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J. Mark
Full Member
Member # 19734
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posted
November 15, 2006 07:51 PMNovember
15, 2006 04:51 PM
I am
new to this forum, so I hope I'm not violating any rules or protocol. I had
an experience today that, to my mind, deserves mention here.
Several days ago, I contacted a local piano dealer, Allegro Pianos, whose
shop is about fifteen minutes from my office. The woman who answered was
very nice and suggested I make an appointment to come in. After that, I
posted a question here about Chinese grands (etc), and one of the people
who responded with helpful info happened to be Ori Bukai, owner of Allegro.
Today I made an appointment and went there.
In over 40 years of playing various musical instruments (all badly, I
should say), I have never had an experience like this. Ori welcomed me into
his beautiful shop, his wife offered me coffee, and we spent *three hours*
together. I insisted I didn't want to take up too much of his time, but he
made it clear he was happy to do this as long as I was willing to stay.
I learned more in that three hours than I think I've ever learned in such a
short period. Most of what Ori explained, showed and demonstrated was stuff
that he knew had no real "relevance" to my purchasing decision,
as it related to pianos well above my budget. He simply said he thought I
should know these things. It was a tremendous experience.
Among other things, Ori took a lot of time to show me details of the
Bluthner Model 1 that he had (I was obviously awed by it). Ori played
almost every piano in his shop for me. Repeatedly.
There was never, once, during the entire visit, even the slightest
"sales" talk. Whenever I asked about prices, he just encouraged
me to forget about that for the time being, and just listen and learn. That
was definitely the way to do it, as I did not have "price
information" to influence my thinking.
My impressions...fwiw...and I am not a "trained ear" for the
piano.... First, the Bluthner was the most exquisite instrument I think I
have ever seen or heard. Oh if I had that kind of money! (I was actually
surprised at how low the price was.) I think I was able to discern the
different sounds of the Steinways, the M&H's, and the various other
brands (apart from learning a great deal about their various construction
and design). Same with the Yamahas (he had a few) and others.
Without any apparent "suggestion," I concluded that the pianos
that I liked best in the shop were the Estonias. I was very surprised when
I learned the prices (I finally managed to get him to tell me the prices
before I left). These seem like a great deal. The Bohemias were also impressive
for the money. I was not tempted by the Asian pianos, when played next to
these.
There is nothing like having a knowledgeable, gracious, low-pressure (no
pressure), thoughtful, intelligent, articulate person sit down and explain,
in great detail, the various things that make pianos different from each
other. Thank you, Ori! I will be speaking with you soon...
Mark
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J. Mark
New York
Posts: 28 | From: Westchester County, NY | Registered: Nov 2006 | IP: Logged |
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Posted November 5, 2006
lilylady
500 Post Club Member
Member # 10349
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posted
November 05, 2006 02:11 PMNovember
05, 2006 11:11 AM
I am so
proud of myself for overcoming the fears that I have had over the past year
to travel into the big city and explore the pianos on Piano Row, as well as
Allegro Pianos (just north of the city). I traveled by Amtrak to Stamford
where Ori met with Bernard (traveling from the Brooklyn) and myself. Then
used the inexpensive Fung Wah busline from Chinatown to travel back to Boston
two days later.
There have been two uprights that I wanted to try before concluding my
upright quest. The Bluthner and the Grotrian.
Allegro Pianos
We were very impressed with both Ori and his whole operation. (see pics
below) The shop is warm and comfortable, filled with finely prepped grands
and a few uprights. Although I was there to try the Bluthner upright (and
loved it) I am now affording myself the luxury of trying grands as well.
When, if not now?
An enthused Ori gave us Piano Course 101, 201, 301, and even 401 - hearing
and evaluating tones! (smile Ori)
This helped greatly as we explored the pianos and evaluated what we were
hearing. I now can 'hear' the attack, sustain, and decay much better. Most
interesting was hearing how the Estonia's attack seems to 'open' immediately
into more sound rather than just dropping off. I guess that is what gives it
its lushness.
He then left us, upon request, to just play them all!
The Bluthner upright has a beautiful pure tone (as well with the grands).
Plenty of ability for power, yet having a cleaner bass than I have noted on
others. Playing chords in the bass did not sound too rich or muddled. Playing
Bass melodies was heavenly.
Bernard and I then started on the grands. Bluthner - all three sizes were
nice. Would that we could, own one!
Mason Hamlin - personal preference was the BB (no surprise!) but it was fun
to watch Ori immediately perform an action adjustment to the AA and
reposition it to the next room for sound differences.
Estonia - Knowing many owners on PW are in love with Estonias, I was anxious
to hear them in person. It was a different sound which enveloped romantic
pieces. And the furniture exquisite.
Allegro Pianos is divided into two rooms. This helps us relate to a home
setting.
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Posted October 21, 2006
Ryan E
Full Member
Member # 17987
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posted
October 21, 2006 09:24 PMOctober
21, 2006 06:24 PM
Sunday
afternoon we drove over to Stamford to Allegro Pianos. Our experience there
was one of a kind. Ori greeted us warmly at the showroom door. He had
arranged for entertainment for our four children while my wife and I received
what I will call the Allegro Experience. For those of you who have not been
to Ori's showroom, there are many details about the experience that I will
purposely leave out. I will sum all of those details up in a single sentence.
Ori operates under a different business model that ensures his success and
the satisfaction of his customers.
