not too much badmouthing please

[Gregor _]

Yes, some of these Ebay pianos are not so bad but some are far out of discussion to tune. On the other hand: not all pianos from someone who wants to get rid of it are bad. Sometimes I get calls from people who want to donate me their instrument and sometimes it´s a really good deal. It´s not a must that these pianos are completely worn out. I have some pianos in my clientele which are from 1880 or so. Some of these were completely rebuilt 50 years or so ago. I never tune these pianos up to 440 Hz. Someone who plays on such an old instrument is usualy not a concert pianist nor a member of any music ensemble, just a home player who enjoys to play sometimes for himself. So, no need for 440 Hz. Sometimes I am really amazed about the decent condition of some of these very old pianos. One factor might be the very stable climate that we have here in Germany.

Gregor

From: thetuner at ivories52.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: RE: not too much badmouthing please
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:11:04 -0700




Message







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 
  

  
  -----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 
    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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