<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> <o:p> </o:p> Debbie wrote<o:p></o:p> I guess my problem is that my mind boggles that two techs, one in the business here for over 25 years and the other for about 8 were stumped with this.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> When I first started out I was coming from an engineering background. My piano training consisted mostly of studying Reblitz and the Schaff catalog. The piano dealer where I was doing floor tunings occasionally would send me out to fix warranty type problems. I was surprised to find myself able to solve some problems that the more experienced tuner couldn’t get. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> There are lots of tuners out there who do a decent job of tuning and can change parts. But they either haven’t taken the time or they just don’t have the technical aptitude to really learn what makes a piano tick. For them it’s just a black box: push down on the key and the sound comes out the other end. Turn the pin to adjust the sound. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Now for me the player mechanisms are black boxes. Whenever I see one I cross two fingers in front of me and back away sloooowly. ;-)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Blessings,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Dean<o:p></o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of pianolady50@peoplepc.com Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 7:19 PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: Player rant<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Okay, I'll clear up a few things.  I started as a piano tech.  I then branched out to player work.  I love both, have been at both for over ten years.  At the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">high point</st1:place></st1:City> of playerism I was REBUILDING approx. 4 - 5 88 note players and 2 reproducers per year. Throw in a few reed organs to that mix.  Not to mention regular tuning and piano work. Some of the work was done in cooperation with another very experienced technician.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Now, after a move, and space limitations, I don't do as much full rebuild work.  However, I am the only tech in the area for player work.  My schedule  for major rebuilds is backlogged well over one year.  I have tried to be a bit selective in the work with my emphasis tending more towards more unique instruments.  I rebuilt my first Seeburg aka Western Electric <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Derby</st1:place></st1:City> this past spring.  I was overjoyed.  I had a blast!  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Anyway, my point is, it is to me that the other two techs refer all their player rebuild work.  I assume that each initially felt that this was a piano problem.  And it was.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Soooo,  piano tech X looks at the piano.  Removes the player to see things better AND STILL doesn't find the problem.  Once that player stack was out of the way, this was no different than a run of the mill old upright. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> And, yes, I'm happy to be the person to save the day.  Unfortunately there was nothing challenging about it and I like to be challenged.  I understand that most times things are rather routine. I guess my problem is that my mind boggles that two techs, one in the business here for over 25 years and the other for about 8 were stumped with this.<o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Sigh,<o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Debbie<o:p></o:p> </div> </div> </body> </html>