When History is Played Personal – A Few Things to Consider When Restoring The Family Piano
Much has changed since Bartolomeo Cristofori's invention, known today as the piano, first rang out its first notes. Well over 300 history-filled years have passed since then. However, one thing has not. The power of music has brought families together over, and over again. The piano has found its way into the center of the musical world, not just professionally, but in the personal lives of countless throughout the world. Eight-eight (on average) keys. An unlimited number of memories. It is no wonder that many have begun to consider what will become of their family's heirloom piano. In this article, we wish to present realistic options regarding the repair/restoration of the family piano.
Producing Music | Chupp’s Pianos supplies Grand Piano for Album Launch Concert at The Goshen Theater
Local musician Abbie Thomas of Goshen required the use of a piano for her debut album launch concert. Held on June 12th at the historic Goshen Theater, this event promoted her album and kicked off her tour schedule. Our logistics team arranged for and executed the delivery of a fine Kawai Grand Piano for use during the concert. Chupp's Piano Service is pleased to partner with and support local artists in the creation of wonderful music! Below are a few photos showing the delivery of the piano to the beautiful venue.
LIVE from the Showroom – “Seven Nation Army” // Live Cover @Chupp’s Piano Service, Inc.// Abbie Thomas // The White Stripes
"I'm beyond thrilled to have partnered with @Chupp's Piano Service, Inc. to kick off my live performance "location series" with a cover of "Seven Nation Army" by @The White Stripes. Two of my favorite musician friends to play with joined in, too! Johnny Smith played the Djembe (and handled our sound recording!), and Cameron Tomasbi on electric guitar.
This is part 1 of a series of 3 that we filmed at Chupp's Showroom. The next two videos will be original songs from my upcoming album, "Who I Am", that debuts on June 11, 2021. Subscribe to my channel if you would like to check out parts 2 & 3. To learn more about the upcoming album, head to my website, www.abbiethomasmusic.com.
Chupp's Piano Service has been taking care of my 5'3" Pramberger for many years. I'm beyond thankful they were excited to be part of this project! They provided a restored 1928 Steinway for this video series, and I've never played a more beautiful instrument (or even feel worthy to play it!)" - Abbie Thomas
“We are enjoying our new piano every day.” – Family Purchases Steinway Model B from Chupp’s Piano Service
Testimonial - "Being able to play such a wide variety of examples (5) of the specific model we preferred to purchase gave us additional confidence in our decision."
Working with customers and helping them select the piano that is right for them is always one of the most exciting parts of a workday! This family was seeking to purchase a Steinway & Sons Model B for their son. Our team worked with the family in selecting a Model B out of a broad selection of instruments that varied in age and characteristics. They were kind enough to send in a testimonial about the piano and their experience working with Chupp's Piano Service. We wish them many happy years of musical enjoyment!
“Everything was just as described – the regulation, the pristine quality of all parts, the finish of the exterior.” – Chupp’s Pianos Testimonial
Testimonial - "I never anticipated that I would actually purchase a grand piano without having played it in person first."
We are always excited to assist our customers in finding the piano that fits their wants and needs the best. Often, this includes the selection of a piano by a client who lives well outside of our local region. The team here at Chupp's Pianos was recently fortunate enough to be able to provide a beautiful Steinway & Sons Grand Piano to one of these national customers. We worked with them via email, phone, and video call to ensure they received an instrument that met their expectations. Our network of expert piano delivery specialists allows us to deliver across the entire country - and even overseas! They were kind enough to send in a testimonial about the piano and their experience working with Chupp's Piano Service. We wish them many years of musical enjoyment!
Time To Tune! Why Getting Your Piano Tuned in the Fall (and or Spring) is a Good Idea!
In Tune With The Seasons - Piano Tuning by Chupp's Piano Service
Fall is in the air. The air is a bit chillier, hot cider is back on the menu, Thanksgiving plans are being worked out... and it's time to have your piano tuned. For many pianists and piano owners, getting their acoustic piano tuned in the Spring and then again in the Fall is akin to a family tradition. But why is that the case? This quick blog article covers why this musical habit is one you may want to place in your toolbox.
