[pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts

[Encore Pianos]

Well put, Jim.  And Steinway plays on that insecurity to the hilt.

Will

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of jim at grandpianosolutions.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 10:41 AM
To: pianotech
Subject: [pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts

Dale I feel your pain.

However, as a point of constructive discussion,  regarding human brains in
general regarding this problem, I would like to look at this problem from a
different perspective.  As a disclaimer, I'm sure you know that I share your
passion for piano rebuilding as the committed pursuit of beautiful piano
sound. (If it weren't for the possibility of creating beautiful sound, I'd
probably just be selling life insurance or some other yuck-and-a-half.)

But...let me set up a hypothetical scenario, with me as a piano buyer
(assuming by some amazing stroke of unlikely-ness, I had some serious bucks
to spend on a real nice piano.)

In this scenario, if had come by enough money to manage a one-time, big
bucks purchase of a piano, (as in get it right, because I wouldn't be able
to try again), I could easily see myself majorly conflicted between a really
fine rebuild and a big name-brand piano purchase.  Being brutally honest
with myself, in my mind, given the funds to purchase a big name brand, I
believe I would be conflicted in choosing a rebuild over a big name-brand
piano despite that fact that the conflict goes against my very existence as
a life long artisan-craftsperson/musician, and despite the fact that I know
as a technician how lousy these new brand -name pianos sound on the "lot".

Having only one shot at the "right" piano, especially when the acquisition
of that "right" piano is so central to my experience of music, I know that
the decision would have a great likelihood of creating some base line of
disappointment.  And, though its irrational, and goes against everything
that I know about lousy pianos sounding on the big-name piano "lot", the
"authority" which brand names acquire would tempt me to put my trust in the
brand as something larger and more authoritative than a single guy in his
shop...therefore more likely of avoiding disappointment.

My reasoning above is convoluted, irrational, and just plain bulls..t. 
However, I also know this line of thought needs to be countered in the
working of my own mind.  I pin the conflict on some sort of evolutionary
detritus, but there it is, despite the fact that it gnaws at the very
foundations of who I am as an artisan...but...still...it is there if I am
honest with myself.

I solved this problem by making my own piano. it removes the money from the
equation, and gives me control over the outcome, as well as tools ton
overcome shortcomings.

But I cheated.

Customers don't have this control, and are utterly dependent on others for
the outcome of their quest.

Just some thoughts, as I mull over how one can actually sell a fine rebuild,
regardless of how excellent the rebuild is, when we all are evolutionarily
still somewhere at the level of a bloody pickerel.

Jim Ialeggio

--
Jim Ialeggio
jim at grandpianosolutions.com
(978) 425-9026
Shirley, MA