not too much badmouthing please

[Geoff Sykes]

Ahh, our fear of anticipated horrors. I recently got a call from a young
couple who had recently picked up a Premier b-Grand, c 1920, for free from
"someone that wanted to get rid of it." My first instinct was to run. But, I
dunno, it was a slow week or something. I took the gig. When I showed up the
husband had just finished stripping and refinishing the entire piano. Very
professionally actually, and while it was in the living room of their
apartment. OK, it was covered with brush strokes, but the job was shiny and
black and otherwise quite well done. And he was careful not to paint over
things like tuning pins and strings, and the seal he unknowingly painted
across the keyslip and cheek blocks was very easy to slice through and I was
still able to pull the action out without destroying his work. On the
fallboard he had very elegantly painted his wife's name in red script as the
NEW name of the piano. How could I NOT put some effort into this piano. Long
story short, after an afternoon of cleaning out the years of accumulated
filth, replacing several broken strings, lots of screw and action work, and
even with the top octave and a half hammers worn down to the wood, they were
ecstatic at the results. And she is a very accomplished player. Yes, they
know it's junk. Yes, they know it's only temporary until they can afford a
real one. But until then it's the best piano in the world to this young
newlywed couple. They didn't blink at my bill and I was more than happy to
take their check, without discount. I left with an immense feeling of
satisfaction for a job well done. 
 
Nevertheless, every time I get a call to work on a free, eBay or Craigslist
acquired piano I fear what I'm going to find. Mostly it's crap and I'm
quickly and happily out of there with a minimum service call fee. But
sometimes, like above, it's a very rewarding experience. I love this job. 
 
 



. Geoff Sykes, RPT
. 626-799-7545
. www.ivories52.com <http://www.ivories52.com/>  

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of mccleskey112 at bellsouth.net
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 7:57 PM
To: l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net; Pianotech List
Subject: Re: not too much badmouthing please


Les: Sometimes I have sweated a job that I thought was going to be a horror
show and find out that the dread was wasted. Sometimes the instrument is in
good shape and near standard pitch. I am learning to assume nothing (notice
I said learning) until I actually do the inspection. Good luck. And don't
sweat it.
Gerald McCleskey

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Leslie Bartlett <mailto:l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net>  
To: pianotech at ptg.org 
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 9:06 PM
Subject: not too much badmouthing please


I got an email from some girl who actually as paid money for an upright
piano she says is about 125 years old..........   I don't know WHY she did
this, but I somehow expect that "it looked so quaint and like an antique".
She wishes me to actually attempt to tune the
thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What have I done to deserve
this?   Anyhow, assuming (and I can't even find a comment for that) it is
tuneable, can it be brought up to 440, or would one at all costs keep the
pitch significantly lower.   I'm praying it will fall off a truck in the
move, but fear I might have to face it.  So, without making me pay too much
for this obvious reward of past sins, a bit of help, please?  I'm scared
already, and have been blessed not to see it to date...

les bartlett 

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