Jaurez Cosmetic piano restoration

[Nichols]

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At 11:54 PM 8/25/2004 -0400, you wrote:
>     To All my esteemed colleagues
>     Probably all of you are aware of a rebuilding outfit across the 
> border in Juarez, Mexico.
>   I've seen two recently "rebuilt" Stwys that were a disaster with one 
> exception.


Dale,

     Hi. I'm the owner of the U.S. brokerage known as SAMA. I took over 
ownership this spring, and before that have worked as a consultant for the 
company. This company operates a plant in Juarez, across the border from El 
Paso.

    First off, I'd like to ask you where the connection is between these 
two pianos and the "outfit".
Very seriously, Sir, as your post makes no actual connection.
    Second, I'll point out that SAMA does not sell pianos.
    Thirdly, I'll point out that many of the over 1600 (yes, sixteen 
HUNDRED) pianos that have been remanufactured  by our "outfit" in Juarez 
have not come to us with actions in the first place. Some come for just 
finish, and many that should be junked or have blocks or boards replaced 
wind up getting their other belly work elsewhere.

         The SAMA plant is directed by Salvador Ortiz, 29 year veteran of 
Baldwin. I've been around a while, and am capable of making mistakes, but 
normally don't. The conditions you describe sound like problems that 
wouldn't come close to being shipped out, especially in the last couple of 
years. Our instruments are shipped to our dealers and techs and have a 
warranty that covers all of the conditions you describe. The fact that 
these conditions exist indicate that perhaps SAMA did not do the work in 
question.

         So, Mr. Erwin, I'd like to request the chance to verify your 
accusations. Please supply me with the serial numbers of the pianos, and I 
can tell you whether they were ever in Juarez.

         I ask that until then, you reserve judgement about a business that 
has hundreds of satisfied customers. References available upon request at 
www.samapianos.com  Plant tours are welcome.

Sincerely,
Guy Nichols, RPT
President, SAMA


>     The first was a 1908 A-2 in ebony. Standard case Round style front. 
> The best part of the job was the finish work. I've seen plenty & this & 
> 'twas quite nice & the satin rubout excellent. The  plate finish was 
> fair. New block of some sort but the string job was poor. Poor coils & 
> not pulled up.
>    The sound board was a literal venetian blind of shims that were 
> installed to look cosmetically nice from the top but it was literally the 
> worst I've ever seen. Horrible board discoloration & of course the shims 
> all those shims sticking thru. Crown? Bearing? yeah,uh huh
>    Bridges toasted of course.
>   The action once again had the ever ineffective Renner 15.5 mm knuckle 
> shank placement & the ever heavy
>un-prepared & bored wrong hammers (not Renners fault). It Needs new keys.
>The  Regulation poor, tone poor
>  etc etc etc.........
>  The very nice gentelman that purchased it for 33k was looking for his 
> last & dream piano. Bad dream
>  I value it maybe 12 to 15K. The restoration estimate 24K
>
>
>    The other was a 1906 O. Once again nice satin Mahogany finish.  The 
> top treble rib was broken & hanging down. The rest of the scenario is, 
> second verse same as the first. Value 8 k She paid 15,000 & not stung as 
> bad. But now she's stuck with a loss or spending  the cash to get the 
> real deal.
>      All the action cleats were loose & the action was rattling around. 
> Hammers bored too short by over 1/8. One cleat was replaced it was so 
> split it was unusable & the sos spring screw holes were so stripped the 
> sos was floating around & causing notes to stay open. The block so split 
> I replaced it. The "new " pinblock was sitting 1/8th inch off the treble 
> shelf.
>    I was just giving her a band aid with the 17K estimate.
>    The moral of the story is don't shop on e-bay & no there really aren't 
> any totally rebuilt stwys for sale in that price range.
>   This gal ignored good advice (mine) before she purchased it & then 
> expected a stamp of approval when she called. I was nice but bad news is 
> just that.
>   This is just another business scam in different clothes. Dress it up 
> and sell it is the name of this dealer game & if I sound annoyed well.... 
> I hope this helps someone out there. Pass this E-mail  to the client who 
> is looking at one of these rip offs.
>   So to ya'all buyer beware & you heard it here first.
>    Regards & Blessings
>    Dale Erwin
>

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