Why Do They Do It?

[Stephen Airy]

rrgh.

only reason I have an old, pretty-much-worn-out upright is because I
can't afford anything more.

assuming I had the $, though... if I had to choose between a $750,000
mansion and a $0 straightstrung birdcage (drop-action) spinet (actually I
don't think anyone made those), or a $500,000 house and a $250,000
concert grand, I'd choose the cheaper house with the better piano.

(I live in San Diego, CA... prices are kinda high)

----- Original message -----
From: tune4u@earthlink.net
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 12:18:36 -0600
Subject: RE: Why Do They Do It?

Same reason they buy little Johnny an $89 guitar at Wal-Mart. Of course
the
child loses interest in an instrument NO ONE can play comfortably and
make
good music on. So when he quits the parents breath a sigh of relief that
they didn't actually pay the amount what's required for a decent
instrument!

Isn't it great when they buy an old upright, spend a fortune in time and
materials to repair and refinish the case, THEN call the tech to "tune
it"!?!

I have now had two instances of this. One was a gorgeous 1890's
Victorian.
In both cases I found the guts totally shot, brittle, worn out, rotten,
etc.

I charged for the service calls, just to add insult to their injury, but
I
sure don't like those calls.

Alan Barnard
Salem, MO

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
Behalf Of Farrell
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 11:54 AM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Why Do They Do It?


Just got a call - new client, tune piano.

When was it last tuned?
Don't know - just bought it at Goodwill.

Is it a tall, old upright?
Yes, its about five feet tall.

Can you play me middle C over the phone?
Yes, hear that?
(I hear at least two distinct notes being sounded)

How about trying D, one white note above C?
OK.
Thanks, that sounds about a half-note flat - the piano will need a pitch
raise also to get it up to standard pitch. (And likely about two gallons
of
CA.)

Where do you live?
Bla, bla street.
Yes, I know exactly where that is.

Indeed, I know where that is. Brand new subdivision. Not a home there
less
than $300,000 - some quite a bit more. A piano from Goodwill in this
home?
Often even worse is same type of situation and parents buy a worn out
1948
Gulbransen spinet for little Susie.

Arrrrrggggggggggg! Sorry, just venting.

Terry Farrell
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-- 
  Stephen Airy
  stephenairy@fastmail.fm