Music Major & Pianist Purchases Restored Mason & Hamlin Grand from Chupp’s Pianos
“I spent hours at the store deliberating between a few pianos and, after much deliberation, chose a rebuilt 1926 Mason & Hamlin.”
Chupp’s Piano Service of New Paris, Indiana recently had the pleasure of working with Lorraine S. of Central Indiana. She was kind enough to provide the following testimonial regarding the restored Mason & Hamlin Model AA Grand Piano she purchased and her experience working with us.
I recently inquired about a used piano that I saw on Chupp’s Pianos website. Dennis promptly replied and invited me to visit the showroom. I mentioned that I would be traveling near their showroom over a holiday weekend so he and his son, Tim, were kind enough to open the store on the holiday to accommodate my schedule (now that is customer service!).
Tim was extremely patient as I spent hours at the store deliberating between a few pianos and, after much deliberation, chose a rebuilt 1926 Mason & Hamlin. Tim also gave me a tour of the piano restoration workshop, which I really enjoyed.
As a former piano major, piano teacher, and church musician, I had not owned a piano for over five years since moving into my new home. Buying a grand piano is a major investment, so I had plenty of trepidation as to the cost, new versus used, and the brand after having searched online over a period of time. Overzealous salespeople are a real distraction to me, so I liked that Tim did not pressure me into buying anything, but instead let me browse and discuss at my leisure.
Illinois Pianist Provides Testimonial in Support of Chupp’s Piano Service
Chupp’s Piano Service of New Paris, Indiana recently had the pleasure of working with Timothy Clifford of Illinois. He was kind enough to provide the following testimonial regarding the Steinway & Sons Model L Grand Piano he purchased and his experience working with us.
“Dennis was very knowledgeable and generous. He was able to find me an instrument that fit my needs and budget. No other dealer or private seller had anywhere near the same offer in terms of quality and price. I have a graduate degree in piano performance and so I am picky about what I want in a piano. Chupp’s provided me with an excellent option.
This was the first time I shopped with Chupp’s but the third piano I’ve purchased. I doubt I will ever buy an instrument from anyone else ever again. Buying a piano can sometimes feel like buying a new car. Dealers can sometimes be dishonest and there’s always the feeling of settling. This was NOT the case while I was working with Dennis.
Everett & Steinway Grand Pianos Restored for Indiana Pianist
Rare Grand Pianos Restored by Chupp’s Piano Service for Carolyn Ripp
Chupp’s Piano Service recently fully rebuilt two rare grand pianos for Carolyn Ripp, a pianist here in Indiana. The first piano we rebuilt for her was a stunning Steinway & Sons Model AR grand piano in an African Flame Mahogany cabinet. This piano was originally a player instrument, built around the legendary Steinway A-3 scale design. The second was a powerful Everett 9′ Concert Grand Piano. An incredibly rare instrument, this 9′ concert grand boasts an incredible quality of tone and touch. Built during the company’s early days in Boston, this is one of only a handful of these pianos still in existence. Carolyn was kind enough to send in the following letter of recommendation regarding our piano restoration work.
Dear Dennis and the Entire Chupp’s Team,
I am seriously failing for words to describe the beauty of the two pianos you restored for me. The Steinway came first and its remarkable restoration was breathtaking. Then the unusual Everett came and we could hardly believe the volume of sound that it produces. Now I am enjoying picking the piano that will render the music at it’s finest. Every key plays perfectly, every sound is rich.
Now that both are together again, I appreciate these instruments more than ever before. I always knew they were both special, but to play them now, it is just a decadent experience. Even my tuner said that when he presses a key to tune, that it is so beautiful, he feels like he is “playing” these pianos and enjoys every sound! It really shows how much your staff really appreciates and cares for the pianos that come their way. Every step of the process of achieving this remarkable result has only added to the whole, wonderful experience. BRAVO!! I have played many fine instruments of rare value, but I couldn’t want anything more. This IS the most exciting time of my life. Thank you!
