Availability of quality tools and supplies

[Jürgen Goering]

Dear John,

Yes, It would be wonderful if our North American suppliers would offer us
this particular tool, as well as other quality tools and supplies.

I feel our North American suppliers are not serving the piano technician
community well.  Over the years, I have become frustrated with the quality
of many products and materials offered to our profession, such as damper
felt that is too firm, poor quality felts and cheap leather sold as
buckskin.  Imported European parts are mostly sold at outrageous prices.
My suggestions and complaints to suppliers have fallen on deaf ears.  The
responses have ranged from poor excuses ("Oh, the imported dampers were out
of stock, so we sent you the domestic [hard as rock] ones") to, more often,
deafening silence.  I am not in the business of being a consultant to
domestic suppliers who are unwilling to listen; I need to focus my energy
on trying to offer the highest level of work I can to my clients.

I have taken matters into my own hands to search out better sources for
certain supplies.  I get most of my rebuilding supplies from Germany now. I
have not looked back.  The quality is superb and the price is good.  I am
NOT a supply house nor do I want to become one.  I only want decent
materials and the tools I need at a reasonable cost and I am happy to share
those benefits with others.

Jurgen Goering


>Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 02:41:45 -0300
>From: "John Ross" <piano.tech@ns.sympatico.ca>
>Subject: Re: Bechstein Offset Screwdriver Order
>
>Hi Jurgen,
>Possibly, it could be suggested to Schaff, or Pianotek, that they should
>carry them.
>It sounds like a useful tool to have, and could be distributed through a
>supply house much easier.
>Regards,
>John M. Ross
>Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
>piano.tech@ns.sympatico.ca
>- ----- Original Message -----
>From: " J¸rgen Goering" <pianoforte@mail.island.net>
>To: <caut@ptg.org>
>Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 1:51 AM
>Subject: Bechstein Offset Screwdriver Order
>
>
>The Bechstein offset screwdriver seems to be difficult to get in North
>America.
>This tool is indispensable for regulating rocker arm capstans on grands as
>well as fastening screws in other tight spots.
>
>I am putting in an order for Bechstein offset screwdrivers directly from
>Germany.  The order will go out on Monday August 20.  Anyone interested in
>having a tool like this please contact me right away.
>
>J¸rgen Goering
>