spinets

[Michiel van Loon]

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: Billbrpt@aol.com <Billbrpt@aol.com>
Aan: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Datum: zaterdag 24 januari 1998 16:25
Onderwerp: Re: spinets


>In a message dated 98-01-24 04:33:35 EST, you write:
>
><<  Today, for the first time in my 6 year old career as a piano tuner, I
>tuned
> > a Baldwin spinet.
> . >>
>     Perhaps this is not enough time to learn that most piano technicians
here
>do tune and service spinets on a regular basis.  This is how we earn a
living.
>When the action .............................
>...............................There are only so many expensive pianos that
will only need your very valuable
>tuning skills and nothing else.  When these are serviced and the customer
is
>content with what you have accomplished, the spinets will be waiting for
you.
>Your bank account won't reflect from which kind of piano you earned the
money.
>    Bill Bremmer RPT

Hi Bill,
I'm sorry if I offended you.
I know after a few weeks lurking on this list, if I didn't know it already,
that the situation regarding piano quality is almost the same on both sides
of the ocean. I just blurted out my feelings. It had been a heavy Friday,
with a lot of pianos that were new to me. No real new customers, because I
was just helping my colleague Sjef, who has a lot tunings that piled up at
the end of last year.
It was a surprise to meet this Baldwin, and from the feedback I got, I
understand that Baldwin is not so bad in his category. Now this piano was
bad. It had been restrung, the scale was a bit messy and the tuning pins
turned irregular, some lose some tight. But you if read my message well you
can see that, I also said some nice things about this piano.
No piano is 100% bad or good.
I also have my regular share of inexpensive pianos, neglected pianos and old
birdcages. And I tune all 85 or 88 tones (when prestent !), even if the
customer says that he never uses the whole keyboard.
Like Sjef says: " Executioner do your job!, you're paid to do it".
But for a fine S&S, Bösendorfer, Blüthner or Bechstein grand I'm prepared to
travel a few extra miles.
If a customer asks what I think of her/his piano , I always try to stress
the good points of the piano without hiding what is wrong with the
instrument. But there also moments when I am glad that there no questions
asked.

And to Les : I would suggest to do all birdcage and spinet transports via
the Bermuda triangle.

Vriendelijke groeten,
Michiel van Loon
Meppel
Nederland
http://www.xs4all.nl/~mvanloon
tel/fax ++31 522 255160