<html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1>  </fo= nt>   -----Original = Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Tvak@aol.com Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2004 11:10 = PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Kimball La = Petite   List The piano in question: a Kimball La Petite. The dealer in question: infamous for rhyming with fiasco, among other = things The question in question: Purchased less than a year ago as a new piano, = the treble bridge has tiny cracks near the pins on the speaking side.  = These cracks look just like the cracks you find on that 75 year old upright, emanating sideways from the pin in the direction of the pressure exerted = by the string.  They're not big cracks, but they're big enough to be = noticed while you casually tune a piano.  Pressing on the bridge pin = doesn't seem to change the tone in any way, so I think the bridge pins are still = secure in the bridge. And, truthfully, it doesn't seem to affect the tone at all: no false = beats to speak of.  But I wonder in another 10 years if that will still be = true.  First of all, is this a problem that should be addressed?  Is it a manufacturer's problem or a dealer's problem?  Who makes Kimballs nowadays?  Would it just be easier for me to soak a little CA in = there next time I tune it and just shut up? The owner of the piano, an elderly blind gentleman, has been with me for = years and is a good client.  I didn't mention anything to him yet.  = I thought I'd get a little advice first... Thanks in advance, Tom Sivak Chicago       =       Tom,       =         New piano?  Kimball has been out of production for several years = now.       =       I have several of these in my practice and there all difficult at best and usually worse.       =       In this case I’d tactfully attempt to find out what the selling price = was. If the piano is = meeting his needs and the price was low, I’d probably keep my opinion to = myself. We can’t = “educate” every piano owner who has made a lousy purchase---dealer deception or = not.   &nbsp= ;         On the other hand, if he’s having problems with his new little gem = and/or the price was exorbitant I would support the clients claim for a credit = toward another piano or a refund and expect the dealer to take me off his = Christmas card list if not worse.   &nbsp= ;         These situations are almost always a no-win for the technician =   &nbsp= ;         Tom Driscoll   &nbsp= ;         </div> </body> </html>