Tooners :-( or exasperation exemplified!!

[Brian Trout]

Hi Jim,

Is this for real?  You're not just pulling our (collective) leg?

Wow!  My heart sank a little more as I read each of your descriptions.  This
poor piano.  Any one of the things would seem much easier to deal with, but
the combination...

Why were you called to the piano in the first place?  Is the customer
unhappy with their piano?   Are they seeking a second opinion as to whether
"something's wrong"?

Here's my suggestion(s).

1)  Be polite, but be honest.  At this point, there's not point in hiding
the truth from them.  I'm assuming that's why you were called, to tell them
the truth.

2)  Provide them the names of half a dozen other reputable techs in the area
that could confirm that this is indeed shoddy workmanship.  They might feel
more confident knowing that you're not the only tech who would think this
about their piano.  They probably won't call all six of them.  They might
not even call anyone else.  But suggesting it might add some credibility in
their minds.  Then again, they might want the opinions of all six.

3)  You might provide a list of things to the owner that you believe would
put the piano into the working condition that it should be in, considering
the work it was _supposed_ to have had done to it.  (Not having such a list,
I am limited in comments.)  I do hope that the customer received something
in writing that stated exactly what would be done.  Without a written
contract, it becomes more difficult.  It might even be a good opportunity to
sit down one on one with the customer and explain just why those things that
you list are important.

4)  Don't try to fight the battle for the customer.  You're not the one who
has been injured (at least not in the eyes of a judge).  The battle is
between the customer and the contractor.  Provide them with the tools (i.e.
good information, etc.) and let them fight for what's right.

5)...and I hate to even say it... but legally, I'm thinking that the
original contractor may have the right as well as the obligation to make
this thing right, even if he has to hire someone who knows how.

There's lots of peripherals here that could add new slants to the whole
mess...

That's what came to mind here, and they are only (a few of) my thoughts,
just thrown out there for what they're worth.  Details might change the
perspective a bit.

I do anxiously await the rest of the story!  :-)

Thanks for posting this Jim.

Brian Trout
Quarryville, PA
btrout@desupernet.net




----- Original Message -----
From: <JIMRPT@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2000 7:07 PM
Subject: Tooners :-( or exasperation exemplified!!


> Et Al;
>  I thought that I had seen everything that could be done half er...way and
in
> creative misapplication of techniques.......as usual I was wrong.
>
>  I evaluated a S&S model 'M'(I think, I did not measure) re-something or
> other...certainly rebulid, refurbish or remanufacture don't fit!! (keep in
> mind that the customer traded a 5 year old Kawai 6'something and 10,000
> dollars to obtain this beauty...........
>
>   Working from the key bed up:
> New front rail felts...no regulating punchings 'period' under the naturals
> and 1 Thick card under each of the sharps.
> New keytops, one piece front and top, untrimmed/filed/fitted.
> No new key bushings.
> Corroded capstans.
> New short backchecks, unleveled and or regulated.
> Full set of new Renner S&S style whips, unregulated and installed bass
> ackwards, i.e., No. 1 was on No. 88 and vice versa............but they
'were'
> in order :-)
> Old hammers/shanks/knuckles.
> (NOTE: I believe these hammers are from a model 'A', or some such, as
there
> are
> obviously 26 bass hammers installed on a 20 bass note scale!  The first
six
> hammers in the bottom tenor section are what normally would be the last
six
> on a 26 note bass scale. Each of these six hammers have had their original
> shank hole plugged and a new shank hole drilled sorta close.........the
tails
> have not been cut off but the hammers have been filed drastically to fit
in
> their new location. If I had to guess I would say that all 88 were
original
> hammers 80 or more years ago!)
> Hammers are past the point of filability (is that a word?:)
> Hammers hit the strings but that is the end of any sembelance of
regulation.
> New pinblock..........does not even touch the stretcher, almost hidden by
the
> plate between plate and stretcher, muchless being glued and doweled.
> Tuning pins at various stage of completion as to tight
coils/beckets/level.
> New treble strings with OLD BASS STRINGS!!!!!!!
> Plate has been rebronzed and a cute little hitch pin punching adorns each
> hitch pin..................
> No string braid at all, anywhere.
> etc., etc., etc...................
> BUT............ the dampers work well !!!!!
>
>   How can these people get away with this kinda stuff?  If I did a
likewise
> re-something or other I would be UNDER a jail somewhere!!!
>
>   What would you do, would you have done, if presented with the above
> instrument?  I'll tell you what I did/am doing when y'all have had a
chance
> to suggestionate. :-)
> Jim Bryant (FL)
>