You know how the tattoo artist gets $200/hour? He does good work, has a following and charges what he wants. MANY people think the most expensive has to be the best...don't undervalue yourself. When you can get no business, you're charging too much. When you're booked months in advance, raise your rates... David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: "Paul T Williams" <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu> To: pianotech at ptg.org Received: 5/19/2010 2:27:19 PM Subject: Re: [pianotech] Wurlitzer Reeds >It's pretty obvious that we don't charge enough hourly wage for our craft. > >I know we're not supposed to discuss our rates, but it would be very >interesting to know what we all charge, or what the average is >Duaine for one, probably doesn't charge enough if he is the only one >taking on those old player beasts, yet complains that he only makes enough >to "get by", or sadly, doesn't have enough technical knowledge to >re-string, regulate, rebuild all but major items like soundboards, >bridges, and the like, or even rebushing keys; therefore can't afford to >take the time at a convention to learn more about the instrument he fixes. > Very sad indeed. >The more one learns and can implement into his/her business, the more >he/she can and should earn. Learning more piano skills always ends up >earning us more $; and I'll estimate our average is somewhere between >$50-75/hr. or (should I say, more?..Less than that is very sad indeed). >Every time I attend a convention, my head hurts from so much new >information pouring into my brain in such a short amount of time. It's >always worth more than the time I lose from not working for 4-5 days!! >BTW, teachers at the conventions are the best in our industry and have a >checkbook to prove it. If you're not earning at least $50/hour, then it's >time to add more knowledge and charge accordingly. >Nobody can do what we do....especially tune (ETD or aural....I'm not >opening that can-o-worms again), yet people always need to have their >piano tuned. Perhaps people need carpenters, electricians, plumbers, more >than us, but we're more specialized than most of these on the list. Tattoo >artists at 200/hour?? I don't have one, but interesting! >Time to boost the rates, eh? >Best to you all. >Paul >From: >Robert Uckie <robertuckie at gmail.com> >To: >pianotech at ptg.org >Date: >05/19/2010 03:49 PM >Subject: >[pianotech] Wurlitzer Reeds >I was just online ordering Wurlitzer reeds (for myself) at vintagevibe.com >and came across this really great comparison on their FAQ page which I >thought was pretty awesome. Here it is: >Examples: If you were to go out and look for any of these tradesmen >there would be yellow pages full of them. Even amplifier techs are a dime >a dozen comparatively. On the other hand, there are a small handful of >truly qualified vintage keyboard technicians across the country. The true >techs deserve every bit of money they get. > >Hourly rate in this area > Tattoo Artist 200.00 per hour > Carpenter 100.00 > Electrician 125.00 > Plumber 125.00 > Mechanic 85.00 > Lawyer 400.00 > Regarded Guitar Amp Techs $95.00 -120.00 hour > >Unlike an Amplifier technician who just works on electronics, a true >keyboard tech has to be well versed in piano regulation, tuning and >electronics, this is why it takes about 3 times as long or more to repair >a keyboard than an amplifier. A gifted Keyboard tech can make magic happen >and you will know it instantly by playing your instrument, an average >keyboard tech will tell you what he fixed, charge you and you will not >even notice any change other than the obvious.
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