Letter of Recommendation | Restored Steinway Model C
Chupp’s Piano Service recently fully restored a vintage Steinway & Sons Model C Semi-Concert Grand Piano for neurosurgeon Dr. Howard Lantner. He was kind enough to send in the following letter of recommendation about his experience purchasing from Chupp’s Pianos.
“I had taken piano lessons as a child for few a years. While I enjoyed it, it was a chore to practice, so quit after elementary school. I had hoped to resume it down the road. 24 years later, I finished school and training and settled in Connecticut. My parents still had the old upright piano in their home and let me take it to my home. I started taking piano lessons on it and hoped that one day I would progress enough to be worthy of a vintage Steinway Grand. That was 23 years ago.
Steinway Model C Plate & Interior
About eight years ago, after 15 years of weekly lessons, I thought I might be ready to make that acquisition. I started searching the local piano market, the NYC market, and eBay. I was very particular about the Steinway C that I would purchase. It had to have ivory keys with a beautiful wood case. I expected the feel and sound to be just right. Finally, I wanted it to be restored to, or above, Steinway standards. Of course, it also had to be priced reasonably. I made many phone calls, inquiries, and visits over the next five years to find my piano. My searching eventually led me to Dennis Chupp about three years ago.
He had a 1898 flame mahogany Steinway C, fully restored, with the ivory keys. The pictures looked perfect, but I would not buy a piano without touching and hearing it. Mr. Chupp solved that problem by offering to bring the piano to my home and give me a few hours to be with it before making a decision. If I didn’t want to keep it, for any reason, his men would put it back on the truck, no charge. We had agreed on the price before it arrived, assuming it was as represented.
“It has become the centerpiece of our living room. I come home every evening and unwind by playing this piece of art.”
The piano arrived and was exactly as expected. It was and is magnificent. Over the three years that I have enjoyed this heirloom, my appreciation of it and the work Mr. Chupp put into restoring it has continued to increase. It has become the centerpiece of our living room. I come home every evening and unwind by playing this piece of art. My wife started piano lessons last year along with our elementary school age daughters.
Piano tuners, a professional jazz pianist, and numerous accomplished amateurs that have seen and played this piano have all been very impressed with the sound and feel. This has been one of, if not the best, investments I have ever made. Thank you, Dennis.”
– Dr. Howard Lantner, M.D., P.C.
Hartford, CT
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