[pianotech] Hook, Line and Sinker...

[Thomas Cole]

I once tuned for a woman whose Steinway Hammers were bright as a 
searchlight. I explained to her about voicing and she said that her 
previous technician told her to not let **anyone** touch those hammers.

I wonder if people would have the same reluctance to making improvements 
if we could pull a well-regulated Steinway out of our back pocket for a 
side-by-side comparison.

Tom Cole

Ed Foote wrote:
>
>  
> On Jul 2, 2010, at 6:38 AM, Jon Page wrote:
>
>    To which she said that she wasn't > real happy. 
>  
> > I mentioned that with the heaviness, most of her effort is wasted in 
> > just 
> > getting the key to move and that a lighter touch would give more > 
> control 
> > for tone production. BUT 'She has the most wonderful teacher who > 
> taught 
> > her the best technique and she can handle it'. 
> > 
> > I could see that no amount of logic was going to steer her away from 
> > her 
> > preconceived notions.
>
> I get my best results when I point out to them that they are not 
> getting their money's worth, that the piano is
> only performing at say, 70% of its potential.  Draw an analogy like 
> having a highly tuned Ferrari with tires that are half deflated.  They 
> are being CHEATED of the full someway experience!  Maybe sometimes I 
> mention that the piano is ok for things like hymns or pop music, but 
> if someone is going to try and play Chopin, the piano is going to be 
> the limiting factor,real quick.
>     If they are serious pianists, and some of the sure things are 
> there, (jacks way distal, screaming springs, erratic pinning, maybe 
> 1/4" of drop and let-off, etc.), I can tell them that if there is not 
> a night and day difference in how controllable their piano is, they 
> won't have to pay. It is almost like shooting fish in a barrel, 
> though,  some will not budge, no matter what you offer.
> Regards,
> Ed