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"Iain
Gordon who rebuilt my historic 1913
Hamburg Steinway O grand is a master-craftsman
who lives for his trade. In a throw
away culture where to accept less
than the best is promoted by confident
marketing and meretricious publicity,
Iain is one of the few who practices
a craft in which there are no compromises.
A piano is as good as its last tuning
and maintenance. Iain not only rebuilds
and restores with infinite care,
but he takes on a good piano as
a member of his family. It is a
very personal thing, and a source
also of personal pride. A relation
ensues in which player, craftsman
and the music itself sustain each
other in the service of art"
Clive Bush, Emeritus Professor
of American Literature King's College
London.
"Thanks again for all the work
you've done, Iain. The piano is
just incredible. I honestly never
thought I'd own one that plays and
sound’s like mine does now."
Ben Argyle BA
Making Dreams
Come True
"Dear Iain
I believe I have now ascended to
what I can only be described as
the 'Bush Plain'. This is a high,
fuelled by a potent mixture of wonder,
excitement and utter disbelief.
I had always imagined Steinways
were owned by people with mansions,
models and multiple cars of exotic
pedigree. Never by ordinary people
like myself.
Every so often, I find myself peeking
into the dining room just to check
that the Steinway is really there.
When I sit down to play, I feel
like pinching myself. The bass almost
growls in the arresting manner of
a sports car engine. The richly
textured and unique Steinway tone
envelopes one in a sound system
to end all sound systems. Even scales
and arpeggios sound wonderful on
this instrument. I have become a
child again, once more bewitched
and bedazzled by the real and fantasy
worlds which combine in a most treasured
toy.
My particular Steinway journey began,
as you know, in a troubled way.
At the Steinway showroom, I fell
in love with the model B and yet
a new B was financially out of reach.
Luckily, I found myself talking
to you and you persuaded me to bid
for a B at the next auction. As
you also know, I was pretty unhappy
with the chosen instrument. The
action was inconsistent and unreliable,
the middle range tone was largely
absent and I was loathe to bid for
such an expensive item purely on
the basis of a telephone relationship.
Clive's words of reassurance were
crucial. It was still a shock though,
when the hammer fell and the deed
was done. I was convinced for many
weeks afterwards, that I had made
the wrong move. It was extremely
helpful to meet you at the next
auction and at the Steinway showroom
where you were able to explain to
me why my piano was ailing and how
simple (relatively speaking) it
would be to put things right. I
am so glad that I kept faith.
Understanding how pivotal the top
action and a new set of hammers
were to the problems the piano was
having meant that the dark tunnel
now had some light at the end of
it. When you installed the new action
last week I knew we were out of
the tunnel, even though you had
yet to complete the voicing. I now
have an instrument that responds
accurately and faithfully to my
input and in which I now have utter
confidence. Any aberrations are
now mine and mine alone. It is as
good as new. My years in the piano
wilderness are over.
So, Iain, your role in this has
not really been that of piano technician,
though skilled and true has been
your craftsmanship. Your role has
been to make a dream come true.
A dream so large and improbable
and so deeply buried that I was
unaware that it even existed. I
am really fortunate to have met
you and I will always remember the
impact your efforts have had on
my life.
I only hope that I can be as high
as the 'Bushman' is, and for as
long.
Thank you."
Grahame Merifield
John York writes:
"Over many years I have sought
a piano technician who really cares,
who can fix those little niggling
problems, who can advise on piano
mechanics and the possibilities
of improvement in my pianos - and
who will tune them as perfectly
as it is possible to do it. To find
all these skills in one piano technician
is very difficult but Iain Gordon
has them all. He is totally reliable,
thorough, patient, passionate about
the subject - something we all share
as musicians - and brilliant.
His charges are reasonable and certainly
justified - and his aftercare is
second to none.
I would not hesitate to recommend
his services to anyone with a piano
they love and use. Iain Gordon can
maintain it to its highest potential."
John York
Pianist
Senior Music Head of Department
at St Paul's Girls' School Professor
at Guildhall School of Music and
Drama
"Iain Gordon
Having researched intensely in search
of a piano, I purchased a 1900 Schiedmayer
upright just over a year ago.
After it was delivered it needed
to be retuned. I immediately set
about searching for a good piano
tuner. Being the researcher I am,
I spent weeks hunting for a piano
tuner, local, far and wide. This
took weeks. I practically interviewed
each one over the phone and was
relieved when I finally found Iain
Gordon. I felt I needed somebody
with sound experience for this type
of piano. When I spoke to him, I
felt confident with my choice, as
his background, education and expertise
is second to none!
I am so pleased when Iain comes
to do the tuning, he clearly shares
my passion for getting the best
out of my piano and always finds
time to inform me of the condition
of my piano and demonstrates the
improved results after he has finished.
He has also advised me on the best
way to keep the woodwork in fine
condition. (That’s Mr Sheen
back in the cupboard!). Not only
does he tune, he applies technical
maintenance inside and out as necessary
which should not be confused as
one.
I consider myself at Intermediate
Level and love Classical Music,
and when I have burning questions,
I save them for when Iain has finished
tuning my piano and find he is always
happy to share his knowledge.
I feel privileged to have him come
to my home to tune my piano and
would gladly recommend him to everybody!
Many Thanks Iain"
Susan Okukenu
I had always dreamed of owning a
Steinway baby grand, but never believed
that it would be possible. Iain
helped me through every step of
the way, from searching all the
pianos at the piano auction, finding
a perfect Steinway for reconditioning
that I would never have spotted
and then working with the french
polishers to transform it into the
most stunning piano. It is beautiful
to look at and unbelievable to play.
The transformation is amazing. I
still pinch myself that it is mine
and thank Iain wholeheartedly for
his help. I could never have chosen
this piano without his help.
Karen Hack
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