Testimonial: “It is my dream piano come true.”
"The fit and finish of the case makes the 80 year old piano look like it was freshly minted from the factory..."
In the business of restoring and selling pianos, recommendations and reviews from our friends and clients is always a great encouragement. One of the things that we assist with quite often, is the selection of a piano by a client who lives well outside of our local Northern Indiana region. The team here at Chupp's Piano Service was recently able to provide a beautiful Steinway & Sons Grand Piano to one of these customers. We worked with Randall via email and phone to ensure they received an instrument that met their expectations. Our network of expert piano delivery specialists allows us to deliver across the entire country - and even overseas! Randall was kind enough to send in a letter about the piano and his experience working with Chupp's Pianos.
The Hamburg Steinway Factory – A Historic Report of Differences – ft. Excerpts from a Rare Report by William T. Steinway
Posted on March 29, 2020
at 9:18 pm
by Benjamin Rogers /
Piano History, Restoration, Steinway Pianos
An Historic Glimpse Into the 70's Hamburg Steinway Factory
One of the most unique parts of the Steinway story, is the tail of two factories. Although with a name like Steinway (originally Steinweg), one could not be blamed for initially thinking that Steinway & Sons is a German company, transplanted to the United States. In fact, that is almost reversed. Founded in 1853 in the city of New York,Steinway & Sons was the brainchild of German immigrant Henry E. Steinway. Launching his new piano business into one of the most cutthroat and competitive businesses of his day, Henry and his offspring would quickly grow the company into one of the powerhouses of modern day music. As demand increased in the United States, demand increased overseas as well. The decision was made to open a factory overseas and the Steinway name returned to Germany - the City of Hamburg, to be exact. In 1880, C.F. Theodore and William Steinway founded the Hamburg Steinway Factory. A wholly owned venture, this new factory allowed them to avoid high import tariffs and allowed for easier distribution of their newly built pianos throughout the European market. Today, the Hamburg division continues to serve this purpose and most of the countries outside of North America are supplied with instruments crafted in Hamburg. Here in the United States, Hamburg Steinway pianos are often viewed as more 'exotic' and are known to posses a different tonal quality when compared to their New York factory brethren.
Set A Virtual Piano Selection Appointment! – Chupp’s Piano Service Showroom
FIND YOUR DREAM PIANO – FROM YOUR COUCH!
During this unprecedented time, we are still able to assist you in your search for your dream piano! Via phone, Facetime, Skype or email, a member of the Chupp’s Pianos team can take you on a virtual journey through our showroom selection of premium rebuilt Steinway & Sons and new Kawai pianos. Interested? Call us at 888-831-5820 or connect with us via our contact form below.…
COVID-19/Coronavirus Statement – Chupp’s Piano Service, Inc. – New Paris, IN
Statement on COVID-19 and How To Set a Showroom Appointment
Chupp’s Piano Service values the health and well being of both our team and our clients. We have taken continued steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus) in our area. Our team is still working in the shop on piano rebuilds and repairs.
We ask that if you are interested in playing/evaluating one of the instruments we have for sale, that you contact us ahead of time to set up a private selection appointment. This allows us to maintain a minimum number of people inside the piano showroom area at any one time.
