<html> <body> Hi Lance, I am going to express myself once again on this sticky topic, at the risk of sounding like a broken record (an anachronism on the order of the acoustic piano - well, maybe worse off than the piano). We as technicians are extremely important pieces of the picture of the acoustic piano world. We are the interface between client and dealer, and even client and manufacturer. I feel very strongly that we owe it to ourselves to deal with the manufacturers in an honest and constructive way. After all, we are really all on the same team. There is a saying: "Honesty without compassion is brutality." It IS possible to tell the truth about problems we encounter, and still show the manufacturers we want them to succeed. I understand that some people just want to make a fast buck but, honestly, do you think they'd go into the piano biz if that was their only motive???? If we take the risk to tell the truth in a helpful and positive way, maybe we can help the industry as a whole. Not bad for a day's work.... Mary At 05:46 PM 11/21/2004 -0600, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Good point David.  In the past I have openly named brands, but Im not sure its wise.  Constraint is not my usual style.  I am not afraid to loose service business (Im swamped and established) nor really of the dealers.  The manufacturers&. well I just dont want to look like I try to find this stuff ya know?   I just seem to always put my foot where Id rather not have it and this seemed like one of those times.  I caught a lot of grief from the dealer (who is a large one) and the local one too.  I am known in this area for finding problems in pianos and pointing them out to help/protect the buyer/customer.  I have made a lot of enemies I guess because of this.  I am now just starting in the retail business myself and just dont need any added drama   ; ) .  If it helps, the piano in question is neither a Mason, Yamaha, nor Steinway but a foreign lower quality (in my opinion) instrument.   Lance Lafargue, RPT LAFARGUE PIANOS New Orleans Chapter, PTG 985.72P.IANO <a= href="mailto:llafargue@charter.net">llafargue@charter.net</a> <a= href="http://www.lafarguepianos.com/"= eudora="autourl">www.lafarguepianos.com</a>     -----Original Message----- From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org" eudora="autourl">mailto:caut-boun= ces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of David Skolnik Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 5:23 PM To: College and University Technicians Subject: Re: [CAUT] back duplex   Lance - While, to some degree, I understand and respect your reluctance to appear to be casting aspersion on a particular brand, it strikes me as somewhat bizarre that, as technicians, we seem to have no qualms about discussing our fee structures (recently on pianotech), but we're afraid to speak directly about our experiences, for fear of offending someone.  We live in fear, either of the customers who won't call back, or the dealers or manufacturers, whom, we seem convinced, are ready to destroy us, professionally, if we complain.   To be sure, you're not alone in this.  What would happen if you just said, "This was a ..."? David Skolnik At 08:28 AM 11/17/2004 -0600, you wrote: I was recently called out to a 7grand with a buzz.  Names and brand will be withheld to reduce my stress level.  It turned out to be the back duplex.  There was so little bearing at the aliquot that the strings could be moved back and fourth with a finger nail.  After much searching, I finally found, (and a local tech who works on these a lot suggested/confirmed) that when the humidity went up, the strings touching the aliquot were raised enough to buzz (at center of piano, around F3).  I called the factory and the tech said, sounds like a bearing problem, plate position problem, etc.  Send it back, well send another.  I did.  Then, when the 2nd piano came in, it had the same bearing problem, so I stopped, did not prep, just called the factory.  The dealer then called a second tech out who threaded a strip of felt through the back duplex to prevent any ringing at all.  What effect does this have on the sound, etc.  I figure, if it was designed to ring, it should.  Was this a good solution and an ethical handling of the customer, who paid around $28,000?  Thanks.    Lance Lafargue, RPT LAFARGUE PIANOS New Orleans Chapter, PTG 985.72P.IANO <a= href="mailto:llafargue@charter.net">llafargue@charter.net</a> <a href="http://www.lafarguepianos.com/"= eudora="autourl">www.lafarguepianos.com</a>    </blockquote></body> </html>