<html><head><style type="text/css"></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">John,</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Those are the right answers. With about a hundred piano technicians within a 2 hour drive from my house, I forget that in some places techs are a day away. Plan to attend regional conventions and the Annual Convention whenever possible. There are classes for everyone, from entry level student, to advanced students with 30+ years of experience.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Take care,</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Dave Davis, RPT</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><BR><BR> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: John Cole <johnspianotech@hotmail.com><BR>To: pianotech@ptg.org<BR>Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:41:54 PM<BR>Subject: thanks, guys<BR><BR> <DIV>First, thanks to everyone for the feedback. As to the mentor question, I'd <BR>love to have one, but haven't made the personal (face to face) contacts yet. <BR>I've talked on the phone with 3 Arkansas PTG members, including the <BR>president. Most of the membership is in northwest or north central (almost <BR>Missouri) away from where I am. PTG has sent me the info on joining and I'm <BR>looking it over. I plan on joining, just haven't taken action yet. There is <BR>one member that is driving distance away from me. I haven't met her, but the <BR>president told me she tunes on the weekends and is a full time nurse.<BR>I told the customer when I was at her house last that I would study, ask <BR>advice from experienced techs, and when I have a few possible diagnoses and <BR>the knowledge of how to fix them I would return. She was happy to let me <BR>have the learning experience and told me to study up and get back with her.<BR>I have read the sections in Reblitz on how to remove the grand action. I <BR>even found a web site (stevespianoservice.com) where he recommends using <BR>posterboard to keep the hammers from catching on the pin block. One common <BR>denominator is everyone tells me to be careful. Thanks.<BR>I also have some of the diagrams and specs for different pianos with my <BR>Potter course. I have been looking at them and also saw where Renner's web <BR>site has a virtual action model. I've been looking at it to see an action in <BR>motion.<BR>Since you know I'm just a student right now, you can probably guess that <BR>right now this activity is not feeding my family. I am an elementary music <BR>teacher by day and a part-time music minister on the weekends. Thanks again.<BR><BR>John Cole<BR>Clinton, AR<BR><BR>_________________________________________________________________<BR>Mortgage rates as low as 4.625% - Refinance $150,000 loan for $579 a month. <BR>Intro*Terms  <A href="http://www.nextag.com/" target=_blank>http://www.NexTag.com</A></DIV></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><BR></DIV></div></body></html>