Each piano has a different touch/sound and you can really feel the difference on your fingertip. I tried out the baby grand (5'0) as well as the studio (5'4) and the parlor(5'10) grand. You really gotta go there in person to check it out. Every bit as shiny but with more character. It is nothing like the lackluster look that I had in mind, but a deep, rich, red color, with wood grain you can see. I went into the store thinking I wanted a shiny black baby grand and walked out a mahogany-convert. The piano is so gorgeous pictures don't do it justice. If you are looking for endless delays, then apologies, then neglects, you are looking at the right place. Such was the service if you give a big job to Rich (not some happy 5-star factory tour from other reviews). On the online forum, around the days he didn't reply to his customers, he was interacting with others (again, these are well-documented). While Rich has apologized publicly saying his has had personal issues for the last 6 months, I noticed his personal issues only stopped him from replying to me or some other customers like he said. He called Rich, but has gotten no reply yet. Today the technician found out the back of the piano was damaged during moving. Rich then promptly apologized and booked the technician. As a week went by with no bookings and again no replies on how the booking went, I went to an online piano forum to write a negative review. Imagine you were told the piano would come during December, and the owner disappeared for a month, leaving you wondering what has happened? (all the neglects are well documented on my side) At last, after a whole year, finally we received the delivery of piano, but it required a technician to fix minor problems. It was a truly scary experience.For example, just last month, when the piano was supposed to be delivered, I texted Rich twice asking politely where the piano was, only to no replies. After the apologies, Rich would disappear again.So during the entire year, whenever I thought about the piano, I couldn't help but feel the piano has sunk into a black hole with the restoration fees. Rich would disappear for weeks, then finally picked up the phone, apologized, and told me the schedule was delayed for another time. During which owner Rich Galassini would not return calls/texts/emails for about 10 times. The process took about a year and around $20,000. I recently received my restored Steinway B from Cunningham Piano. They apologized here but managed to take down my review, so here it goes again - PS: the technician found out the back was damaged during moving, so it is still getting resolved. While Cunningham is not local in the area I live they are a local business in their New Jersey and Pennsylvania stores. Yet, I chose to purchase from Cunningham Piano because I felt understood and appreciated as a customer.A local piano-broker friend told me Cunningham Piano has been around a while and they have an excellent reputation. I asked if they could meet it and they pretty much did.
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The salesman was not a pianist, he was a drummer, and he was not personable or knowledgeable.Hugh quoted me a better price than our local piano store.
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I always try to buy local so when I considered purchasing a new piano, I went to our local independent piano store. He continues to be immediately responsive to any questions or requests.I reside in the mountains of Western North Carolina. His response: "By having a quality instrument you will reach YOUR greatest potential." SOLD.Hugh was and continues to be personable, knowledgeable and accommodating. While I wanted an acoustic piano I mentioned to Hugh that I don't know if I deserve a piano of this quality given where I am in my piano studies. I began studying piano four years ago at the age of 70. Hugh Sung of Cunningham Piano made my recent purchase of an acoustic Yamaha piano an experience of pure joy.