Gaveau-Paris

[Paul Chick]

Clyde
You're right. She did say she finally found someone she could afford. The
ones she found can and have done decent refinishing but never have done
quality tech work-even basic regulating. Their "expert technician" can put
on quite a dog and pony show but can't  keep up to skillful, quality work.
And I must admit that I've run into some clients who would consider the
finish on their asphalt driveway suitable for their piano. But sloppy work
is still sloppy work no matter how little was done. Most of the tuner/techs
I know are interested in doing the best they can given parameters to work
within-members and non-members alike. And those I mentor are encouraged to
"do your best." But the perennial rip off artists seem to keep finding the
meek and ignorant to prey upon.
Let this end here. It's a reoccuring scenairo in any walk of life.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clyde Hollinger <cedel@redrose.net>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 10:56 PM
Subject: Re: Gaveau-Paris


>Paul,
>
>I would like to respond to the rebuilding part of your post.  As I see
>it, the only sad part about this situation is that the piano deserved
>much better.  If the client paid only $800 for oversize pins, all new
>strings and even a mediocre case refinishing, she got more than her
>money's worth, don't you think?  And she admitted she couldn't afford
>more than that.  I feel worse for the piano than the client.
>
>Then there is also the possibility that the person who did the work
>never claimed to do a complete rebuilding.  Things get twisted.  I've
>wondered already, when I told the owner of a cheap spinet that it hold
>its tune well, if they don't tell their friends that I said their piano
>is good quality.  And I also recall the 25-year-old Kawai grand I
>service that desperately needs a new pinblock, but the client is sure
>she was told it needs a new soundboard (which has nothing wrong with
>it).  Oh well....
>
>Regards,
>Clyde Hollinger, RPT
>Lititz, PA, USA
>
>Paul Chick wrote:
>>
>> List:
>> I just tuned a rosewood 4'10" Gaveau grand from Paris #77879. The
>> owner told me it has the "insides made by Bosendorfer and the outside
>> made by someone else." The veneer work is exquisite! The top is done
>> in quartersawn rosewood in a sunburst pattern of at least 3 dozen
>> matched pieces. The rim is done in fans of matched rosewood framed and
>> repeated. She had it "rebuilt" by someone she could finally afford
>> "for about $800.00." Sad. I don't have all the details, but I feel
>> badly for the client. The "refinishing" does not do justice to the
>> beautiful and talented work of the case maker. The "insides" were not
>> replaced, just cleaned with very little regulating, no
>> voicing-oversize pins and new strings. I know I'm off on a tangent
>> here. I'm sorry. It's maddening to see what people can be told by
>> "technicians" with a silver tongue. Anyway. Does anyone have or had
>> any experience and background on this piano? I didn't have time to
>> explore the "insides" but I'm sure I'll see it again.
>> Thanks.
>> Paul Chick RPT
>