A Visit to Cunningham Piano Company

[southpaw]

This afternoon I took my search for a small grand to the Cunningham Piano Company, happily close to my home in Philadelphia.  I learned a lot in a short time and played several pianos.

They invited me to try an amazing Estonia baby grand.  At thirty thousand dollars it was way above my price range, but I loved having a taste of a great instrument.  I was especially astonished at its precision damping.  The sound stopped instantaneously when I lifted my finger, as if cut with a knife.  I've never heard anything like it.  Effortless control. 

More in my price range, I tried a baby Yamaha (too bright), a rebuilt Baldwin (too dull), and a 5'10" Kawai (very nice, but too big for my space). 

I liked the model they put out under the Cunningham name.  Made in China, it is mellow and fun to play.  Does anyone have one?

[alanteew]

I don't, but I also live in the Philly area and visited Cunningham a few years back. They're just wonderful in every way. I recently bought a 5'10" Kawai in private sale (not from them). But I did call them for advice before selecting which piano to buy. My budget was below their inventory but the guy spent time with me anyway going over my options.

The best piano I've ever played was an M&H in their showroom. They let me sit and play for quite a while. The bass was just, I don't know how to describe it. It was right.

They "get it."

[hfmadopter]

Just curious, was that the new 5'4" model that you tried, the one they play at the Cunningham site ? Because if so, is the difference between a 5'4" and 5'10" really going to make it so tight the Kawai won't fit in ? Asking out of curiosity but also, I'd think at 5'10 ( if it did fit in the room) the bass would sing out at you just a bit more. Not that the Cunningham sounds bad mind you !

I'm sure the Cunningham is a fine piano, when these companies set up shop in China or overseas in general, they usually send tooling and engineers and such from the home factory, along with QC people over there. So the standards don't drop a lot these days. They just want the cheap help and low pressure/low cost regulations, they still produce fine instruments..

Always fun to try out pianos though ! I'm just totally being nosey.
David

[liszt85]

I don't, but I also live in the Philly area and visited Cunningham a few years back. They're just wonderful in every way. I recently bought a 5'10" Kawai in private sale (not from them). But I did call them for advice before selecting which piano to buy. My budget was below their inventory but the guy spent time with me anyway going over my options.

The best piano I've ever played was an M&H in their showroom. They let me sit and play for quite a while. The bass was just, I don't know how to describe it. It was right.

They "get it."

I don't live in the Philly area but I got the chance to visit them when I was there for a conference. Rich gave me a tour of the entire facility.. its amazing! I played every piano imaginable. Rebuilt Steinways, Estonia, Mason and Hamlin... and my favorite, the big grand Bosendorfer! The Bosie is my dream piano. Some day... some day!

[southpaw]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

The Cunningham model I tried in the showroom was 5'1". They promised to get a 5'4" on the floor for me to try.

I could fit a 5'10" grand into my living/dining room space, but it would dominate the area and squeeze my dining table out.  A 5'4" would fit more comfortably and could even be turned along the perpendicular wall.  I'm not ruling out the larger piano, depending on the price and how much I fall in love with the instrument. 

I'm finding out how personal a choice this is.  A friend loves the brilliance of his Steinway M, but when I play it, it sounds harsh.  I want something mellower but not dull. I think I'll know the right piano when I find it.

The Bosendoerfer is still there. I was going to ask to try it but was afraid it would spoil me for every other piano. 

[hfmadopter]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

The Cunningham model I tried in the showroom was 5'1". They promised to get a 5'4" on the floor for me to try.

I could fit a 5'10" grand into my living/dining room space, but it would dominate the area and squeeze my dining table out.  A 5'4" would fit more comfortably and could even be turned along the perpendicular wall.  I'm not ruling out the larger piano, depending on the price and how much I fall in love with the instrument. 

I'm finding out how personal a choice this is.  A friend loves the brilliance of his Steinway M, but when I play it, it sounds harsh.  I want something mellower but not dull. I think I'll know the right piano when I find it.

The Bosendorfer is still there. I was going to ask to try it but was afraid it would spoil me for every other piano. 

Very personal. Right now I have my grand at a stage that the sound is just a bit dissonant, almost haunting sound but pretty, I can mellow it out by softening the hammers but for what I've been playing lately I like it as is. I softened one hammer a bit too much, I may have to varnish that one up a bit.

Also, really you have to play a new piano in before you will get a true rendition of how it's going to sound. You need everything to kind of take a set as it's all new right now. And fit a piano to your room. The 5'4" may be just perfect in that room. More piano may just rattle the windows, I have a 5'9" and at times with the top fully open, hear lamps jingling ! The room it's in is 13x17 ft with hard wood floors and no carpeting. Carpets can change the entire effect.