Quality of Lester

[newlove_oldfaith]

I have a Lester Betsy Ross Spinet, its a company out of Philly, most of these were made from 1948-1960, I think this one was made in 1959 but I'm not entirely sure, because I'm fairly certain the piano isn't incredibly special or of real high quality so it's pretty hard to find too much info about it.  The serial number on it is 321667.  i am asking because my family is letting me keep this paino as they are moving across the country and myself being the only one who continues an interest in music (my father took piano for 8 years, but he probably won't admit to it, and my mom at one point played a few intruments, all of which I am now keeping  because she hasn't touched them in years) however I'll also be going away to college so we didn't want to move the piano cross-country, and I don't have a place to keep it, therefore our church choir director is keeping it in his office to teach voice lessons, until I find a place for it when I'm finished with school.

I would simply like to know a little more information about the piano if anyone knows anything, or can help me find some resources.  I've read things that say the pianos are of amazing quality and some that say they are really cheap, some of them being made with plastic parts (such as elbows) that wore out easily, this one doesn't have plastic parts, but perhaps that means they've been replaced or it was made after Lester recalled the pianos with the bad parts.  Any info would be helpful I just thought I should give our choir director an idea of what he was getting, for me it's a family piano with setimental value so it wouldn't matter to me if it was cheap, but considering our church has MANY pianos I would like to know if this really is the best for voice lessons, or if perhaps he should choose one of the other pianos.  (I suppose our church won't let him move the new steinway in there well it wouldn't fit anyway)

Thanks,
Maggs

[rich_galassini]

Dear Maggs,
The Lester Betsy Ross spinet was a nice little workhorse piano that was reasonably priced when new. At Cunningham Piano we have two rebuilders still working who got their start with Lester. Although some of their grands were excellent, this little piano was built to serve students and not break their bank either.

I hope that helps - enjoy!