Schimmels at Costco? was Re: Falconer pianos?

[J Patrick Draine]

I haven't worked on an "American Sejung" Falcone (aka stencil piano  
made in China), but it sounds like the Sejung line is improving in  
quality. I have worked on some Hobart Cables, purchased several years  
ago, that were acceptable, but in need of a lot of upkeep which the  
owners weren't very interested in doing until keys would fail to  
function, etc. Mostly seized action centers and rapid need for action  
regulation  due to felt compression, parts warping etc.
The Boston Chapter of PTG had its chapter meetings at Santi Falcone's  
establishment through the 1980s, and we witnessed his business'  
Steinway rebuilding gradually evolve into the manufacture of his own  
fine piano. So the Sejung Falcone seems like a rather sad event to me.
I did do a post delivery tuning of a Suzuki, paid for by Suzuki (full  
retail price for the tuning). It was pretty solid, but the hammers  
were very dense and bright. With enough needling perhaps there's a  
nicer tone in there somewhere?
Speaking of Costco and pianos, one of my customers says some Costcos  
in Washington state also sell Schimmels -- does anyone have knowledge  
about this? My customer is thinking of having a relative on the west  
coast make the purchase, and then shipping it out here  
(Massachusetts).  Yeah, that could be sticky but she says the markup  
is only 6%!
Patrick Draine

On Feb 20, 2006, at 2:39 PM, Wayne Walker wrote:

> Hello list,
> Has anyone work on the new Falcone pianos from the Sequng piano  
> factory in China? I was wondering what quality of piano they are  
> and do they live up to the Falcone name. The same company is also  
> selling Hobart Cable and Geo Steck pianos.
> I have noticed that Costco in the states are selling Suzuki on- 
> line. Has anyone had any experience with these instrument? It is a  
> shame that the market is going this way on-line and out of state.  
> Costco in Canada is only selling the digital in their store and on - 
> line.
>
> Wayne Walker
> Piano Tuner & Technician
> MUSICSTOP LTD
> 1005 Dow Rd, New Minas, NS
> B4N 3R4
> Cell 902-221-1540
> Fax 902-681-1463
> wayne.w@musicstop.com
> www.musicstop.com
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