Custom Piano Restoration

[RicB]

Hi Dale

But I have been saying this all along !  Its part of the whole mix of 
things. If one looks through my posts on related  threads over the past 
6-7 years you'll find that I've said this kind of thing time and time 
again.  It may perhaps be easier (depending on ones perspective) to 
notice a strong defense of Steinway on several issues.. i.e. 
soundboards, duplex, reputation...etc.  But that is in basis because I 
see warning flags go up all over the place when discussing negative 
aspects of these same.  The boarder across what is productive is a thin 
one.

I was one of those speaking out earliest and most enthusiastic about 
doing a rebuilders display in Rochester. The point being exactly what 
you get into below about the difficulties in marketing you guys face.  
In the end... I believe, and I believe this strongly... that whatever 
chances you guys have in breaking through go along these kinds of 
lines.  Taking advantage of any and all potentials for getting your 
names and products out there.  Thats my primary motivation for 
suggesting that people put their names very visibly on any major rebuild 
design.  Right there on the fall board beside the original... or some 
other appropriate place. Its my motivation for much of the stuff I've 
argued about.

You mention the risk of speaking enthusiastically about ones own piano 
designs / workmanship.  I understand where you are coming from to be 
sure. But for the record...  some of the most satisfactory reading I've 
had on this list these past years was just after Rochester reading Ron 
Nossamans posts about his experience with his piano, the concert played 
on it, and the pianist who was involved.  And it makes no difference 
what a difficult personal relationship he and I have.  I was tickled 
more then pink at what was a big two titted genuine success. Positives 
all over the place there.  Same thing goes about all the other 
instruments really. Ron O.s immaculate workmanship for example... but 
all of you really.  In these kinds of environments... there is no time 
to talk about how this or the other thing some manufacturer does 
<<sucks>> to put a point on the word.  And thank god for that... because 
the best marketing is the one that puts no negative thoughts in a 
customer at all... at least thats my belief.

I suppose for as long as I remember I've gotten into trouble with folks 
because I have this incessant need to try and keep my P's and Q's 
separate.  Deal with each issue one at a time and try only then to put 
things into a whole... which is always nearly a hopeless proposition.  
But thats where I am and I am indeed quite sincere about it and about 
piano work in general.

Cheers
Great post by the way...
RicB


    Ric
      Ah.. ha. Now your talking my language.  Now  you've finally gotten
    around
    to the message that  David Andersen &  I have been verbalizing &
    pumping for
    quite some time  now. All My belly head colleagues on list & in the
    gallery
    clearly  understand & promote the value added piano that custom  
    restoration/design produces.
       IMHO C. R. equals unparrelled sound, touch &  beauty.  Professional
    pianist & ameteurs alike are weary of the mass  produced sound &
    touch & the
    marketing schpeel that goes with it.   Their ears are aching for a
    highly refined
    piano that lights up their soul, And  the attendees at Rochester
    made this
    abundantly clear ....they are ready for  something new & can hear
    the difference.
       One frustration/risk has been that when we speak 
    enthusiastically of our
    own pianos or speak of a subjective  tonal  experiences we run the
    risk of
    appearing to be some kind of prima donnas or some  one selling the
    emperors new
    clothes so we/many have been careful as to how much  we can say.
    Truth is we
    are very excited about the sound we are hearing  & Love hearing
    piano music
    played on instruments  that a pianist has tonal Carte Blanche.
      Up to now it's a hard sell though because it's an uphill  battle
    against
    all the marketing & misinformation put out by dealers.   Some folks
    get it &
    others don't. Some folks hear & feel the difference  & understand
    that the
    perception of Custom restoration is REAL!  However as networking
    thru our members
    gets the word  out more folks are hitting our web sites with
    requests for
    information &  piano for sale.  More techs are calling us for belly
    work.  It's  
    gratifying but we have a long way to go to change perception &
    frankly the  best
    way to do it is to have events like the Rebuilders Gallery where we
    can put  
    our hands & ears on the real deal & experience a brand new flavor & 
    nuance.
    Hearing is not believing it's knowing
      Ain't it great!!
      Dale Erwin

    Hi  Dale

    All other perceptions and issues aside.... what you describe below  is
    actually my big hope for the industry at large.  It has seemed 
    apparent
    to me for a long time that the potential for the <<one man  shop>> to
    make the absolute best instruments around is a moment just  waiting for
    its time.  I'm actually amazed that mass production in  its many forms
    ends up doing as well as it does.  But the potential  for quality that
    lies in the <<one man shop>> really can  outstrip any factory IMHO. 
    Its
    just a concept waiting for its time  in this industry I think.  Let the
    mass production pianos be for the  masses.... and let the serious
    pianists of the world finally wake up to  the fact that music is not
    about predictability... especially since that  is largely an
    illusion to
    begin with.... and open up for a world of  tonality and quality that
    could exist if they would just start looking  more seriously at
    individual piano makers (persons) for their instruments  instead of
    known
    name  manufacturers.

    Cheers