<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2604" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hello all, new to the = list.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><U>For those who don't know = me:</U></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Piano Tech for UNLV (University of = Nevada, Las Vegas), over 6 years now.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>RPT for at least 10 years = now.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><U>Former</U> subscriber to the PTG = tech list for many years - got disgusted with it's degradation and left = about six months ago.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>----------------------------------------------------------------= -------------------------------------------------------------------------= ---------------------------------------</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>-AND NOW FOR SERIOUS = BUSINESS-</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>UNLV has a host of junky pianos = suitable for use as boat anchors.  Mostly Yamahas and Kawais averaging in age from = about 20-30 years, (scary).  For all practical purposes they are no longer maintainable, don't stay tuned, breaking strings, beat to death, etc.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>After years of persuasion and warnings = I actually have the administration listening and contemplating budgeting for = replacing the entire lot of them, (about +/- 45 units).  We have = received bids and some factory reps have visited.  I am now writing a detailed = report to submit next week which will express my findings, recommendations, = and will include close up color photographs of worn out piano parts.  This = is what I hope will be the final blow that will topple the preverbal tower of administrative resistance.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We currently have a dealer loan program = that appears to have worn out it's usefulness.  It really needs to go = away permanently in favor of all new owned replacements.  I know there = are many of you out there who have had plenty of experience in loan = programs.  I am hoping to accumulate a few short testimonials from other university = techs on "why old university pianos need to be replaced", and "why dealer = loan programs are a bad idea".  (For those who have had good loan = program experiences this part is not for you).  I am hoping for = a couple short paragraphs from a few other university techs that I = can quote in my report.  Anyone willing to contribute = please forward your prose to me ASAP.  Be aware that I may be required to = do some minor editing, (including possible shortening),  to make your words = fit within the space and context of my report.  Please include the name = of the university.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks for your help.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rob Goodale, RPT</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Las Vegas, = NV</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>