Proper Approach? - CA pinblock repairs

[JPIESIK]

Hi Joe,

I knew I'd strike a chord, and yet, I don't mean to offend. I too have pounded 
down a couple sets of pins myself, and have done work on clunkers when it was 
all that the family could afford. I believe that any music is better than no 
music.

I guess I am trying to stir up a general philosophy among us, and that is, it's 
OK to give your professional opinion and recommend burial of dead (or near-dead)
pianos. We can help new piano sales with this philosophy. It makes sense to me.

We are going to encounter many more worn out pianos in the future - why not 
encourage people to rebuild or replace them, as opposed to applying bandaids?

Regards,

John Piesik, RPT
Oceanside, CA




Hi John,
First salvo. <G> "It all begins upon and ends upon the way you look at 
things."
The majority of the pianos that I service are old uprights and grands of 
little value that will most likely be used only for a few years. To make 
costly repairs to such an instrument
is not what the customer is looking for.
In most cases a quick repair that will last for a few years and does not 
cost more than the piano is worth is what the customer wants.
However, other factors, such as worn out actions that will no longer allow 
the student to
play the instrument without frustration discouraging them will lead me to 
advise the owner to consider replacement of the instrument.
     
Joe Goss
     
     
     
 - it's clear to me that *complete* pinblock treatments are an
> indication that the piano is either ready for restringing or the grave. 
It's
> always good to have a trick up your sleeve for that lone loose pin or 
two. But,
> there comes a point in time when we must be up front with piano owners 
and
> encourage them to replace their piano (preferably with good-quality new) 
when
> it's no longer tunable. Doping a pinblock is merely a bandaid (which will
     
> inevitably fall off, figuratively speaking) on a larger problem. Why not 
> encourage the proper fix - buy a good-quality new piano - or, 
rebuild/restring
> it?
>
> Isn't the goal to obtain the best clients and the best pianos, and 
promote new
> piano sales? There are many worthy pianos out there - it's a matter of 
what
> level of excellence you're willing to strive for. 
>
> Fire Away,
>