I was dumbfounded that other day when I went to do a pre-purchase inspection of a grey market Yamaha G5 the other day. The piano was at one of these warehouse wholesalers of grey-market Japanese pianos they import by the boat-load. There are about a half-dozen "pie-anna technicians" that seems to work there. They have little booths in the warehouse and they "rebuild" pianos. Basically, new strings, hammers, and paint. Pianos out in the showroom are absolutely HORRIBLE (look great - play and sound horrible). Anyway, while tuning the G5 a youngish dude walks up to me and asks me about the little blue machine I have with the rotating lights. Seems this 4th-generation piano tuner (about 30 years old) has never even heard of a Sanderson AccuTuner. He asked me if I was a Guild member. I said yes. He said he had gone to a few meetings but "all they did was talk about the neighbors dog and stuff like that - they were all so old and I guess I don't have anything in common with them". Then he showed me his little piano cubby. He proudly showed me the Steinway he was installing the plate into. "I just put this soundboard in - another tech made it for me - this is the first one we have done here - I'm just getting ready to string it." Well, he was in fact installing the plate. The original bridge was already glued in place with original notching, original dagged top surface, and original bridge pins. So what's he got here? About a one-in-a-hundred chance that the bridge will be at ideal elevations for downbearing? Maybe one-in-a-thousand? He also made some mention about "personalities" in the Guild. Golly, every organization where people are members has their share of shmucks. I've met a couple in PTG that were possibly a little less than perfect! But gosh, what a great place full of knowledgeable folks that are willing to share information. You get out of an organization what you put into it. Techs like this one might be better off paying less attention to an arthritis story and ask a few questions about pianos. Like maybe: "I have heard the term 'bridge recapping' - what is that?" My experience with the 4th generation piano technician also brings to mind one thing that Randy Potter wrote in his course. That is to be aware of the "experienced" technician who has studied under someone that is not well trained - pointing out that there is a difference between a tech that has thirty years experience and one that has experienced first-year-level-knowledge over and over again for thirty years in a row. It seems like this kid may be a victim of experience inbreeding. "That's how me pappy, grand-pappy, and great-grand-pappy did it - and that's how a I'm a gonner do it - I'm a 4th generation Pie-Anna Tuner!" There is such a wealth of information freely flowing about the PTG that one can often consider several ways of approaching a task and then deciding which one appears best to you. If it works great, OK, maybe you will try another approach next time. But what a rich thing this PTG. What a rich thing this Pianotech List. I'm glad I don't operate in a closet like my poor friend. Thanks Guys & Gals Terry Farrell
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