In trying to come up with my next story, I decided to post my partial list of clients and at random, or when the spirit moves me, I’ll pick one of the followint and run with it. If you want to hear about a favorite from this list, let me know and I’ll be happy to tell the story.
Some Notable clients we enjoy servicing or have serviced in the past.
Cheyney University (RT)
Widener University (RT)
George Blood, Recording Engineer, Philadelphia Orchestra (PT)
Pierre and Elise DuPont (R)
Bobby Short (VA)
Michael Feinstein (VA)
Duke Ellington Band (VA)
Oscar Peterson (VA)
Sarah Vaughn (VA)
William Bilson (VA)
New School of Music, Tamara Brooks (RT)
Temple University/Main Campus, Ambler Campus, Center City Campus (RT)
Vladimir Sokoloff, Curtis Institute, WHYY (VA, ASR)
Rudolph Serkin, Mozart on the Square (VA)
Pennsylvania Ballet (RT)
Philadelphia Opera Company (RT)
Philadelphia Musical Academy (RT)
The Walnut Street Theater (RT)
The Hershey/DoubleTree Philadelphia Hotel (RT)
Annenberg Center, University of Pennsylvania (RT)
Davidsbund Chamber Players (RT)
Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia (RT)
Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts (RT)
The Philadelphia School (RT, R)
University of Pennsylvania, CC Campus (RT)
Rutgers University, Camden Campus (RT)
Mozart Orchestra, W. Jerome (ASR, VA)
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, T. Brooks (RT)
Robin Hood Dell (RT)
Andrew Willis, New School, Official Pianist/Philadelphia Orchestra (PT)
Natalie Hinderas, Temple University (PT)
Lambert Orkis, National Symphony (PT)
Richard Raub/Academy of Vocal Arts (PT)
Richard Rome (VA, ASR)
Susan Starr, Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts (ASR, VA)
Claus Tennstedt (VA)
Philadelphia Singers, M. Korn (RT)
Vladimir Horowitz (VA, ASR)
Arthur Rubinstein (VA,ASR)
Joseph Plon (PT, VA)
Chestnut Hill Academy (R)
Chestnut Hill College (R)
Settlement Music School (ASR)
Arden Theatre Company of Philadelphia (RT)
Richard Goode ( PT)
Victor Borga, Valley Forge Music Festival (VA)
Dr. Nicholas Provenzale (VA)
Albany Records (VA)
The List Continues…
Benjamin Whitten, West Chester University (PT)
Shirley Aliferis, West Chester University (PT)
Nijole Dedinas, West Chester University (PT)
West Chester University School of Music (R)/Visiting Artist Series (VA)
American Music Theater Festival (RT, VA)
Magnetik Productions (WFLN/Franklin Broadcasting) (RT)
Malcom Bilson, Cornell University (R)
Bill Balkin (VA)
Dr. Robert Sataloff, DMA (PT)
Dr. Dahlia Sataloff, DMA (PT)
Michael Korn (PT)
Marc-André Hamlin (PT)
C. Alan Lightcap (R)
WHYY Radio (RT)
Elizabeth N. Morgan, Ph. D, Associate Professor, St. Joseph’s University (RT)
St. Joseph’s University (RT)
The Agnes Irwin School (RT, R)
Bud Dengler, Music Director, Agnes Irwin School (PT, R)
Ridley School District (RT)
Rose Tree Media School District (RT)
Wissahickon School District (RT)
Methacton School District (RT)
Westtown School District (ASR, VA)
‘We The People’ Celebration of Philadelphia (VA)
St. Lukes of The Epiphany Church (RT, R)
Dr. William Gatens, Good Shepherd Church, WFLN RADIO (PT, R, RT)
Dr. Terry Klinefleter (PA, R, RT)
Jonathan Bowen, St. Luke’s of the Epiphany, (PT, R, RT)
Kim Beamon, St. John’s Church, (RT)
Dr.Vincent Craig, Main Line Unitarian Church, (RT, R)
North Penn High School (R)
Gratz College (RT)
Arden Theater (RT)
Carol Lawrence (R)
Steven Sondheim (ASR)
Philadelphia Academy of Music (ASR)
Kimmel Center (ASR)
Alexander Fiorillo (PT)
Professor Harvey Wedeen (PT)
Temple University ( RT, R, Instructor)
Richard Goode (PT)
Albert Franz, (PT)
LEGEND : PT = Personal Technician R = Rebuilding Client VA = Visiting Artist
RT = Resident Technician ASR = Artist’s Special Request
NB: The above list is to demonstrate an outline of our more recognizable clients. This list is, by its very nature, incomplete. The above is in no special order.
