They did it ... Steinway

Denise Wunderlich's home is piled with pianos. So is Lisa Wunderlich's. And Caryn Wunderlich's, too.

The Wunderlich sisters, owners of Southern Nevada Music Co. and the only dealers authorized to sell Steinway pianos in Las Vegas, transferred much of their inventory out of their 7,000-square-foot store and into their homes to make room for the Crown Jewel Collection Tour, a collection of ultra luxury pianos passing through town until Nov. 3.

"We were guaranteed six, we got 17," says a laughing Denise Wunderlich, who, along with her sisters, Lisa Wunderlich and Caryn Wunderlich Gott, have owned the local Steinway franchise, at 4731 Industrial Rd., since 1981.

The Crown Jewel Collection is the top of the line in an already top-of-the-line, brand-name firm.

According to the company's claims, Steinways are chosen by 90 perecent of the world's performing concert pianists. The Wunderlichs say that Wayne Newton and Tony Bennett are among those who have insisted upon using Steinways when performing locally -- and so did the late Frank Sinatra. A custom-made Steinway with eagle-shaped legs sits in the White House East Room. Others sit in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

The piano's many admirers are a result of its quality of craftsmanship and longevity. Because each piano takes a year to handcraft, the 145-year-old company, based in New York, only produces 4,000 pianos annually, and currently has a 10-month back-order. The Las Vegas dealership, one of only 90 such dealers in the country, sells a scant 15 to 40 each year.

But the Crown Jewel Collection, created in 1995, is even more lux, if possible.

"It's a collection of exotic wood ... from India and Africa -- not rare or endangered but exotic and incredibly gorgeous," Denise Wunderlich says.

The woods include Macassar Ebony from the African East Indies, Kewazinga Bubinga from West Africa, East Indian Rosewood from India, Santos Rosewood from Belize, Figured Sapele from Nigeria and Cherry from Appalachia, in the good ol' U.S.A. All are deep, rich colors with visible swirling grains, and range in price from $15,200 to $24,300 for an upright piano and $34,100 to $120,000 for a grand piano.

The Bellagio recently purchased four pianos, including at least two from the Crown Jewel collection: a 7-foot Macassar Ebony (deep brown) grand for its Petrossion Bar, featuring silver plating and French Deco design, and valued at $165,000; and another of Figured Sapele (dark red) for its Bacarrat Bar, valued at $45,000.

Though the 17 pianos are coming through Las Vegas on a "tour," they are also for sale. (All the pianos that are sold while on display simply don't make it on to the next city on the tour; if a city sells out, the company will replenish the supply.)

But with the unique and valuable homes under construction in Las Vegas, the Wunderlichs expect the pianos to go fast.

"We've only had a few in the past, here and there, and they've sold right way" noted Caryn Wunderlich Gott, a professional musician who plays the harp at events such as the Bellagio opening and the debut of the Rio's Russian art exhibit.

"This is the first time we've ever had this many of these kind of woods."

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