If you are interested in this, we are currently funneling all customers through our Showroom entrance, which is separate from our main Rebuilding Facility doors. We ask all showroom visitors to wash their hands/use hand sanitizer before playing any pianos. Please do not set up a selection appointment if you exhibit ANY symptoms of COVID-19! A big thanks to all of you that continue to support businesses, including Chupp's Pianos, during this unprecedented time. 🎹
“Chupp’s (Pianos) offers a winning value proposition that few can match.” – Testimonial
Testimonial - Long-Distance Client Finds Their Dream Steinway
One of the things that we assist with quite often, is the selection of a piano by a client who lives well outside of our local region. The team here at Chupp's Pianos was recently fortunate enough to be able to provide a beautiful Steinway & Sons Model B Grand Piano to one of these customers. We worked with them via email and phone to ensure they received an instrument that met their expectations. Our network of expert piano delivery specialists allows us to deliver across the entire country - and even overseas! They were kind enough to send in a testimonial about the piano and their experience working with Chupp's Piano Service.
Why Should I Buy A Bigger Grand Piano & Other Frequently Asked Questions
Why should you consider springing for a larger piano? What do the pedals on a Steinway piano do? What about a 'free' upright piano? In today’s blog post, we cover a few of the piano-related questions we receive here at Chupp’s Piano Service.
What Is The Benefit of a Large Grand Piano?
Besides the amazing focal point that a large grand piano can give any room, there are a number of benefits that come with the purchase and use of a large grand piano over their smaller cousins. The first benefit you may notice when you begin to play is the superior level of control many large concert grands provide. Much of this can be traced back to the longer key sticks. What is a piano keystick? Traditionally crafted from a premium pine or spruce, the long wooden keys are capped with a keytop. (It is important to note that a piano key extends in length far beyond the small part at the front that is touched by the pianist.) Pianos of yesteryear boasted keytops of genuine ivory and ebony. Today, the most common materials are high-grade plastics and polymers. These materials are more environmentally friendly and less prone to cracking or yellowing. The larger key bed and action cavity space in a concert grand gives enough room for the length of the keys to be extended to their optimum length. The longer piano keys allow for greater precision and control over each note.
Boston vs. Kawai Pianos – Clearing the Confusion
What is a 'Boston' Piano? - Designed by Steinway?
Question: I've been looking at purchasing a new piano. What is the deal with Boston pianos? I was told they were Steinway pianos, but I also heard they are built in Japan. It is getting a bit confusing!
1992 - The Launch of the Boston Pianos
It is first good to know a bit of the back story behind the Boston piano brand. In the early-1990s, Steinway & Sons decided that they wanted to have their dealers offer what they considered to be a full line of pianos. This would range from the highest tier Steinway & Sons, down to entry-level uprights. The introduction of the Boston pianos in 1992 was the first salvo in their battle for a wider range of the piano market. Steinway & Sons contracted with Kawai Musical Instruments in Japan to build pianos under the Boston name. Kawai had, and continues to be a strong competitor to Steinway around the world. Kawai builds the Boston piano for Steinway in Japan, without many of the innovations and improvements that are standard in Kawai instruments. (Including the Millennium III ABS-Carbon Action, keybed reinforcement, etc.)
Boston pianos were 'designed' by a group from Steinway that had little experience in actual piano manufacturing. A few little things were changed such as string size, case design, etc. Today, as it was then, Boston pianos have much more in common with real Kawai instruments than Steinway & Sons pianos. As they are built by Kawai, Boston pianos are of solid, good quality - there is no debate on that.
"I would like to emphasize that this is not a Steinway & Sons project." - Bob Dove, Boston Piano General Manager, 1992
North Carolina Family Purchases Grand Piano from Chupp’s Piano Service – Testimonial
North Carolina Family on their Chupp's Pianos Kawai Grand
We were recently fortunate enough to be able to provide a beautiful Kawai Grand Piano to a family in North Carolina. They were kind enough to send in a testimonial about the piano and their experience working with Chupp's Piano Service. It is always a joy to be able to help pair up a 'perfect piano' to a new home!If you haven’t watched Chupp’s video, “The Garage Piano,” I encourage you to do so. This video showed me Mr. Chupp’s integrity and the heart of this family business, and I immediately knew that I wanted them to rebuild my circa 1891 grand piano. I contacted them right away via their website. Tim Chupp called me back, and we discussed the rebuilding process and the costs involved.