Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Nov. 04, 2011
Document Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000911583
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,357,499
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

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