SO.....RPT tests are all well and good BUT what about being a piano tech AND a pneumatic player piano technician (rebuilding, that is) AND a reed organ technician (again rebuilding) Here in St. Louis, MO, there are only a few pneumatic player techs left and most of them are retired and want to stay retired. A few years ago, we lost a 30+ year player tech (I even knew him well and bought many, nearly 100 rolls from him and his shop) and being a player piano fanatic since childhood, I decided to add pneumatic player rebuilding to my services. I've learned a lot along the way, one of which, what suppliers NOT to buy from. And fewer reed organ technicians - but I digress .... Anyway, my point is, RPT testing is only half the battle of the piano tech when it comes to dealing with a pneumatic player. Plus, where is the RPT equivalent to rebuilding an antique reed organ - of which I half done about 12 for customers. Since the guild seems, IMHO, to be geared to grands and -most- think the lesser of uprights and even lesser than that of players ... where in the guild is there an RPT status for pneumatic player technicians. For those of you out there that know, being a pneumatic player tech -along- with having a family and responsibilities - there is virtually NO time to study for the tests, let alone wanting to pass only half of the puzzle (the piano side, leaving out the player side). Respectfully, Duaine -- Duaine Hechler Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding Associate Member of the Piano Technicians Guild Reed Organ Society Member St. Louis, MO 63034 (314) 838-5587 dahechler at charter.net www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC