<!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 6.00.6000.16525" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Point taken.  Disagree, in that there are likely a number of processes used in mfg, that we as rebuilders use and there could certainly be implications, but, OK, I see your point.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>William R. Monroe</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=wimblees@aol.com href="mailto:wimblees@aol.com">Willem Blees</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, September 27, 2007 8:24 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: ecofriendliness</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><WBR>As I said, there is a place for this kind of exploration and investigating. I just don't think the PTG, either on this forum, or at seminars, etc. is the place. We are piano technicians, not manufacturers. Now, if Noah finds out that the glues or resins we are using in our day to day operations, for example, are environmentally unfriendly, that is something that has a direct impact on us. But from what he is asking, he wants information about the manufacturing of pianos. <BR><BR> <DIV style="CLEAR: both">Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT<BR>Piano Tuner/Technician<BR>Honolulu, HI<BR>Author of <BR>The Business of Piano Tuning<BR>available from Potter Press<BR>www.pianotuning.com</DIV><BR><BR>-----Original Message-----<BR>From: William R. Monroe <pianotech@a440piano.net><BR>To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><BR>Sent: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 2:50 pm<BR>Subject: Re: ecofriendliness<BR><BR> <DIV id=AOLMsgPart_2_272a725c-2c40-40c5-b52e-7c2eedc51293> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Respectfully disagree, Wim,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>It is just this kind of thinking that helps identify weak points (environmentally or otherwise) in our business.  Some we can't (or choose not to) do anything about, like, making pianos.  Others, like finding more sustainable products to use, for example, that still give us the musical qualities we desire, may be discovered and implemented to reduce our impact.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>I used to work at the Gibson acoustic guitar factory in Bozeman, MT (before Gibwin) and while I was there we started experimenting with a different, faster growing, less environmentally detrimental farmed tree for the face of the guitar (soundboard).  I forget what we called these models, but, just the same.....it's a valid example.  I'm sure we wouldn't have to look to hard at our industry to find things that not only would be environmentally more friendly, but quite possibly more economical as well.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>William R. Monroe</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV>Paul</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My point is, if Noah finds out that piano manufacturing is "killing" our planet, will you stop working on pianos? Pianos are our business. If manufatureres stop making pianos, in the long run, it will effect our business. <BR><BR>I'm not saying the public should ignore enviromental problems of piano manufacturers, if there are any. But in my opinion, a PTG sponsored seminar or technical institute is not the arena where this should be aired.  <BR><BR>Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT<BR><BR><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Paul wrote:</FONT></DIV> <DIV id=AOLMsgPart_2_dd76433d-da51-47f9-af3c-76559ffdd75c>If no one goes to his class he probably won't teach it any more. If lots of people (you obviously excluded) attend and rave about it to their friends, perhaps still more people will mob him and he'll have to write a best-seller. Ya' never know, but with your attitude about the supposed non-problem our planet faces, due in some small part by piano mfrs worldwide, not just the 4 in this narcissistic nation, you'll never find out and my kids will choke to death. <BR><BR> <DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid"> <DIV> <DIV> <DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid"> <DIV bgcolor="#ffffff"><SPAN class=q> <DIV><SPAN> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV> </DIV>Okay. I'm looking for any and all information regarding the environment (preservation of forests, damage to environment from glue, etc.) as it pertains to a piano. I intend to become an expert and then teach a class. Any help? <BR>             -Noah Haverkamp Frere<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></SPAN></DIV></SPAN></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR>The question is, why? What will you gain by knowing the damage to the environment, and the depletion of the forests, and all the other "problems" related to the manufacturing of pianos? First of all, there are only 4 piano manufacturing facilities left in this country. The "damage" they are causing is minuscule compared to the other industries. Second, on a world wide basis, again, the impact is virtually non-existence. And last, what impact will the information you learn have on the industry, even if you do create and teach an outstanding class? <BR><BR>I'm not saying you shouldn't do the homework, but will it be beneficial to us.<BR><BR>Wim <BR></DIV></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV class=AOLPromoFooter> <HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px"> Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free <A href="http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/index.htm?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000970" target=_blank>AOL Mail</A>!<BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>