It had been a long search to find a high quality used piano, but it seemed that at last I had found one when I learned that a local couple wanted to sell theirs. They had purchased it for their children who were now grown and none of them had elected to take it when they had left home. George and I went to check it out to the best of our limited ability, but explained to the sellers we wanted our highly qualified and trusted piano tuner/technician friend Larry to inspect it before buying it. The sellers were fine with that since, they explained, neither of them played and had no idea how to check a piano for flaws.
George and I had bought our current used piano without taking a technician with us and had gotten a, ‘not so good quality one’ that simply would not hold a tuning, so had determined that its replacement would not be purchased without Larry’s inspection. Happily, I made the phone call to let him know I had found an Everett piano that appeared to be in excellent condition, but we wanted his expert opinion. My heart soared when his interest was immediately piqued upon learning it was an Everett. When he told me Everett pianos were very high quality I set my heart on owning this one. Surely, my Good Shepherd, had this one for me. I just knew it was.
The appointment was made for the inspection. My heart was crushed when Larry discovered it had a hair line crack in the vitally important, bridge. The bridge, he explained, was even more important than the sound board you hear so much about. He said there was no way to determine if//when it would pull loose. Could it be repaired, we asked and if so, how much? He said the bridge would have to be sent to a piano factory for duplication. It was expensive and there was no guarantee it would hold a tuning. He said it was very risky—that sometime it worked and sometimes not. My disappointment knew no bounds. Why? How could this be? When would I ever find a high quality piano we could afford?
Suddenly, in what was an almost audible voice the Good Shepherd ask me, "Do you want My will or your way?" Instantly, my disappointment fled. I knew my Good Shepherd had my best interest in mind. Immediately I said, "I want Your will." Whatever that was, was all I wanted. Some months later Larry discovered an Acrosonic piano, [made by Baldwin], in nearly mint condition for sale in Oklahoma City. (Reason for sale -The owner's wife, who played it, had died.) It was in perfect A440 tune. The price was right. The purchase was made and the piano delivered. Thank you, Lord for your constant care.
Larry and another piano tuner friend, David, have tuned it through the years and comment each time what a great piano it is. I’ve never stopped telling my Good Shepherd that I still want His will, not my way. He definitely knows best.
FYI – The Everett piano I did not buy was purchased by a couple who purchased it after being fully apprised by the owners of the opinion of the piano technician. The new owners contacted the same technician to have the bridge sent off and duplicated. Unfortunately, it was money wasted. The piano never held a tune.