<HTML>In a message dated 9/17/02 10:35:28 PM !!!First Boot!!!, pianoman@cvzoom.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">However, my dilemma is this: As many of you are aware Story & Clark no longer manufacture the Story & Clark piano.  As a result, the manufacturer has no other option but to replace the piano with a piano that they currently represent, which is the Prelude made at the Dongbei Piano Company in Dongbei, China.  My client has asked me if this piano would be similar in quality and value.  I have absolutely no service history with this piano.  Could anyone who has any history or service track record with the Prelude studio provide me with some information that might help.  This is clearly a situation where both parties ( the manufacturer and the customer) have legitimate positions.  I thank you in advance for your input. </XMP> </BLOCKQUOTE> I used to sell Story & Clark pianos. In my opinion, they were very nice instruments. I am not familiar with the pianos currently made at Dongbei, but if they are of the same quality as other Chinese pianos, I would say they are not the same as the Story & Clark. Hopefully S&C will cooperate, and give the customer the money towards the purchase of a Baldwin or an American made Yamaha or Kawai. Those were a little better quality, than the S&C, but the customer will wind up with a piano that is a step up, instead of having to settle for a piano that is step down from what she had. Wim </HTML>