Hi Larry, There is a lot of reconditioning in the U.K. but not too much rebuilding. (definitions reconditioning, replacing of felts, key coverings, leathers, hammers, re-stringing and minor sound board repairs. rebuilding replacement of soundboards, fitting of new actions, and keys.) The climate over here does ensure that pianos last a lot longer than they do in the States, this is probably why we recondition the worn parts rather than rebuild. As for technicians coming to the list, like I pointed out in another thread, I know of at least eight who could access this list but do not, for one reason or another. One definitely has your thoroughbred theory planted firmly between his ears. Two of the technicians I know of, do subscribe to the list periodically but find the traffic a bit heavy going However they do not contribute. One of these gentlemen has been on the list for at least two years as I am aware. I personally have now been on the list about eighteen Months, and yes I find it very rewarding, especially now the PTG has their own list and it is less dominated by Political backbiting. But was interesting at times to see that piano tuners are just as bitchy in other piano organisations. The U.K. piano trade is just beginning to warm up to the internet, the Association of blind piano tuners, technically could have seventy per cent of its members on this list as they all have the necessary equipment but not the motivation. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you cant make him drink. Possibly, you might like to write an article similar to the one you have just wrote to encourage technicians to the list. Especially from the PTA where you will find more technicians actively restoring pianos, than in the ABPT. and I will forward it to the three U.K. trade magazines. Send it privately if you do as I'm sure the list is not that interested. I personally receive about forty per cent of my income from reconditioning it used to be about eighty per cent as I used to do a lot of work for the piano trade, by mail order, but I found that a lot of tuners were sending me an action which required seven or eight hundred ponds of work, but only wanted me to do about two hundred pounds worth and I got the felling they were ripping there customers off. I still do trade work but I am more selective in who I have, as I am lucky to have a large private customer base. There are technicians in the UK. who do not do any tunings at all just totally survive off reconditioning the tow excellent brothers about fifteen miles from me who are both fine technicians. However sadly they no longer talk to each other. Take care, Kind regards, Barrie. -- Barrie Heaton | Be Environmentally Friendly URL: http://www.airtime.co.uk/forte/piano.htm | To Your Neighbour The UK PIano Page | pgp key on request | HAVE YOUR PIANO TUNED
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