Meet Me In St. Louis – Chupp’s Pianos at the 60th Annual PTG Convention – 2017
Chupp’s Pianos Exhibits at the 60th Annual PTG Convention & Technical Institute
If you were staying at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel this past week, you may have seen a few pianos around. The 60th Annual PTG Convention & Technical Institute was held in St. Louis and Chupp’s Piano Service served as one of the ‘Key Sponsors’ and manned a booth in the exhibit hall. Dennis, Tim and Ben alternated between manning the booth and classes, while Philip attended a number of classes over the course of the convention.
The piano we exhibited was Steinway Model A-3 Grand Piano #188826. Built in 1918, this nearly 100-year-old piano is quite rare due to its quarter sawn oak cabinet. This wood was used very rarely on Steinway pianos and very few of them were ever built. (More info on this piano can be found here.) Piano makers represented included Yamaha, Bosendorfer, Kawai, Mason & Hamlin, Schimmel, Pearl River, Hailun and Blutner. (New Steinway & Sons was not present in the hall.)
In The News: From The Top, An Interview With Hirotaka Kawai
Music Inc. Magazine Interview With The President of Kawai
Kawai Musical Instruments president Hirotaka Kawai sat down with Frank Alyker of Music Inc. Magazine to discuss Kawai’s 90th anniversary and the growth and philosophy of the Kawai company. Founded by Koichi Kawai in 1927, Kawai has grown to become one of the leading piano makers in the world. Over the years they have also manufactured organs, synthesizers, and guitars.
Through all of this, however, they have remained focused on their primary goal – the perfection of the piano. Chupp’s Piano Service is proud to be the authorized Kawai dealer for the Michiana region.
Dr. Charles Clevenger’s Farewell Recital | Cedarville University
Cedarville University Professor Retires – Farewell Recital
Longtime professor of music Dr. Charles (Chuck) Clevenger gave his farewell piano recital at Cedarville University recently. Dr. Clevenger performed on a Steinway & Sons Model D Concert Grand that we fully rebuilt and provided to the university. He visited our shop last year along with other faculty and students from the university’s piano division last year when they were selecting several restored Steinway grand pianos from us. We wish him happiness in his well-deserved retirement!
Chupp’s Piano Service Hosts Area PTG Meeting – January 2017
January Piano Technician’s Guild Meeting Held at Chupp’s
The January meeting of the local Piano Technician’s Guild was held at our rebuilding shop in New Paris, IN. Dennis taught a class on proper Dampp Chaser Piano Life Saver System installation and specific issues they may run into when installing them onto Steinway grand pianos. Other various piano tech related subjects were discussed amongst the group as well. We look forward to the next meeting!
Lois On Her Restored Mason & Hamlin Model A Grand Piano
Indiana pianist selects vintage Mason & Hamlin Grand from Chupp’s Pianos
We recently provided Lois from Richmond, Indiana with a restored vintage Mason & Hamlin Model A Grand Piano. She was very happy with her newly restored instrument and was kind enough to send in the following letter of recommendation.
Dennis and Crew,
Thank you so much for making my Mason & Hamlin dream become a reality. Your talent for restoring pianos is overwhelming. I never thought this kind of talent existed. There are too many pianos out there just waiting to be helped. My gratitude to everyone, thank you again…
IN THE NEWS: Chupp’s Pianos brings famous Steinway & Sons pianos back to life
The Elkhart Truth Features the Work of Chupp’s Piano Service
NEW PARIS — Tucked away in a corner of Elkhart County, a special brand of vintage music is being made – well, actually remade.
The restoration of famed Steinway & Sons pianos – the most famous name in pianos – has become the specialty of Chupp’s Piano Service, a New Paris business founded in 1975 by Dennis Chupp, a master piano technician.
Chupp, who learned his trade of restoring and prepping Steinways, has sold more than 2,000 models. The business not only restores and repairs, they tune, locate, move and set up pianos.
“A local concert technician, Walter Boshart, helped me through my journey of becoming a piano technician and it took me 10 years to get used to the job,” Dennis Chupp said. “We had arranged training at the Steinway factory and had trained with the head Steinway service rep. (Fred Drasche)”
Indiana Family Purchases Kawai Grand from Chupp’s Pianos
Deb & Rob On Their New Kawai GX Series Grand Piano
Recently we were happy to provide a Kawai GX-2 Blak Series Grand Piano to Deb and Rob in LaGrange, Indiana. We also installed a new QRS PNOmation3 Player Piano System on the instrument. They were kind enough to send in a testimonial about our service, which we have included below.
