<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1555" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi list members!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've been following the thread about the "message" in the wurly.  I've been tuning and rebuilding for 25+ years, and when apprenticing, my mentor told me that "dating and initialing tunings" was a good idea.  When I asked why, he said that if a customer moves, or a new tuner/tech. is called to work on the piano, it's the only way for the tuner/tech. to know, with any certainty, the last service call <U>you could be sure of</U>.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Every time I receive a service call from a new customer, I ask how long it has been since the piano was last serviced. The majority of the time, they can't remember, are guessing, or have no idea (most don't save receipts, either!).  I usually look for this "hidden" information (dates, initials, etc.) before I ever touch the first key- and then run my hands over the keys-using the combination of the audible results and this info. to justify my recommendation for a pitch adjustment (in most cases) and point out to the (new) customer the last confirmed service the instrument (or PSO) had received.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Most people are excited about their pianos' "history".  In some way, it seems to give them a more vested interest in their piano-- they know  the piano more intimately, and usually make a 'connection' with the tuner/tech. who enlightens them to what's hidden inside.  How many times has a customer exclaimed:  "WOW! I've never seen the inside of a piano.  I didn't realize that there was so much in there!!!"</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What happens with the family that bought the piano at an estate sale/ used and know NOTHING about the history of their purchase?  It's always been a positive selling point, at least in my experience.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Here in MA, I've rarely seen a piano that didn't have numerous 'penciled-in dates', initials, return address labels, PTG service labels and the like (excluding college and university instruments).  I tune for a local theater/performing arts center that has so many dates in their 1902 S&S "B" that the plate looks like some graffiti artist has had their way with it.  I've even had customers ask if I had remembered to "sign" the tuning.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I always initial and date tunings because I believe that it's helpful to another tuner/tech. if the piano moves, but more over, I take pride in my skills and profession, and would never put my name or initials on anything that was less than 100% - or at least the best that could be achieved on even a marginal PSO. Besides, the likelihood is that no one except the piano tuner/tech. will ever see this information- hence, in most cases, nothing unsightly to the eye.  On newly rebuilt instruments, I provide a service folder with records in the bench... wouldn't want to mark up a newly re-bronzed plate!!!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Just some thoughts.  Care to share your experiences in this area?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Marshall Connolly, Jr.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>New Bedford, MA</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A href="mailto:falcone1132@tmlp.com">falcone1132@tmlp.com</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>