Rant from a Player Tech!

[Rob Goodale]

In my experience most techs I have run into that work on pneumatic players are not very good at working on pianos.  Conversely, I have observed that most good piano techs have little knowledge of pneumatic player systems.  Therein lies the dilemma.  Pneumatic players are in themselves a specialty and there are so few technicians who know how to repair or rebuild the CORRECTLY that these types of players have earned a bad name only because there are so few around that work they way they were intended.  For the regular piano tech, pneumatic players seem to be mostly an annoyance with marginal profitability.  They either avoid them like the plague or mis-diagnose problems.  Often if the piano has a problem but they can't see deep down yonder behind the player system and all the dust, its easier to blame the player system.  This is typically followed by something like "sorry ma'm, I don't work on players", and off they go to their next and more profitable client.

I was fortunate that I got started in this business working on pneumatic players.  The very first piano I worked on- and rebuilt, was a 1927 Kimball pumper.  I have rebuilt or repaired numerous since then and thus I have a pretty good understanding of them.  I actually find rebuilding these rather fun and rewarding but I presently have neither the time nor the priority given that I have so much to keep me busy as it is.  One day I would like to get serious about rebuilding these again, particularly the more exotic coin operated units and orchestrions, (vintage, not the ones made from old upright players and an added 'O' roll frame).  In the meantime I understand the frustration.  I have seen many beautiful pianos with quality player systems non functioning either because a piano tech made poor so-called repairs, or blamed the player system on piano problems and walked away because that was an easier solution.

Rob Goodale, RPT
Las Vegas, NV



--- Original Message ----- 
  From: pianolady50 at peoplepc.com 
  BIG question?  If at least one of these techs removed the player to look at the piano action, didn't they test it without the player in place?  Why oh why could no one else solve this?

  GRRRRRRR.

  Thanks for letting me carry on this rant.  I feel better now LOL.

  Debbie

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