loose ethical pins update

[RicB]

Hi Tom

Nice to hear things have so far turned out well.  Looks like your 
Steinway dealership is willing to take the problem seriously, if 
presented with it a fashion that shows appropriate sensitivities to the 
various issues always involved in such cases.  Sounds to me like you 
handled the thing perfectly.  I especially liked your attitude towards 
encouraging them to get a second opinion.  This is ALWAYS,  (IMHO) a 
useful and productive move to make.

I also look forward to hearing whether the dealer indeed follows up and 
in that case whether or not Steinway follows up.

One question tho... is the owner aware of the situation at this point ?

Cheers
RicB


List
   
  I was able to catch the head technician in at the shop today and all 
is well.  
   
  It really helped to hear all your advice and I think it helped me to 
get my head on straight, if I may use an outdated cultural catchphrase.  
   
  I related my experiences with the piano to the head tech and he said 
he would contact Steinway on Tuesday and find out how they would like to 
respond to this issue.  (He thought they might replace the piano, or 
perhaps repin it.)  I told him I wouldn't be offended if he wanted to 
send another tech out there for a second opinion but he felt the torque 
readings were low enough to warrant action.  
   
  I want to say further, just to balance the issue out, that this is the 
only Essex I've ever found with low pin torque.  The most common problem 
I've found with Essex grands is the occasional leaking damper.  I've 
been called on to tune about 40 of these over the last couple of years 
and like most Asian pianos, they have a very clear tone and are easy to 
tune.  Sure, I prefer when they send me a new client with a Steinway B, 
but heck, out of all the pianos I tune, these Essexes would be closer to 
the top of the list than the bottom.  (OK, so I have a lot of Janssen 
spinets and Betsy Rosses in my clientele!)
   
  Furthermore, the local dealer of which we discuss usually has a 
comprehensive new piano prepping procedure.  I know because I have 
prepped many of the pianos there over the past few years.  This huge 
sale cleaned out their entire inventory and new pianos were coming right 
out of the box and into the customer's homes.  This is not normal 
procedure, but that's how a piano like this got to be in a customer's home.
   
  I look forward to writing to you all again to say that the issue has 
been settled and either the customer has a new piano or a new pinblock.  
And that the dealer hasn't blackballed me!  
  At this point, I have little doubt that I will be able to send that 
post to you all at some point.
   
  Thanks again for your input,
  Tom Sivak
  Chicago