Industry and Trade Clients Serviced
by
Ralph Joseph Onesti Piano Restorations:
The following is a list of those for whom we have worked over the past fifty plus years. These are capable technicians and/or manufacturers, the most discerning type of client a rebuilder might service. To be chosen and accepted by one’s peers nationally, as their custom piano rebuilder or consultant, is truly an honor. Pianos from the following are in service all over the United States.
Michael Sweeney Piano Craftsman, RPT (R,C) Wayne, PA
Donn Young, RPT, Accurate Piano Service (R,C) Devon, PA
James Chadwick, RPT (R,C) Drexel Hill, PA
Judith Palmer, RPT (R,C) Merion, PA
Webb Phillips, RPT, Mainline Piano Service. Allied Guild (C) Horsham, PA
Peter Reichlin, RPT (R,C) Washington’s Crossing, PA
Victor Benvenuto, Sr., RPT The Piano Shoppe (R,C) Philadelphia, PA
Joseph Benvenuto Piano Service, MPT (R) Mt. Airy, PA
Edwin C. Trefz (R,C) Norwood, PA
Joseph Sciortino Piano Service (R), NY
Copelin Piano Service (R), Arkansas
Wesley E. Beaumont Piano Service, (R) Princeton, NJ
C. Alan Lightcap Restorations (R) Lambertville, NJ
Leary Musical Service (R,C) Cleveland, OH
Stuart Davidson Pianos (R,C) Sioux Falls, SD
Ralph E. Nelson Pianos (R,C) Hayward, CA
Polans, AMICA (R) Long Island, NY
LA Piano Service (R) Los Angeles, CA
Sol Kohen Piano Service, RPT (R,C) Horsham, PA
Henry T. Meyerman, Sr., RPT Piano Service (R), Wilmington, DE
Steven P. Winder Piano Service, RPT (R), Harleysville, PA
Aeolian Restorations, Rebuilders (R), Sumneytown, PA
John Daubert Piano Service (R), Barrington, NJ
James Ficca Piano Service (R), Wilmington, DE
Nicholas Natale, B&N Piano Service (R), Aston, PA
Stephen Prentice, RPT Piano Service (R), West Chester, PA
Richard F. Rioux, Piano Service (R), New Egypt, NJ
C. Paul Joseph, RPT Piano Service (R,C), Upper Darby, PA
Thomas Sterner, RPT (R,C), Wilmington Opera House, Wilmington, DE
Howard Stickley III, RPT, Piano Service (R), Philadelphia, PA
John Campbell, RPT, Piano Service (R), Phoenixville, PA
Steve Houck, RPT (R), Baton Rouge, LA
Herman Giersch, Media, PA (RTC)
The list continues….
Various National Insurance Companies (Appraisal Consultant and Forensics)
Young Chang America (RTC,C)
Kawai America (RTC,C)
Mason & Hamlin (RTC,C)
Yamaha Piano Company (RTC)
Samick (RTC,C)
Pacific Piano Supply Company, Van Nuys, CA (R)
Best Piano Services, Putnam Valley, NY (R)
Luca Music, Mineral Spring, RI (R)
Meridian Music, Indianapolis, IN (RTC)
Wilmington Piano Company, Jordan Kitts Music, PA, DE (RTC,R,C)
Aeolian American Piano Manufacturers (RTC)
The Smithsonian Institution RTC
Philadelphia Museum of Art (RTC, R)
Brandywine River Museum (RTC)
Cunningham Piano Company (R)
Warner Piano Company (C)
LEGEND
R = Rebuilding Client C = Field/Shop Consultant RTC = Regional Technical Consultant
RPT = Registered Piano Technician MPT = Master Piano Technician
NOTE: Rebuilding clients’ work consisted of higher-level types of shop work not normally handled by in-house personnel such as: soundboard, pinblock, bridges, and action manufacturing and design.
