Under an hour tuning (was labor rates)

[Paul]

Well said, Conrad.

Paul Chick
----- Original Message -----
From: Conrad Hoffsommer <hoffsoco@martin.luther.edu>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 9:33 PM
Subject: Re: Under an hour tuning (was labor rates)


> Terry,
>
> At 19:39 08/04/2001 -0400, you wrote:
> >"Concert pianos on stages and console pianos in living rooms are not the
same
> >kinds of instruments.  I know, for example that when I am going to tune a
> >Steinway grand in someone's home, the time I spend will be much more,
maybe
> >even double."
> >
> >Is that because a Steinway grand is harder to tune? Do you charge 50% for
> >the console? I don't understand your policy here. Please clarify. If my
> >auto mechanic did a significantly better tune-up on my neighbor's new
> >Lexus than on my 18-year-old car, I would not be happy with him/her at
> >all. Is this what is going on here?
> >
> >Terry Farrell
>
>
> What we've got going here is an example of the law of diminishing returns.
>
> You can tune your favorite console or spinet over and over again, but
there
> comes a time when continued effort ceases to produce continued
> improvement.  {Flogging a dead horse quickly comes to mind with some...}
>
> Working on a good quality grand is both easier and harder.   If you are an
> aural tuner you know that what you need to hear is easier to hear, but
this
> also means that any inaccuracies which may creep in _also_ are easier to
> hear.
>
> What to do... ?
>
> The best you can on the instrument in front of you, of course!!!    That's
> what they pay you to do.
>
> If your old car has worn valves and maybe uneven compression, your
mechanic
> can do the best job possible with timing, new sparkplugs, etc, but it's
> still going to idle/run uNevEnly.   Were you cheated because your 18yr old
> car doesn't run as smoothly as that new Lexus?  I don't think so...
>
>
> Conrad Hoffsommer -  Decorah, IA  (563)-382-8525
>
> Usually I try to take it one day at a time, but lately several have
> attacked me at once...
>