<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" = xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" = xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" = xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 9"> <meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 9"> <link rel=File-List href="cid:filelist.xml@01C40CD1.DF436290">  <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> F= red,<o:p></o:p> <= ![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>= Q= uote what you think it will take to do the job correctly without being influenced = by what you think the customer may be willing to pay. $500 is a lot of money = for anyone to spend and not be happy with the results. If the balance weights are = really as high as you suspect, your strategy of adding lead and/or reducing hammerweight will certainly help. This isn’t one of those Kawais = with wippen helper springs, is it? I’ve seen a couple of those pianos that = had way too much reliance on spring tension with virtually no lead. Once the springs get = out of adjustment (or are cut out or disconnected by some “expert” = technician who doesn’t like helper springs) , these actions become real bears. A = nice leading pattern and appropriate spring adjustment on one of these actions can = make an extreme change without an inordinate amount of = work.<o:p></o:p> <= ![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>= S= pending big bucks on the action could still be cheaper than trading in on a new instrument and would guarantee an action that won’t destroy the = customer’s body, though of course you can’t guarantee they’ll like it! = There’s no guarantee that a new piano wouldn’t have it own set of action problems = either.<o:p></o:p> <= ![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>= ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p> Eric Wolfley<o:p></o:p> Head Piano Technician<o:p></o:p> Cincinnati College-Conservatory of = Music<o:p></o:p> University of Cincinnati<o:p></o:p> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p> <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>= -----Original Message----- From: = caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org]On = Behalf Of Wimblees@aol.com Sent: Thursday, March = 18, 2004 9:46 AM To: caut@ptg.org Subject: Re: Kawai heavy = action <![if = !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> In a message dated 3/18/04 8:14:41 AM Central Standard Time, fssturm@unm.edu = writes:<o:p></o:p> <div style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in = 0in 4.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal = style='margin-right:.5in;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt= : auto;margin-left:39.75pt;border:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid blue = 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt'>This particular customer has developed "wrist problems" (incipient = carpel tunnel?), and is wondering whether to trade pianos or have this one = worked on. So I need to be able to speak with authority and say a) I can take care of this problem. It will cost $X. Or, b) You are better advised to trade in and get a different piano.     My sense is that $X needs to be in the "up to = $500" range. IOW, action geometry changes are probably out of the picture.<o:p></o:p> </div> Fred.</f= ont><o:p></o:p>  </= font><o:p></o:p> Although I do not have experience with Kawai's particularly, the problem with = the customer spending any kind of money is that there is no guarantee he'll = like the results. It's not that you can't do the job, but even if you = got the weight down, he still might not like what he feels. So you're either = stuck doing more work, without pay, or asking him to spend more money, with = still no guarantee he'll like the result. <o:p></o:p>  </= font><o:p></o:p> That is why it might be best if you could recommend he consider buying another = piano.<o:p></o:p>  </= font><o:p></o:p> Just my 2 cents worth.<o:p></o:p>  </= font><o:p></o:p> Wim = <o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>