Business Week has a cool photo essay on the making of a Steinway. The accompanying article is worth reading, too, but the pix are primo.
Where else are you going to learn stuff like: "During the 'voicing' process, a master 'voicer' makes adjustments to the hammer's resiliency by sticking the felt with a small row of needles to reduce its stiffness, thereby mellowing its tone. To increase the brilliance of the sound, the voicer hardens the felt by applying a small amount of lacquer."
BTW, I'm going to Steinway Hall tonight to hear this. If you're free (and in town), you might want to call and see if there are any spaces left.
