Client Comments

Left, Hannah Addario-Berry, cellist of the Del Sol String Quartet based in California visits our shop during the quartet's recent engagements in the Northeast. Right, Rick Shinozaki, 2nd violinist in the quartet joined Hannah.

Do you both get tired of people telling you how happy they are, how great your service is, what a lovely business model you have created and practice? This continues to be a stellar experience. In my work life--interior design--I am constantly encouraging my clients to appreciate the complexities and qualities of old things. I appreciate your care with these old cellos, and your efforts to communicate their value. Mine: I'll enjoy every minute with it, and recognize the repairs and marks as character scars of a vibrant history. I have my husband to thank for bringing me back to the cello (and I truly, 'til I picked up that little Chinese starter cello, had no idea how much I had lost, back when), and you to thank for helping me find this lovely instrument, and for your flexibility in making it possible. I feel like I've come home. This is really a special day, and I thank you so very much!

All my best,
Christy

I would like to congratulate you about your site and especially about the information that we can find. I am a cellist and a bowmaker (my teacher is Mr. Hubert Chanon) and as I think that we have always something to learn from the others I search on the Web about cello technique and bowmaking and sometimes I find a golden mine.

There are really just few sites like yours so I took a subscription to your publication because I am sure that I'll learn something.

Continue your nice work we need people like you, we can feel trough your site your honesty and your pride to introduce your work to us.

Thanks
Jean-Claude Cajolet, Québec,Canada

You’ve earned all the kind words. Your actions over the last 10 years have earned my trust and respect. I’m sure most of your customers feel the same way and that I’m not telling you anything new or something that you haven’t been told countless times. I am just “going through the motions” to re-enforce the message.

Steve

It’s been about a month since you sent down that lovely cello and I thought now would be a good time to write you a short note and thank you again for all of your help.

First, let’s talk about the cello – She’s a great example of Pacific NW craftsmanship and is starting to enjoy her new home in Florida. She arrived to me exactly as stated over the telephone: she is in excellent, showroom condition. She is also quite lively and vibrant and extremely easy to play and get around on. My instructor, who occupies first chair in the Tampa Symphony, brought her to life by playing for me and marveled at her deep, penetrating low end. Every time we get together for our weekly sessions, she reaches over and plays a few notes – I think she may be having an affair with my cello! For the record, I asked how much she thought the cello was worth and her price was a few thousand dollars higher than what it was sold to me for – definitely value and great service.

For anyone reading this note on the Internet: Paul Perley’s trial service is truly the way to go and kudos go to Melissa for taking the time with me over the phone and making a spot-on recommendation. I’ll pass this on to your readers: Take your time with Melissa and be honest about what you really want and expect from your new cello – she’ll get you there, really. I can confidently say that the Perley’s have made a new friend and that we’ll definitely be doing business again in a few years as my skills and needs grow. Although, I’m not sure I’ll be trading in my new girl, maybe just adding to the family.

One more thought – You should seriously consider promoting the cello bows you sell on your site. I’ve had about 6 different bows of varying quality including brazil-wood, pernambuco and carbon and must admit that the Andre Levi Bow that you recommended for my cello is superb. It always amazes me just how effortless this bow is to use - every now and then I’ll grab my “finest” pernambuco bow that cost me about $1,200 a few years ago and take it out for a drive. Sadly, while the name-brand bow sounds good, it just does not compare to the Levi bow that you provided. I’m already putting aside some money for a back-up bow!

Paul & Melissa – Thank you again for taking the time and working with me to get a really great cello. I hope that the cards you provided find their way back to you in the way of new customers. If you have a customer that is questioning doing business with you – feel free to pass along my Email and I’ll gladly set the record straight on your outstanding customer service.

One last thing, Thanx for the really cool shirt: I'll proudly wear it about town!

All the best,
G. L.

I just want to express a big THANK YOU for helping me find such a fantastic cello. What you said about the sound about this Juzek was absolutely true, a soaring rich and dark A, mellower D, rich G and C. The dynamic range and response is so different from what I have experienced that I had to actually adjust my playing. Even at this early stage, I felt totally at ease with it and it will certainly last me a long time, if not my lifetime. I may not have mentioned this before, I was actually decided on it when you first sent me the picture. I suppose its as 'sixth sense' as it can be. It would be almost impossible to find a cello with a sound like this at this price. Are cellos like this common in the US?

