Hello,
I've seen what look to be nice deals on the Rick Jones Pianos web site. If I were to see one that really interested me, despite the 10 year warranty, I'd ask an RPT go check it out. I live several states away.

The ptg.org site lists 5 RPTs within a 5 mile radius of 20705, the zip for Rick Jones' place. Does anyone have any experience with these people?

JACQUES, PAUL A
PITTS, DAVID T.
PITTS, ROBIN L.
BEIGEL, CAROL
MEEKINS, JOYCE E

I suppose it's possible that one or more of these folks actually work for Rick, I have no idea...

One thing to consider... the pianos on Rick Jone's website are a fraction of what they really have in inventory. If you get a chance to visit it is pretty impressive to see all the pianos in his shop. I was there in November and was blown away with the quantity of pianos.

Of course if you see something online that interests you by all means have it checked out and go for it. I think their pianos are very good. And no, I'm not affiliated with them, it was just one of the many dealers I visited on my search (was specifically looking at their Schimmels and Vogels). I spent about 2 hours there and they left me alone to play except just to check to see if I needed anything periodically. Definitely a good experience.

Good luck!
Mark

I bought my piano for Rick and would definitely recommend his store. I also lived in the area for many years and used both David and Robin Pitts a lot. (Husband and wife) They are excellent, excellent tuners. I might be inclined to go with David for this type of work as he is a little more "tech" minded, but if I was getting a tuning I would ask for Robin. She puts one of the sweetest tunings on pianos that I have ever heard. Good luck.

I bought my Baldwin L from them 2 years ago, and highly recommend them. I drove all the way out there from central Illinois to check it out, and when I walked in the door I thought I had died and gone to piano heaven. You're wise to find an independent tech to check out any piano you might be interested in.

I live in Rockville, MD and i use Robin Pitts as my piano tuner. I have been very satisfied with her work. Her husband is also a tuner and is supposed to be very good as well.

Emily

Many thanks to you all for your input. I'll be contacting a couple...

Since the technician will be coming to your house over the longer term, I'd look closer to your place, not Rick's....even if you have to pay for travel distance / time, it will be worth it if you have a long term relationship with your tech...

....you'll certainly have one with your piano.

That being said, Rick has lots of good pianos in inventory, and the ones I've played have generally been very well-prepped. They have a fairly good warranty for the pianos they sell, so if you decide that you want a piano from there, or narrow it down to 2-3 that you want a tech to evaluate, it would be worth the time to hire a tech to look all 3 over, and give you a recommendation.


My tech lives in Virginia, out past Leesburg, and is actually closer to my place than where the piano was purchased....he was the store tech, but we've stuck with him for the past 3 years. So, choose your tech for the longer term, and you should outweigh any one-time cost for them going out to Beltsville.

Scott Bannar is a reasonable tuner in the area. Rick Jones is pretty straight forward.