QUALIFICATION:
NEITHER THE COMPANY: RALPH JOSEPH ONESTI PIANO RESTORATIONS, NOR THE INDIVIDUAL: RALPH J. ONESTI, IS AFFILIATED, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH, ANY OF THE ABOVE-NAMED INDIVIDUALS OR COMPANIES. IT IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT ANY WORK PERFORMED FOR THE ABOVE INSTITUTIONS IS STRICTLY BY CONTRACT AGREEMENT ONLY. THE COMPANY RALPH JOSEPH ONESTI PIANO RESTORATIONS, AND THE INDIVIDUAL: RALPH J. ONESTI HAVE BEEN SEPARATE ENTITIES FOR THEIR ENTIRE EXISTENCE IN THE FIELD OF PIANO TECHNOLOGY.
PERSONAL BACKGROUND: Ralph Joseph Onesti, RPT
(Registered/Qualified/Certified Member of the Piano Technicians Guild an international association of qualified, certified piano technicians)
Registration Number: 6898
Federal Number: 23-2491388
Having several decades invested in the piano industry, the necessary background, skills, and expertise were drawn from many critical areas. Now recognized, both regionally, nationally, and internationally, RALPH JOSEPH ONESTI PIANO RESTORATIONS is responsible for setting, and keeping, the standard for the highest quality instrument restorations, as well as efficient and timely service in the home or on the concert stage.
The following is a chronological outline and brief biography of the education, training, development and related experiences leading to the aforementioned credentials:
• Temple University, Drexel University, Community College of Philadelphia - Engineering
• Temple University, Philadelphia Musical Academy - Music Education
• Violin manufacturing, 3 years
• Acoustic classical guitar manufacturing
• Studied With:
John Scheer; tuning, repairs, concert preparation.
• Instructor for:
Temple University/Main Campus, two-semester, four credit course in Piano Technology.
Piano Technicians Guild: Local, Regional, National, and international levels.
Master Piano Technicians of America: Local, Regional, National levels.
• Subject Expert:
Appraisal expert in the field or Piano Technology for high level insurance companies, auction houses, attorneys, piano owners for sales and insurance, Internal Revenue Service for non-cash donations for over 4 decades.
Listed with the Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys. (TASA)
Experience in; deposition, mediation, arbitration, and court.
Top expert in the New York Times owned web site: Allexperts.com
• Chapter President: Philadelphia Chapter, Piano Technicians Guild (past/2 years continuous)
• Member: Rebuilding Standards Committee of the International Piano Technicians Guild (past)
• Member: Testing Standards Review Committee of the International Piano Technicians Guild (past)
• Chairperson: Regional Testing Center Committee of the International Piano Technicians Guild (past)
• Chairperson: Northeast Regional Advertising Committee. (past)
• Recipient of Distinguished Service Award - Rose Tree/Media School District 1994
• Published in the International Piano Technicians Journal
TECHNICAL BIOGRAPHY: Ralph Joseph Onesti, RPT
1964 to Present:
Early on, it was quite evident to family and friends that Ralph Onesti had an uncanny talent for understanding and memorizing, not only the mechanics, but also the physics, of many things. Soon after, he began his studies in the field of Piano Technology in 1962, with his uncle, a longtime Piano Craftsman. After showing great accomplishment and determining that he could do no more for Ralph, his uncle sent him to become an apprentice to one, John L. Scheer, a nationally recognized technician. Once under Mr. Scheer’s tutelage, he became proficient in various, essential, field techniques. This was to become the start of RALPH JOSEPH ONESTI PIANO RESTORATIONS.
In addition to running a piano service business, with a growing passion for acoustical instruments, Ralph then studied violin making and classical guitar building with a local luthier. Through this experience, coupled with his own perceptive and acute awareness, the need to be further educated was acknowledged.
It became very clear to Ralph that for him, working with the piano would not be limited simply to tuning and repairs. As always, he would not be satisfied until he fully understood every aspect of the job he was to undertake. Therefore, he enrolled in studies in the field of engineering, specifically the areas of Acoustics and Physics.
