"Some pianos are simply owned. Others are carefully cultivated over years until they become something extraordinary." There are Steinway Model Bs, and then there are Steinway Model Bs whose entire history has been defined by careful stewardship.
Offered here is an exceptional 2005 New York Steinway & Sons Model B (6'11"), finished in elegant Satin Ebony, representing one of the finest examples we have had the privilege to own.
For two decades this remarkable instrument has been stewarded by Grammy-nominated, Sound Pure Studios in Durham, North Carolina—not as a heavily trafficked commercial instrument, but as a treasured recording piano reserved for exceptional artists and important sessions.
Unlike instruments that spend years in universities, concert halls, teaching studios, or rental fleets, this Steinway has lived an unusually sheltered life. It has been maintained under exceptionally stable temperature and humidity conditions, played sparingly, and entrusted exclusively to Steinway-trained technicians throughout its life.
The result is an instrument whose musical condition is nothing short of remarkable.
A Piano Improved Through Stewardship
Great pianos continue to mature. Great technicians help them realize their potential.
For well over a decade, this instrument has been meticulously maintained by Marc Wienert, widely regarded as one of America's premier concert piano technicians. His work has influenced countless world-class recordings, concert instruments, and discerning private collections.
Under his care, every aspect of this piano has been continuously refined:
- Concert tuning
- Careful hammer shaping
- Expert voicing
- Ongoing mechanical optimizations
Rather than simply maintaining factory specifications, this Steinway has been patiently developed into an instrument of exceptional responsiveness and musicality. The action feels effortless, predictable, and deeply expressive.
The hammers exhibit remarkably little wear, reflecting both the piano's exceptionally light lifetime use and its careful maintenance history. It is ready for a lifetime of enjoyment for its next steward.
A Tone That Must Be Experienced
This piano remains unmistakably a Steinway Model B. It possesses the power, complexity, richness, and harmonic depth that have made the Model B one of the world's most admired pianos.
Yet it also exhibits something increasingly difficult to find:
Clarity. Individual melodic lines emerge effortlessly. Inner voices remain distinct. The treble sings with remarkable brilliance and color without ever becoming harsh, while the bass retains the authority and warmth expected of a great New York Steinway 7-footer.
The result is an instrument equally inspiring for classical repertoire, jazz, contemporary recording, and intimate solo performance. It is a piano that will invite longer practice sessions, deeper musical exploration, and simply makes you want to continue playing.
Recording Heritage
This Steinway has served as Sound Pure Studios' premier recording piano for select projects over many years. It is not trafficked for any other purpose except for piano-specific recording projects. Over the years, this means relatively minimal use, while preserving and curating it's performance and tone.
For Example, it was used during the recording ofGrammy-nominee Nnenna Freelon's Homefree, as well as alongside other elite Sound Pure Studio clientele which from The Bad Plus, Brandford Marsalis, and even multi Grammy-winning artist, Shirley Caesar.
Henry Steinway Signature
One of the instrument's most distinctive features is its personally signed cast-iron plate by Henry Z. Steinway, before his death in 2008.
Henry Steinway was the last family member actively associated with Steinway & Sons, and instruments bearing his autograph represent an increasingly significant piece of Steinway history. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, his signature connects this piano to the final generation of the founding family and adds an element of historical significance beyond the instrument itself.
Extraordinary Preservation
This piano has spent nearly two decades in conditions that very few Steinways ever experience. Rather than living in ordinary residential environments with seasonal humidity fluctuations, sunlight, and inconsistent maintenance, it has been preserved in an exceptionally stable climate and humidity, with no UV exposure whatsoever, while receiving the highest levels of continual professional attention.
Its original Satin Ebony finish presents beautifully, Only minor touchups, and a recent professional expert rub have been undergone, placing it overall in excellent condition. The piano is entirely original, exhibiting the honest signs of careful ownership expected of a thoughtfully preserved newer instrument.
More importantly, its mechanical condition, action, regulation, voicing, and musical performance reflect a level of long-term stewardship that is extraordinarily uncommon. Of note, the hammer condition is noted with miminal wear, indicating the low hours of playtime on this extraordinary instrument.
Soundboard
The original soundboard has been exceptionally well preserved throughout the piano's life in this professionally climate- and humidity-controlled studio environment. Its condition reflects the same meticulous stewardship afforded every aspect of this instrument and plays an important role in the piano's remarkable tonal clarity, resonance, and sustain.
