When it's probably shot

[Mike Kurta]

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    From experience I've found the best policy is to objectively look at =
1. Where the piano is (Carnegie Hall or in a mobile home)  2.  Who is =
playing it ( Horowitz or 6 year old Emily)  3.  What the piano is  ( =
Bosendorfer or Lester) and a general feeling of associated items such as =
how serious musically the primary player and family might be, finances, =
long term repairs and service, etc. etc.  When these (and probably more) =
items are considered, assess what is needed in a impartial workmanlike =
manner, WITHOUT EMOTION.  Too often I've had my comments to a customer =
colored by feelings, and though that's not all bad, this calls for =
restraint and judicious control.  Sometimes a few minutes of simple =
piano education and explanation to the customer will pave the way for =
needed repairs.  I guess the bottom line is, treat the piano owner as =
you would want to be treated.  The old, but golden rule......
    As for the "silly sap" comment, consider for a moment that the $100 =
might have been a real stretch for these folks.  Maybe it was the best =
they could do under the circumstances, and yes they should have had a =
technician look over the instrument before purchasing, but that didn't =
happen.  Nontheless, what a hero you will be to them if you can make a =
few simple repairs, give it a good tuning, suggest some future work they =
might do next year, and leave them with a piano in far better shape than =
when you arrived.  Just my thoughts......
    Mike Kurta, RPT
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Clyde Hollinger=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2002 7:44 AM
  Subject: When it's probably shot


  Friends,=20
  Do any of you condemn a piano without ever seeing it?  There are times =
when I feel like I probably should, but the client is looking for some =
professional input and hopefully a miracle.=20

  I got a call.  A large family (eight kids) has a piano that was given =
to them four years ago.   It sounds tinny, some of the keys don't work, =
and the former owner told them it can't be tuned to standard pitch.  The =
kids are taking lessons.  Money may very well be tight; I didn't ask.  =
Such service calls can be an adventure, to say the least!  Thoughts?=20

  Regards, Clyde=20

  "Alan R. Barnard" wrote:=20

    Someone buys it for $100 (silly sap) calls you to come and tune it.

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