service problems.

[Andy&Chris Taylor]

I can relate to what Larry Fisher  went through.

About eight years ago, We bought a old Baldwin monarch player that was in
very nice shape, solid soundboard, nice piano action, tight pins, nice tone
etc.

we rebuilt the player action and put the piano in my office at work.(it is
nice being the boss) I had zero problems with it.

Well a guy kept bugging me to sell him the piano. I didn't want to sell it,
a nice player that is not worn out is very rare and I knew it, so I quoted
him a very high price and he paid it. I told him then that I did nothing to
the piano except regulation, but I had rebuilt the player action.

Well, I would call him when the tuning was due, he would just say "nah it
sounds and works fine" I tried to stress that the piano would give less
problems if  he kept the piano at a-440.

The problem was compounded because he lives about 350 miles from me, and he
did not want to pay mileage. being a player, he was having trouble finding
someone to service the piano. I instructed him how to remove the player
action, and THEN call the tuner:-)
well a few years later, I got a call from him really cursing me out. I had
'broke" his bridge. I hadn't seen the piano since it had left seven years
earlier.

I did drive up there and look at the piano, I would hardly call the person a
"tuner" it was out of tune with itself, and ABOVE a 440! I assume it was put
in that condition by the tuner because the climate in the house is
controlled.

The piano had not been tuned for six or so years before that. The bass
bridge had split and half of the pins had fallen out........I suppose due to
age and then suddenly pulling it up above pitch. he insisted it was MY
fault. I reminded him of me stressing to KEEP THE PIANO IN TUNE........I
still feel that the tuner is partly responsible.

Well I quoted him a price to replace the bridge, and the piano would have to
go back with me. he flatly refused, saying that I should do it for nothing.
 I know I am not at fault here, he refused to service the piano, and then
compounded the problem by the tuner pulling it up too high. any advice????

BTW, the player action works as well as the day I installed it.
Best Regards
Andy & Chris Taylor
"The Lone Arranger"
Tempola Music Rolls
"Taylor Made" Just For You
http://home.swbell.net/tempola/index.htm