<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: kawai</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> <BLOCKQUOTE>I dont want to get into a diatride like the ones on hearing aids and ear plugs.So  far I have found this site to be helpful,but now I wonder.First of all I wear hearing aids and ear plugs. 3 years as a pilot in Vietnam did some damage. I am also a retired professional engineer. I have spent the last 20 years building and repairing many types of stringed instruments. Yes I am good on piano actions and have repaired them for years and finally decided it was stupid and lazy not to learn how to tune them! I cant tell you how many or how many years to become  a tuner but I can say that when you feel you are the best you are kidding yourself.I am taking training I will be a RPT some day. I am joining the Guild. I have all the books and a good supply of tools.Needless to say this forum,I thought ,was to offer encouragement.We found the wire breakage problem it was the hole in the pin. It has been replaced and tuned.I fl some tricks of the trade would be nice. In closing ras Marshall's letter an ty to be a little more loose,Charlie </BLOCKQUOTE> Welcome, Charlie....you’re doing everything right; keep on going.  The passion level here is high, and the plaintive note you sent, doubting yourself, was a bit confusing and perhaps gave the replier the wrong idea about your approach.  Relax----everybody here wants you to succeed and have a good time doing it. Welcome. David Andersen Malibu, CA </BODY> </HTML>