Clunker pianos - what do you do?

[mccleskey112 at bellsouth.net]

Yes Terry. If the repairs reach the point that it is advisable to invest in another instrument, I always advise the client of that fact. That way I gain credibility in the clients eye and they can make that decision. I find that most people have enough money savvy to make a wise choice. I never try to push them either way. If they ask for my input I make an honest answer even if  cost me a job. 
Gerald McCleskey RPT
----- 
  From: Farrell 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 9:16 AM
  Subject: Re: Clunker pianos - what do you do?


  Interesting comments on this topic. IMHO, one important item not addressed is to add up the cost of bringing the clunker to the target playing level and evaluate how that compares to replacement with a late-model piano. So very often, a $500 to $1K 20 year old Kimball (or whatever) console or studio (as much as I hate these things) will make for a much better playing/sounding instrument (okay, a stretch to describe it as an instrument...) than putting those same funds into the old clunker. IMHO, $1K worth of bandaids on an old clunker =  an old worn-out piano that plays marginally better, but will still likely cost $300 every time it is tuned due to repairs on hammer shanks, unglued jack flanges, breaking strings, etc., etc., etc.

  Not always, but very often.

  Terry Farrell
    ----- Original Message ----- 

    Thanks to everyone who has responded to my e-mail.  You’re really helping me sort out my thoughts on this issue.

     

    As Paul stated, sometimes there is still life in these pianos but very often the owner is expecting a miracle.  I guess it comes from our society of instant gratification.  The piano tuner is supposed to make the piano work again just like the appliance repairman makes the dishwasher work again.  Instead I sometimes have to be the bearer of bad news.  Repairs are costly and many people here just can’t afford it.  I want people to be happy and instead we both get frustrated.

     

    Concerning passing these pianos off to less experienced techs….I’m it!   Ha Ha Ha!  The older gentleman who owns the local music shop and tunes pianos can’t see well enough to do the repairs so he’s passing ALL of his repair work to me.  Most Austin techs are unwilling to make the drive so if I don’t fix them they won’t get fixed.  Ironically, this is why I got into this business in the first place.  I saw a need in our community and I jumped in.  

     

    Thanks to everyone for listening to my mental wanderings.  

     

    Have a super Thursday!

     

    Michelle
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