Junk Pianos

[Clyde Hollinger]

Terry,

Do you really want reasons or did you just need to let off some steam?  :-)

One reason may be that they don't want to spend money on a decent piano until they are sure the kid will stick with it.  It never seems to occur to them that a junk piano will almost assure that the kid will lose interest in a hurry.  If the piano isn't a priority for the parents, why should it be for the kids?

Another reason, if the piano is an old upright, is the sheer labor needed to move the thing.  Often enough I've heard a new client say as I walk toward the piano, "We just got this piano, and we're never moving it again.  The thing weighs a ton!"  And I open it and... well, you know.

And, I guess some people just don't know a piano has a lifespan.  I had one person look at me and innocently ask, "You mean pianos wear out?"

I gave thought to Ron Nossaman's comment.  So sad, but likely true in some instances.

It might have been better if you had refused to tune the Aeolian you refer to, or at least inform them that it is only to make it sound a little better until they can replace it, because it is not worth spending any more money on it.

I still differentiate in my mind between those of the well-to-do whose priorities are misplaced and those who really can't afford anything better.

Regards,
Clyde Hollinger, RPT

Farrell wrote:

> Forgive me, I know this has been said before, but the time has arisen again.
>
> Why is it so hard to throw out a junk piano? Why is it they stay around soooo long? People throw cars out when they are 10 years old. Why not pianos?
>
> I tuned a 1960s Aeolian spinet the other day for a new client. Hammer cores without hammer felt (didn't sound any worse than the ones with felt), some hammers replaced with big bass hammers in the tenor, some hammer felts held on with thread. Loose tuning pins pounded down so that the coil was imbedded in the plate, BAD false beats in the tenor, big-time bobbling hammers, let-off at 3/4", hammers so worn they have 1/2" wide flat contact surface. I could go on and on.......you've seen them. Just holding together with thread and tape. This thing plays and sounds as bad as any of them.
>
> Two children are taking lessons and practice on this junker.
>
> This piano is in a new development. Estimate $200,000 home. New beautiful furniture everywhere. Giant screen TV built into 2-story marble wall - along with home theatre sound system. Polished granite kitchen. Two $40,000+ SUVs sitting in driveway. One with all the add-on lights, iron front grilles, etc. for when she has to cross the Himalayas on her way to the grocery store. And in the midst of all this is this "free" beat-up dysfunctional crud piano. What gives?
>
> They will toss the SUV when it gets a rip in the padded leather seat, but they will subject their children to this dysfunctional pile of junk.
>
> End of rant..............for now.
>
> Terry Farrell
>