The Steinway & Sons Model S in High Gloss Black
Dallas, Texas — Uriel’s Piano Refinishing
Stepping into the spotlight
The story of Lisa Clingman’s Steinway & Sons Model S Grand Piano, affectionately named Mona Lisa, is a beautiful narrative interwoven with love, family, and music.
Rich in History
Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg crafted his first piano in Germany in 1836. In 1850, he relocated to New York City with his family and established Steinway & Sons in a Manhattan loft on Varick Street.
Fast forward 100 years to the United States during a booming post-war era. In 1950, a remarkable Steinway & Sons Model S grand piano was acquired in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Finished in elegant mahogany satin varnish, it was a sight to behold. This exquisite instrument later became known as the Mona Lisa.
Acquired from Saied Music Company, current owner Lisa Clingman recalls, “In 1950, Granny bought the Steinway Model S and instantly fell in love, creating a family legacy spanning over seventy-five years.” Granny treasured her piano and wholeheartedly encouraged her daughter Ann Owenby’s musical journey. She employed a devoted blind teacher who brought passion and skill to Ann’s lessons.
Thanks to his supportive mentorship, Ann flourished into an extraordinary pianist, developing a profound, lifelong bond with Mona through extensive practice and the crafting of exquisite melodies. As time passed and Ann blossomed into adulthood, she moved out into the world, but Mona remained a cherished heirloom in Granny’s warm and welcoming home.
When Granny moved into assisted living, Mona gracefully transitioned into Ann’s prized possession, following her through every new chapter in life and always holding a special place in her heart. Even after Ann faced the heartache of losing her husband and needed to downsize, she always found a special spot for Mona. Their bond was unbreakable; music flowed effortlessly between them, enveloping their homes with joy, love, and nostalgia. Ann never allowed age to dim their friendship, keeping the spirit of music alive until her final days.
After Ann’s departure, Mona embarked on a new journey north to Dallas, Texas, where she was warmly welcomed into her new home. Ann passsed Mona down to her daughter, Lisa Clingman. As Lisa grew up, she remembered that her childhood was filled with enchanting melodies, reflecting the love and laughter shared over the years among a grandmother, a mother, a daughter, and their faithful piano.
However, after more than seven decades of creating beautiful music, Mona began to feel the effects of time. The once-lustrous finish had dulled, and the years of joyful melodies were starting to fade. Out of tune and in need of repairs, Lisa turned to Uriel’s Piano to bring her family’s heirloom back to life. Mona was carefully transferred to Uriel’s Piano in Sachse, Texas, where she underwent a complete transformation.
Upon arrival, the master technicians initiated a thorough restoration process. The piano was entirely disassembled and meticulously stripped of its old finish down to the bare mahogany. Each imperfection was carefully repaired. The hardware was removed for polishing later and reinstalled with great attention, as the piano was refinished in a striking High-Gloss Black. The original Steinway decal on the soundboard was preserved during the belly work.
The soundboard and iron plate were repaired and refinished, along with necessary bridge repairs. New pin blocks were installed, featuring new bass and treble strings. Damper felts were also replaced, and the damper heads were refinished. All bolts and screws received re-plating as part of the restoration.
The work involved replacing key frame felts and bushings and installing new back checks, wippens, hammers, shanks, and flanges. The damper guide rails were refurbished, and the action was meticulously adjusted. Following tuning and voicing, the sharps were refinished, and Mona’s original ivories were cleaned and polished. In addition, the latest QRS player was skillfully installed. To complement the sophisticated restoration, a matching artist’s bench was refinished in High-Gloss Black and upholstered in black leather.
Mona was carefully brought back to her home in Dallas, where Ann was delighted to experience Mona through her newly installed piano player. “Mona is stunning, a true work of art!” exclaimed Lisa. “She is absolutely incredible!” Lisa continued, “Working together on this has been a true pleasure, and I can’t stress enough how pleased I am with the result.”
Ultimately, all her cherished memories—the laughter, love, and music—continued to resonate vividly, serving as a testament to the legacies of Granny, her mother Ann, and her beloved piano. They remain a family united forever through the melodious notes of their treasured Steinway & Sons Model S grand piano, Mona Lisa, which is destined to be a family heirloom for many more years to come.
