Every Samick

[Overs Pianos]

Don wrote:

>Sometimes we feel that we have no impact on piano quality. . . It 
>might be helpful in this case to write a letter to Samick America, 
>with a simple drawing if it will help.  In a non-condescending tone 
>explain that you have seen this problem, and give them your 
>suggestion for eliminating it.  Their US technical people will 
>appreciate having the backup from a field technician / dealer, and 
>it just might get the problem fixed.

I can't imagine a greater waste of paper, pens and effort Don. Some 
people just don't want to see stuff even when it is put right under 
their noses. I any event, what are their head technicians doing about 
it, putting on another cup of coffee. I have raised dozens of 
technical matters with certain factories over the years - basically a 
waste of breath.

>It's amazing how many little problems can creep into the production 
>process, especially in areas where the workers are not fully trained 
>technicians, but only trained to do one particular job.  Design 
>people are usually well trained engineers, but even they sometimes 
>forget to think about how things work out in the real world.

Then why aren't the design people on site, sorting out the problems? 
Because they don't give a toss.

>Although Kawai pianos are nearly perfect (ahem! <g>), I send 
>suggestions to the factories regularly, and some of these originate 
>in the field.  Problem reports and suggestions are really 
>appreciated, especially when written positively.

Kawai might listen to you Don, but I know that it took about eight 
years of technician complaints about the back cut bridges in Kawai 
pianos, before they finally made the change. Most of the time 
factories don't listen to technicians, because they think techs don't 
know anything.

Just a few months ago I was speaking with the CEO of a company 
distributing in the US. When I mentioned that the US technicians in 
general were quite negative about their product (feedback from Reno), 
he replied, "what would they know, they're only technicians".  I 
don't think much of that type of ****** arrogance.

Kevin - saw your post on the trapwork. About the only solution to the 
problems associated with this make of piano is to manufacture a new 
set of levers. Not only is the original manufacturing sloppy, but the 
design is poor. The lift ratio of the dampers is too slow (4.5 mm of 
damper pedal travel moves the damper 1 mm for their 225 grand. The 
ratio should be set to within 2.5 - 3.25 of pedal travel per 1mm of 
damper lift). Furthermore, the standard levers are not properly 
designed to minimise friction at the lever contact points.

Ron O


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Website:  http://www.overspianos.com.au
Email:        mailto:ron@overspianos.com.au
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