My wife Elaine was initially very skeptical of me putting thousands of dollars into a cello which I cannot feel and hear but now she is happy for me. She said it really sounded truly great.

Some updates:
1) The A string in particular is still low so I still have to observe it for a while more. In addition, it had a very limited playing angle so I may have to adjust the curvature of the bridge a little.
2) I realize that you have cut the top part of the bridge thinner than I have seen the luthier in singapore do it. Can you enlighten me regarding this? What does it do to the cello?
3) The soundpost was absolutely straight when it came and it sounded very good there so I will definitely leave it there.
4) The cello and the sound is definitely settling in as I find more time to practice on it. The raw edge of the strings are going off.

Apart from it, its been great! If nothing goes wrong, the very first 'public' performance will be for my local church in 2 week's time, a fitting occasion as its certianly been a faith experience in this past month.

Thank you and I hope we can keep in touch. If I am ever in US, I will do my best to pay both of you a visit.

Warmest Rgds,
C.H.

"Thank you ...for providing sincere service to us that was truly customer oriented. You not only aided us every step of the way in choosing a cello and shipping it to Japan, you also answered all of our many questions and have given us great piece of mind that we're in good hands with an instrument from Paul Perley, and always will be." D.T., Georgia and Japan

"...to share some good news, I just won the principal position with (the) Memphis Symphony. Thanks for getting me the cello for it." M.Y., Florida

"The difference (in my bass) is truly amazing, especially in the low end; phenominal, in fact. Last night in a small semi-acoustic blues gig, the band was blown away, almost literally. I think it could actually cut it quite well as an orchestral instrument at this point; the low end under the bow is monstrous, even though Obligatos aren't famous for their E-string." T.B., Vermont

"I could not be happier with the quality of the work and the service that PPC has provided me. I absolutely love the bass you recommended for me and all of your advice has been incredibly helpful. I never hesitate to sing your praises whenever I can. Thanks!" S.G., Essex, Vermont

"I just wanted to let you know how happy I am with my new (Barbara Theobald) cello. It is everything I wanted and everything you said it would be. Both you and Melissa did a great job matching me up with it. I appreciated the fact you kept me posted and you worked very hard to get it to me promptly. Because of your honesty and integrity I would gladly recommend you to anyone wanting to buy a cello. Three weeks ago I played it in my first recital with my new cello. I played a solo and I also was invited to play with the youth orchestra at Georgia Southern University. I got many complements about my cello’s beauty and warm rich sound. My teacher also loves my cello which pleases me because I value his opinion greatly. My skills have greatly improved in the seven months I have had it. It could be because I look forward to playing it so I tend to practice a bit more. I enjoy not having to fight and wrestle my cello to get a great sound. Thanks to you both and especially Barbra for producing such a lovely instrument. It is obvious it was made by loving hands. Have a wonderful summer. All the best." K.B. Georgia

"I bought several wonderful cellos from Paul during the 1990's. He was very gracious to deal with and found lovely instruments for me in whatever price range I was looking. I introduced him to my teacher and he found a superb instrument for him as well. What is unique about dealing with Paul is it feels like your dealing with a close, longtime friend, yet I have never met him in person. He holds a special place in the heart's of the musicians across the country with whom he deals. Thank you, Paul, for your warmth, expertise and integrity." G.S., night time cellist, Jackson, MS

"Thank you so much for recommending the Juzek cello to me. It's absolutely fabulous! The sound is so rich!" C.M. Vermont

"I still think this is the best bass I have ever heard or played." L.B. New Jersey

"(the cello) sounds and looks 50% better. I was really impressed by the higher quality sound." D.K., Arkansas

"Thank you so much for the beautiful cello and your excellent service" S.W., Massachusetts

"Thank you for the loving care and repair of my cello" F.E. , Connecticut

"I want to thank you for all the effort and sacrifice you have made to help my little girl get a cello worth playing." M.D., South Dakota

"You came highly recommended and I can certainly see why." M.S., New York

"Thanks so much for the unique violin. I can't believe the compliments on my playing since I got it." S.A., Missouri

"Your restoration work on my viola has convinced at least half my colleagues that I got a new one." M.P., New York

"I love my cello and treasure it mellow tone, more than I can say. Thank you, thank you, thank you." L.N., Maine.

"The work you did to bring my bass's true voice out was amazing- It's over a year later and I still am experiencing the sound as if you had just completed the work: happy happy happy!. I'm so glad to have found you- you're truly a rare bird!" E.P.