I'm a latecomer to Netflix, and I'm getting my money's worth during my 30 day free trial. At the moment I'm watching a documentary about the building of Steinway Pianos: Note by Note. I recall, a couple decades ago, learning that these pianos were made in the neighborhood where my brother in law lives (Astoria, Queens). Everyone has heard of Steinway Pianos, and anything that famous must be made in a mythical place, no? Certainly not in the chaotic, mercantile hodgepodge of Not-Manhattan? It struck me as odd.
The complexity of a piano is, within an order of magnitude, about the same as, say, the wooden boat of which I am caretaker. Each has a keel, carefully selected woods, myriad specialized subcomponents, metal bits, inlays, foundry objects, and a mystical sum-greater-than-the-parts-ness that may be the distinction between the animate and inanimate.
There is still a market for $50,000 to $500,000 pianos that approach acoustic perfection, yet still have individuality. This is no longer true for wooden sailboats. The $100,000 replacement cost of a boat like mine is simply too high a premium to pay for craftsmanship when there are more practical alternatives that are easier to build, maintain, market, and are roomier and maybe even safer (this last we might discuss at greater length). So, the good news for sailors is that you can buy a Steinway-like-sailable-object for 10 or 20 cents on the dollar.
Both industries have suffered drastic retrenchment over the last century or so. The world will be a better place to the extent that there remains recognition and demand for the value they offer. If you've ever played a piano, or even appreciated a piano concert, you'll find this video worth your time. Thank heaven they don't need to make them waterproof.