If any of you are struggling in the piano industry, I would suggest that you
hire Ori as a consultant. I have no idea whether or not he is available for
consulting, but if you are not, Ori, you would do well to consider it. Since
our visit, I have been seeking ways to implement aspects of the Allegro
Experience in my own business (totally unrelated to pianos).
Now for the pianos and my impressions. First, let me say that I have never
played better prepared pianos. While you may think this is an unequivocally
good thing, it really has two sides. The down side is that Ori's showroom is
not like the typical piano store where there is one or a few pianos that
really shine for you. All of the pianos feel and sound fantastic…
…The AF
until my Allegro Experience had been the only piano I wanted to sit and play
for hours. I would have liked to play all of the pianos at Allegro for hours.
As it was, we were there for several hours…
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Ryan
Posts: 64 | From: New York | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged |
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JerryS88
Full Member
Member # 16113
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posted
October 22, 2006 02:18 PMOctober
22, 2006 11:18 AM
It was
fun reading your description of Ori's presentation, Ryan, since I had the
same feeling when I visited his showroom - like being a kid in a candy store,
and isn't it ridiculous that you can play piano all your life and never learn
how it is constructed and how it works? From my experience shopping at many
other showrooms, I was surprised at how many pianos seemed not to have been
prepped, or were poorly prepped. I just don't understand how people can buy a
piano based on future potential, so I really appreciated how well prepped
Ori's pianos were.
Posts: 94 | From: Ringwood, NJ | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged |
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Posted October 22, 2006
CC2 and Chopin lover
500 Post Club Member
Member # 14508
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posted
October 22, 2006 03:06 PMOctober
22, 2006 12:06 PM
About a month or so ago I had the undeniable urge to
begin the search for another piano. I recently sold my Steinway B and
Bechstein A, foolishly believing I could get along just fine with just one
acoustic Concert Grand and one terrific digital. I was wrong....very wrong. I
had been spoiled by the wonderful ability to play different instruments, with
different characters and personalities, whenever I felt like it, and there
was no going back. Those of you who have spent time in great piano showrooms
know what I mean. So my search began. Having read many, many posts on this
forum by and about Ori Bukai of Allegro Pianos in Stamford, CT, I was drawn
to his showroom, and curious to meet the "man behind the myth".
Well, the first thing I have to say is that it is NO myth. Ori, and his wife
Rebecca, run the most amazing operation I have ever encountered in ANY business
I have dealt with. YOU, the customer, become the focus of their day. You are
given the time, respect, attention and education a person deserves when about
to make, what is likely to be, one of the single largest, and most
meaningful, purchases they will ever make in their lifetime. The collection
Allegro displays is nothing short of astounding. Masons, Steinways,
Bluthners, Bohemias, Estonias....they are all there in all their magnificent
glory, prepped, regulated, voiced and tuned to perfection, so that your
buying experience is nothing short of spectacular!!! Ori spends hours and
hours on each piano, bringing out the most each has to offer, so that his
customers can make an informed decision. Suffice it to say that I did NOT
leave empty handed that day....below is the result of my time with Ori and
Rebecca. My Mason CC2 has a wonderful new mate to share the room with. This
is truly one of the most incredible pianos I have ever played. Ori and
Rebecca, thank you!!!!! (Those of you with questions, I will be happy to
answer them now
![[Wink]](internetSayings_files/image019.gif)
)
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justwarren
Full Member
Member # 14292
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posted
October 24, 2006 01:34 AMOctober
23, 2006 10:34 PM
Wow!
Amazing Piano(s)! The wood on the Estonia is just fabulous, and the M&H
doesn't look at all shabby either! I was at Ori's twice with my daughter, I
had the same experience. He was solicitous and totally sincere. He has an
amazing assortment of pianos and is, beyond his many opinions, extremely
knowledgable. Best of luck!
Posts: 47 | From: Westport, CT | Registered: Jan 2006 | IP: Logged |
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Posted October 18, 2006
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JerryS88
Full Member
Member # 16113
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posted
October 18, 2006 06:29 PMOctober
18, 2006 03:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jollyroger:
Personally, my visit to Allegro Pianos was by far the most
informative I've ever encountered in any dealer (no disrespect intended to
other dealers - JMHO). The first 2 hours were filled with demonstrations
and discussions of grand action cross sections, sound board demos and a
presentation on what goes into designing and building a piano - from the
ground up. It was a much of a learning experience as it was a playing
experience.
Ditto,
ditto, ditto, and outstanding after-sale service too.
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Posted October 18, 2006
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Luckypianogirl, 11/05, CT:
Hi everyone,
Well we went to visit Ori at Allegro Pianos today. .He did a wonderful job in
explaining the piano making process, the difference is the makers, and of
course mesmerized us in his piano playing.
Then we unleashed my daughter…when she played the Bluthner, well need I say
more. She tried both the Model 4 and the Model 2. I believe she feel in love.
She loved the clarity and the tone of both. She felt the model 2 was even
cleaner and deeper than the Model 4. At this point I feel she has chosen the
Model 2. She just played until her heart was content. And now she is wondering
when can it arrive.
![[Roll Eyes]](internetSayings_files/image023.gif)
… Anyways, again thanks to Ori. He was terrific, anyone that needs too
understand pianos, see him. He was great.
I will let you know what comes next.
Thanks Again,
Lucky Piano Girl
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