Response from Ch. Walter on their pianos

Irwin Goldberg is having some trouble with the Charles Walter pianos that he purchased and he posted his disatisfaction here. Charles Walter is getting in touch with him directly, but asked that I post the following response for list members on their behalf:

Rich Galassini Cunningham Piano Co. Phila.,Pa. (215) 991-0834

WALTER PIANO RESPONSE TO CRITICISM OF 9/06/02 We read with great concern comments recently made concerning our pianos. We very actively pursue the few warranty issues that do arise, and I think most of our dealers and customers will readily agree. In fact, we have been overwhelmed with responses from people telling of these criticisms so that we may respond promptly and appropriately. The matters mentioned in recent comments have not been addressed to us. I would like to comment point by point so that the reader may have a clear understanding of each issue that has been raised.

The Charles R. Walter pianos use the finest nitro cellulose lacquer finishes available on the market today. In fact, they are highly admired in the industry as being among the finest. Our finish is certainly of the same quality or higher than those used in years gone by in both the Sohmer and Everett factories although they are formulated to better protect the environment. Our lacquers still come from the same company that both we and Everett used when they were yet in business and we continue to use their top line products!

Also, the veneers used are of the finest quality available whether they be Oak or otherwise. We have not had any complaints or problems concerning the durability of the veneers. Although we were experiencing no particular problems, we did about six months ago make a production change that will help to make the veneers more durable along the back edge of the side. However, the general durability of the veneers is outstanding, and there have been only comments as to their beauty.

Particleboard, MDF, and flakecore have NEVER been used in Charles R. Walter pianos since their inception in 1976. In studio pianos a seven-ply edge band core is used along the front edge of the side to provide a stable base for veneering. Otherwise, all cores are solid poplar or basswood, a wood commonly used in high quality wood products because of its stability as a core material. Any consumer may confirm this very easily simply by opening the piano top and looking at the top edge of the side. The edge band and solid core are very apparent.

Our back posts are made of a very fine grade of sitka spruce. Sitka spruce is considered an excellent material for this purpose because of its great strength and light weight. Obtaining strength while minimizing weight has always been a design parameter in pianos since they already are necessarily heavy due to the rigid cast iron plate. When Everett was in business, we obtained the same back materials (except for dimensional differences) from the same manufacturer, and they were often even delivered on the same boxcar!

However, it is true that spruce will dent and splinter if it receives hard direct or glancing blows. This has never been a problem in our piano, because it is very unusual for the back of the piano to be subjected to such treatment. If a school anticipates a piano being moved around quite a bit, we recommend, and they generally buy, a Melody Cradle. The Melody Cradle is a large wheel carriage that makes moving the piano very easy and which, by virtue of its design, does not permit the back of the piano to be damaged. We recently sold over twenty pianos to a school system that in addition to having the Melody Cradle factory installed, also requested a specially designed bumper strip that encircles the sides and front of the piano to protect further against damage during moves. This school system purchased several pianos from us years ago with the same features and has indicated that it has worked very well. They also expect shortly to be again ordering a quantity of pianos from us upon completion of other schools in their district.

We did have a brief period when our bench rails did not hold up due to the substitution of a heavier corner bracket that weakened them. This has since been corrected, and we have replaced under warranty such bench problems. Although our benches have otherwise been sturdy, we are continuing to investigate some further changes to make them even better.

We believe strongly in fulfilling our responsibility to stand behind the 12 Year Full Warranty on our vertical pianos. It is one of, if not the, finest warranty on the market. With normal care and maintenance, our pianos are built to last and provide years of service and enjoyment. If anyone is having a warranty related problem with his or her piano, I urge you to contact us so that we may have the opportunity to serve you!

Virgil W. Wesco 9/10/02 Vice President/Service Department Walter Piano Co., Inc.

Richard Galassini Cunningham Piano Co Phila,. Pa. 1 (800) 394-1117 URL:http://voce88.tripod.com/richspianopage

Thanks, Rich. It's always nice to get the other half of the story.

Occasionally they were, but most of them used poplar core, just like the Walter.

No, the core stock used in the side panels is poplar. Same as most old uprights.

'Melody Cradle', they'd sell a lot more of 'em.

They don't have a marketing department. The marketing they get is by word of mouth, from satisfied customers have experienced the high quality of their pianos first hand, technicians who have experienced their high quality first hand, and dealers who are so impressed with their high quality that they are willing to educate the consumer who has never heard of them about their pianos. And who, by the way, correct bad information given by people who don't know what they're talking about.

Larry Fletcher Dealer/technician

Doing the work of three men.....Larry, Curly, & Moe