Grand Pianos Phoenix

Christian Lopez's Capra-esque Week

Last fall, Houston Astros fan Bob Choate won a year’s supply of doughnuts as part of a prize package at a game. In March, the heavy hand of the IRS taught him a very important lesson: nothing, ever, is free. Choate owed taxes on the $927.10 worth of doughnuts he had won. Lottery winners likewise get hammered with taxes. Even Showcase Showdown winners on “The Price is Right” have to pay federal and California state tax on things they may not even want or need (like remote control cars and baby grand pianos ). And now, Christian Lopez, the man who gave Derek Jeter the ball that his 3,000th came with and expected nothing in return, will likely face thousands of dollars in taxes for accepting an estimated $50,000 worth of goodies, including luxury seats and memorabilia. (Of course, if the IRS considers these items gifts , Lopez might be off the hook.)

His reaction, nevertheless, was Jeter-esque. “The IRS has a job to do ,” Lopez told Mike Jaccarino of the Daily News, “so I’m not going to hold it against them.”

And this is where the story veers into Frank Capra territory. On Wednesday, Mitchell Modell, chief executive of Modell’s Sporting Goods, and Brandon Steiner, head of memorabilia company Steiner Sports, each pledged $25,000 to help Lopez pay off more than $100,000 in college loans. Modell also handed Lopez a lifetime discount card and a 2009 World Series ring, estimated by Steiner at $40,000. Topps plans to feature Lopez in a trading card . Miller High Life announced on Wednesday that they would cover the tax bill on the items from the Yankees. Word on the street is that Mr. Martini even busted the jukebox .

As heartwarming as the outpouring of support for Lopez is, there remains a strong undercurrent of observers who still think his decision was a poor one. Their argument: Derek Jeter is a multi-millionaire who didn’t need a free baseball. “I will never believe that giving away a ball worth many hundreds of thousands of dollars for free to a guy worth hundreds of millions is somehow a moral obligation, or the right thing to do ,” Lisa Swan of Subway Squawkers writes. “I will never think that a guy still living at home with his parents, who has over $100K in student loans, owed the baseball he rightfully caught to somebody who just built a house the square footage of a supermarket.” The Post-Intelligencer’s Christian Caple, calling Lopez a class act, still thinks he should have told Jeter he could have the ball for $500,000, giving Jeter the “kind gesture” of getting first dibs on the ball. “You think that would be selfish? Well, you’re damn right it’s selfish,” Caple writes. “Don’t forget that immediately after Lopez performed this astonishing act of goodwill, Jeter decided to blow off the All-Star game entirely citing exhaustion as the reason he didn’t travel to Phoenix for the festivities. But, oh, hey, yeah, thanks for the ball, kid.

How To Shop For Pianos Phoenix Locations | Government Resources

For those that are wanting to try out something new in music, there are many pianos Phoenix locations to help you with a decision. It does not matter if you are just starting out or been playing for years professionally, there are many options out there. Some people that are just beginning might look into purchasing a previously owned piano. There are some locations that will lease these. With a lease, it allows one to see if they will want to continue playing without putting a big investment in up front.

Choosing the right type of piano is important. Acoustic models are the most traditional, with strings inside, and a standard wood construction. Digital is creeping into the designs of many. Either with full controls, or accompanied features, you can expand your horizons, use it for learning or sound like a full band. Many player models are turning to digital controls now.

You can visit a showroom to look at the various models and try them out. Have an idea of where you will place it in your house. Size, and delivery are common issues for such a large object. Between brands, they all have different feels and sounds to them. To some players this is important in reproduction of certain pieces of music. If you need advice, ask fellow players, instructors or look at your favorite music and what it was composed on.

For styles, uprights are very popular. Larger homes might get a Grand piano, which can be quite expensive depending on the model. Smaller homes can still get a Grand piano by purchasing a Baby Grand.

Depending on the musician, and type of music played, one will want to make a choice that suits their playing type. Many of these end up being more decorative. However, if you are after certain sound types, you will have to shop in certain ways. Many are turning to professional quality synthesizers with larger amplifier/speaker systems due to their versatility and quality.

Look for stores that offer a warranty on their products. Some will even offer a buy back program. These instruments can get to be expensive and there are locations that offer financing if you need to look at that option.

You will find an online search can show many options for pianos in the Phoenix area. Try using your zip code to find a location closest to you. There are even online forums that can give you the option of getting other pianists opinions on selections. By having the right questions, you can get the best selection when going in to finally shop.

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