Prepared for Its Next Steward
The photographs in this listing represent the piano exactly as it exists today. Immediately prior to photography and offering for sale, the instrument received a comprehensive professional preparation, including:
- Complete inspection
- Cabinet cleaning and detailing
- Professional rub of top, body, fallboard, and music desk
- Only minor paint touch-ups were performed
- Concert tuning
- Regulation inspection
- Final voicing assesment
- Performance evaluation
It is fully prepared and ready for its next owner's immediate enjoyment.
Why This Piano Matters
A new Steinway Model B represents a substantial investment. For many experienced pianists, however, the ultimate goal is not simply to purchase a new piano—it is to acquire an exceptional piano.
The finest examples are often instruments that have matured over time while benefiting from extraordinary care, expert regulation, thoughtful voicing, and environmental conditions that are both ideal and stable.
This Steinway represents precisely that opportunity. Its maintenance history cannot be recreated, as this piano has actually improved over its lifetime. Its musical refinement cannot be rushed. Its recording pedigree cannot be manufactured. Its stewardship cannot be duplicated.
For pianists who value touch, tone, responsiveness, and long-term care above model year alone, this instrument represents extraordinary value. We genuinely believe it is among the finest Steinway Model Bs available anywhere in today's market.
Artist Bench Included
This Steinway B piano includes the Jansen Artist Piano Bench, which is the gold standard for adjustable concert benches. Steinway contracts exclusively with the Paul L. Jansen & Son company for these benches, and it is included in this purchase.
Private Appointments
Because of the significance of this instrument, Sound Pure's In Home Try Before You Buy program does not apply, but we instead invite serious buyers to experience this piano exactly as it deserves to be experienced—in person.
Private demonstrations are available by appointment only at Sound Pure Studios in Durham, North Carolina. Once you sit down at the keyboard, we believe the years of careful stewardship become immediately apparent. Some instruments simply need to be heard. This is one of them.
Who should acquire this piano?
This instrument is not intended for buyers simply looking for the least expensive Steinway Model B. It is intended for pianists, recording professionals, collectors, and institutions who understand that the true value of a great piano lies not merely in its age, but in its history, preparation, musical refinement, and stewardship. Given these facators, this piano represents not only an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunity, but also an extremely fair price.
If your goal is simply to own a Steinway, there are many available. If your goal is to own an exceptional Steinway—one that has been patiently cultivated for two decades by musicians, recording engineers, and one of America's finest piano technicians—we invite you to experience this instrument in person.
Hear This Exact Piano - Videos
One of the unique advantages of this Steinway is that you don't have to imagine how it sounds—you can hear it. Over the years, this very instrument has been featured in important and critically acclaimed Sound Pure recording sessions, product demonstrations, and educational videos. Captured by professional engineers using many of the world's finest microphones, preamps, converters, and recording techniques, these videos provide an opportunity to experience the remarkable voice of this exceptional Steinway Model B before ever visiting our studio.
While every recording reflects artistic choices in microphones, placement, room acoustics, and production, together they paint a compelling picture of this piano's extraordinary clarity, rich harmonic complexity, expressive dynamic range, and unmistakable musicality.
We invite you to spend some time listening before scheduling your private demonstration.
Links to Videos that feature this unique Steinway B #572321
- Steinway Model B #572321 Microphone Demo - Charter Oak e700 microphone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTLlB3f5b_g
- Steinway Model B #572321 Performance & Recording Showcase: Debussy's La fille aux cheveux de lin for Piano (using Miktek C5 Microphones): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TImuX3px3is
- Steinway Model B #572321 Piano Recording Demonstartion (Lid Open and Closed) using the Earthworks PM40 Microphone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7HTqlXcZRI
- Steinway Model B #572321 Microphone Demo - Neumann M150 Mics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfV4MZhvW9s
- Steinway Model B #572321 New Orleans Jazz Piano Recording Session and Microphone Demo - Neumann TLM102: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGGwwDuO9vs
- Steinway Model B #572321 Recording Session - Classical - 3x different mic setups using the Neumann TLM107: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p0lPlW5IUo
If you have questions about any of these recordings—including the microphones, preamps, signal chain, recording techniques, or room acoustics used—we would be delighted to discuss them. For more than two decades, Sound Pure has specialized in helping musicians achieve world-class recordings, and this Steinway Model B has been at the heart of many of those musical experiences.
Payment, Shipping, Sales Tax
Prepayment is required by bank wire (or via financing) prior to release. Shipping shall be arranged separately with the buyer and is not included in the price - Sound Pure works with several piano shippers (the selection and pricing depends on the distance from Sound Pure) and can make a recommendation depending on buyer location. We may be responsible for collecting sales tax in your state. Please call to discuss any payment, shipping, or tax terms.