Having acquired the book knowledge, he then set out to further familiarize himself through training with several recognized leaders in the piano industry. In every case, as recognized by these masters, the student quickly surpassed the mentor. In addition, he felt it imperative that he not only become somewhat proficient at playing the instrument, but also that he completed courses in Music Education.
It is therefore, evident that a full background, including engineering, music education, piano studies, and studies in the field of stringed instruments, has laid the foundation for Ralph Onesti becoming one of the most recognized piano remanufacturers in the country and the finest service facility in the Delaware Valley.
Onesti, realizing that perfection in any field is impossible, continues to strive for improvement in his day-to-day work. As a result of this attitude, and his desire to give back to the field of Piano Technology, some of those benefits that he has derived, he set out to instruct those less knowledgeable than he. His teaching has taken him from private lessons in his shop, to teaching a full Piano Technology Course at the university level, as well as teaching regionally, nationally, and internationally for The Piano Technicians Guild and the Master Piano Technicians of America. Add to this, a combination of his desire to help and his engineering background, and you have the development of several innovative, rebuilding tools, created by Onesti and used nationwide by piano remanufacturers today.
In conclusion, all instruments rebuilt or serviced by RALPH JOSEPH ONESTI PIANO RESTORATIONS, are, in their completion, the consummate result of one person’s commitment to provide the very finest restoration and service facility available.
When the dog bites, when the bee stings…
No, these are not a few of my favorite things, but recently a few clients asked what my pick of the best piano might be.
There isn’t one anymore!
At one time there were over 100 manufacturers in New York alone. Now, only one. If fact, in the United States, there are three: Charles Walter, Steinway, and Mason & Hamlin.
What happened? Nothing. You must remember that we have about 300 million people here. But, we have been making and selling pianos since the mid 1800’s. Virtually every household has a piano. We burned out our market…that’s all. “Even our piano in the parlor, daddy bought for ten cents on the dollar!” Are you old enough to remember that?
So, the piano, invented in Europe, was developed largely in the Philadelphia area and bubbled to the top in New York.
Where do I see them? And remember, this is just one man’s opinion, not the law. And I hope I didn’t, but I may have missed one or two in any of the levels.
The creme de la creme: Which is the best? The one you like the most. They are all way up there in quality. Some have more or less name recognition depending on your station in life. If you are a pro, you probably know all of them. If not some of them you may have never heard of, but then how many of us is familiar with the Lamborghini?
Bechstein
Bluthner
Fazioli
Schimmel
Seiler
Bosendorfer
Steinway & Sons
Kawai – Shigeru
Yamaha – S class
Honorable mentions: Schulze Pollmann Pianoforte, Kawai GX and the Yamaha CX, these are really strong instruments.
The Middle class:
Charles Walter
Kawai mid-level
Yamaha mid-level
Estonia
Boston
Young Chang
Petroff
Mason & Hamlin
Some of the upper-class manufacturers do have a mid-level brand to compete in that market, so you have to be cautious, not every Kawai is an upper-level instrument. However, in both Kawai and Yamaha, their X series are pianos to be taken seriously!
The rest fall to the bottom. These are generally Chinese or Korean made pianos with German or American names. Not to worry, some of these names will climb in stature and quality as the markets change as Yamaha and Kawai did.
Then there is the used market - a mine field. Don’t go without protection: a Registered Member of the Piano Technicians Guild. They can run interference for you. There are some great buys out there and some terrible traps.
The last market is the rebuilt one. When I closed my shop, unfortunately, many of the top rebuilders followed suit, sad! One in particular, David Hughes closed, and I cried. He started following me and quickly surpassed me. There is Lindeblad in Pine Brook, NJ. I see their work when they come my way. You have to be pretty sure of yourself to send someone like I out to do warranty work on your rebuilt piano, LOL. However, Lindeblad is doing a stellar job from what I can see. The retailers send their work out, many times to Mexico, again, careful! I am not one of those technicians that beats down everyone else’s work. If it’s good, it’s good. But if it’s bad…oooopps.
One final word: WARRANY!
Some have 5 years some 10. Some are transferrable, some not. Do your homework!
Ciao,
Ralphie