Welcome to this spring update. Although it seems to have been raining for a very long time, we are finally seeing glimpses of dry, warm spells typical with this time of year. Of course, the April showers are also to be expected! It is an annual wonder to witness nature coming to life, something I take great pleasure in seeing throughout the beautiful countryside surrounding Ash Park. Despite the continued challenges of the economic climate, I think the start of 2024 has been kind to us and we can be grateful for a gentle influx of new customers and visitors to the showroom. I wouldn’t say that we are back to previous expected levels of activity but we are enjoying the flow of the showroom, it feels as though we are climbing back towards a more consistent level of business.
We are very excited and pleased to be sending one of our upright pianos to a customer in Iceland! Bjorn contacted us by email to enquire about our fabulous 1998 Grotian-Steinweg Concertino, a truly magnificent upright piano. Using the wonders of WhatsApp I sent video clips of the piano to show its condition and, of course, tonal quality. The piano is now with Butler-Smith ready to be crated and flown over to Iceland where I am sure it will be very well received. Our first, and possibly last, piano to go to that beautiful country.
Wilh. Steinberg pianos continue to be popular choices and our stock of these fine pianos is steadily increasing. The beautiful solid oak S117 model went to a wonderful family home, I ordered a satin walnut S125 as a showroom replacement which has just arrived in the last few days along with replacement P121 and P125 uprights. There are many exciting developments with Wilh. Steinberg pianos including some prestigious European Conservatoires ordering Signature series grand pianos. In challenging times there is a great energy from the company who have chosen to operate as small highly skilled team. Their commitment to producing fine quality pianos and to work with trusted partners sits perfectly with our own ethos and way of working, it feels like the best of the piano trade from thirty years ago!
I am extremely pleased to have recently ordered a new Grotian-Steinweg G113 from Konrad. This will be the first G113 that we have had in stock, I am excited to hear it alongside our G118 and G124 models. Michelle and I both miss having the fabulous G192 grand piano in the showroom, I am hoping it won’t be too long before we can bring one in again.
Piano tuning is as busy as ever. I am at Cheam School tomorrow getting the pianos ready for the new term, Farleigh school and Wellesley Prep school pianos are sounding great! I enjoy the termly visits to these schools and manage to get through many tunings in a day! Richard is off touring in Europe with a band for six weeks so Vicky and I will be flat out tyring to visit as many people as we can. Richard will be busy on his return!
Visitors to the showroom are always welcome. I recently had a great visit from a family who arrived unannounced having not realised we operate by appointment. I was very pleased to meet them despite having just returned from a muddy run in Pamber Forest, my first appointment in my running shorts! Michelle and I will both be pleased to hear from you to arrange a visit and hope that our steady flow of visitors continues.
All the best,
Ben
07778 569839 | www.benwheelerpianos.co.uk
