piano refinishing

[Farrell]

I'm in the "refinishing is part of piano work" club. 

Can anyone tell me how to get mahogany stain off an ivory key?

(Just kidding - I haven't done that - yet - but that is one of many things that make piano refinishing unique.)

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Kdivad@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2002 1:59 PM
Subject: Re: piano refinishing


> In a message dated Wed, 5 Jun 2002 9:53:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Wimblees@AOL.COM writes:
> 
> >In a message dated 6/4/02 9:47:13 PM Central Daylight Time, Bigeartb@AOL.COM 
> >writes:
> >
> >
> >> No, refinishing does not belong on the same page as tuning or technical 
> >> work. But refinishing or just knowing how to remove dents, nicks, or 
> >> 
> >
> >Since I was the first to state that I don't think articles on refinishing 
> >should be in the Journal, let me also point out that I clearly stated that I 
> >realize there are piano technicians who also refinish pianos. I agree that 
> >knowing how to refinish pianos is part of the total package of rebuilding a 
> >piano,a nd thus of the piano trade. But, as Jon Page pointed out, so is being 
> >an accountant, and secretary, etc. Again, I agree. BUT, although there have 
> >been some articles written on how to sell a business, how to more efficiently 
> >keep track of your income, etc., what we don't have are articles on 
> >accounting priciples, or secretarial skills. We need our car, but we don't 
> >have articles on how to replace spark plugs, or realign the front end. We use 
> >the telephone and computers, but we don't have articles on telephone repair, 
> >or computer programming. 
> >
> >That is the point I was trying to make. We are piano technicians. The other 
> >aspects of our business are important, but there are professional magazines 
> >devoted specifically to those aspect of our work. If someone is interested in 
> >knowing more about those topics, they should subscribe to the magazines 
> >devoted to them.
> >
> >Wim 
> 
> 
> Refinishing is an extremely important part of a total rebuild, hardly comparable to putting spark plugs in your car.  I am glad you pointed out the fact that there are articles in the Journal on how to organize and run your business, why should they be allowed? There are literally thousands of books on those subjects why waste valuable space in the Journal.  Don't take me wrong, I want those articles, I am just using your own argument.
> One more point, I have never found any quality sources on refinishing pianos, the techniques are different than furniture refinishing. There is not a wealth of info on piano refinishing, just the opposite. 
> Wouldn't a good technician doing business restoring fine pianos to excellence want to at least understand the refinishing process.  Preparing him to intelligently understand the difference between a superb piano refinisher and a jacklegs work? 
> David Koelzer
> Vintage Pianos
> DFW