“I am so very thankful for Chupp Pianos! When my house burned down, Tim got me a replacement estimate very promptly, so I could send it to the insurance company (at their request).
And even though it was almost two years until I was moving into a new house, they remembered and took very good care of us, meeting us at their showroom twice and giving us a tour of their impressive rebuilding facility in New Paris.
Ohio Pianist Selects Restored Steinway M from Chupp’s Pianos
Kevin Vietmeier On His Golden Era Restored Steinway
Recently we were able to fully restore a golden era Steinway & Sons Model M Grand Piano for pianist Kevin Vietmeier. We were all very pleased with the tone and touch of the finished instrument. He was kind enough to leave a five star Google Review for us which we have reprinted below.
“After searching for a grand piano in Pennsylvania and Ohio (including official Steinway stores), I stumbled across Chupp’s and drove out to play a Model M they had on sale. The owner, Dennis, was extremely patient and walked me through his restoration facility explaining the entire process of restoring a vintage Steinway. After playing some of their fully restored pianos, I was greatly impressed and decided to purchase a 1923 Model M and have them do a complete restoration.
Dennis and Tim were both upfront and honest with me throughout the entire process, and in the end I got a beautifully restored Steinway with the gorgeous tone I was expecting and unfortunately not hearing when playing brand new Steinways at other stores. I have had two technicians play the piano, and both were astounded at the excellent workmanship put into this instrument.
Music Director Selects Steinway Model D from Chupp’s Pianos
Stephen Baker of Bethany Lutheran Church Selects Steinway Concert Grand
Recently Chupp’s Piano Service provided Bethany Lutheran Church of Spencer, Iowa with a pre-owned Steinway Model D 9′ Concert Grand Piano. Music Director Stephen Baker was kind enough to send in the following testimonial.
I searched all over the Midwest looking for a used concert grand for our church, and after playing dozens of pianos in Minneapolis, Iowa, and Michigan, I didn’t find a better piano or a better value than at Chupp’s in Indiana.
When the piano arrived, the word spread throughout town and people were so excited that a couple dozen people showed up just to watch the piano get unloaded and installed in the sanctuary. People who had never seen a 9′ Steinway were actually moved to tears at just the sight of it!
Letter to the Editor: Reader Appreciates Rebuilt Baldwin Piano
Joyce Brown of Edwardsburg, Michigan sent in this very nice letter to the editor to The Elkhart Truth about the historic Baldwin Model M Grand Piano we rebuilt and presented at the Ruthmere Museum in Elkhart, Indiana. The piano was originally built in 1938 at the Cincinnati Baldwin piano factory and was the personal piano of the Deputy family, the last residents of the Ruthmere Museum. This instrument was donated to be placed in the museum by the Deputy family and was fully rebuilt by the team here at Chupp’s Piano Service.
An outstanding musical gift to our community was presented at the Ruthmere Museum Friday night April 1. The event welcomed back a totally restored 1938 Baldwin Baby Grand piano, generously funded by the original owners, the Deputy family.
The Evolution of Musical Tools | From 4-Tracks to Music Streaming
Hear The Difference | Through the Years with Music Technology
The way we create and listen to music has changed dramatically over the years. Since the 1960s, advancement in music technology has seemed to escalate at an ever quickening pace. In decades past 4-track tape machines were the norm. Today, tablets and computers allow us to create, listen and interact with music in ever changing ways. Take a look at the handy info-graphic below for more about the fascinating evolution of music technology.
IN THE NEWS: Chupp’s Restores Historic Baldwin Piano for Elkhart Museum
Chupp’s Piano Service Restores Historic Baldwin Grand Piano
ELKHART – “A community is the sum of its shared history, so in an age when information is created, shared, has trended and is forgotten in a matter of minutes, museums represent something different.
“What makes local history important is that people who are living in the community today — that they understand what the roots of their community are all about, and it’s very distinct from one community to the next,” Bill Firstenberger, executive director of Ruthmere Museums Campus, said in an interview. “We’re a place that reminds the residents and visitors to our community what we’re all about: both good and bad, but hopefully mostly good.”