dowel method) of a new, AAA quality, perfectly quarter-sawn white spruce soundboard supplied by expert sawyer Artisan Sawmills, B.C.  

Custom installation of quarter-sawn European beech bridge caps, using the original Steinway bridges.  

Installation of a 14 cross-ply Eastern Maple pin-block, guaranteed against warping or cracking.

Installation of brand new blued steel tuning pins, as per original.Installation of entirely new Renner action, made specially to Steinway specifications, with screw adjustment for repetition springs.  

Installation of new Renner damper system, and new damper guide rail.  

Installation of new Renner "Premium Blue Hammers", specifically designed by Renner to replace Steinway hammers for the American market.  

Re-felting of the key-frame.  

Installation of new key-bushings and buck-skin on the back-checks.  

Replacement, polishing and finishing of key covers and leveling and balancing the keys according to Steinway's touch-weight specifications.  

Installation of premium quality E.K.A. custom made over-spun bass strings, made in England to the restorer's specification.  

Installation of German-made Röslau high-tensile strength steel piano wire for all other strings.  

Removal, re-finishing and re-fitting and re-installation of the original Steinway cast-iron frame, re-installation of original gilt-painted plate bolts.  

Installation of new brass agraffes on the plate according to Steinway specifications.  

Heavy-duty nickel plating of the original pedals and other hardware.  

Stripping, filling and refinishing of the entire instrument using best quality sprayed semi-gloss urethane, including music desk, lid and bench.  

Musical finishing and voicing according to Steinway specifications.  

The price, exclusive of shipping, insurance and relevant taxes is 48,000 CAD.