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<FONT face=Arial>Q: <FONT size=2>"How long have you owned it and when was the last time it was tuned?"</FONT></FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial>A:"It was tuned about 2 years ago"</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial>Reality: I find a tuning notice on one key of a collegue who tuned it 10 years ago!</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial></FONT> <BR>
<FONT face=Arial>Q:" How old might your piano be? Is it some kind of modern piano or from 1920-1930?"</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial>A:"It might be 20 years old"</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial>Reality: itīs 70 years, at least. (A customer called me for his 20 years old(!) Seiler upright. Actually it was 120 years old!)</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial></FONT> <BR>
<FONT face=Arial>Q:" In what condition is the piano in your eyes?"</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial>A:" Oh, just fine and it looks realy beautyful. Only a few keys are sticking and some key tops are missing. Some notes do not sound, but thatīs probably because some strings are broken. I tried to look inside from above, but I canīt see much because there is a horizontal wooden plank on the upper side of the action. Thatīs a sign of quality, isnīt it? But I can see the pins and some of them are pointing downward, I think you should make them pointing straight again."</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial>Q." Oh, I understand. Can you see if there are some cracks in that metal frame which you can see around the pin field?"</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial>A:"There is no metal, just wood."</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=Arial>Q:"Okay, now letīs take a look to the soundboard. Can you open the lower part of the piano by removing the lower board</FONT> which is positioned under the keys? What do you see?<BR>
A:" Ah, thatīs funny. The piano stands not at a wall but in the middle of the room and the sun is shining to its backside. After opening the lower part the sun shines through the piano and makes funny stripes on the opposing wall. Ha Ha!"<BR>
Q:" Ah, I see. Is there a brand name?"<BR>
A:" Yes, Garbage, Cheapo and Birdcage Ltd., Trashtown, England. Why?"<BR>
Q." Just curious. How long have you owned it?"<BR>
A." Itīs an old familiy piece. My grandgrandgrandgrandgrandpa shipped it on the Mayflower."<BR>
Q:" Okay, sorry, I am too busy, but I give you a name of a specialist for these pianos. Call him, itīs ***insert the name of your most hated competitor here*****!"<BR>
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Usually customers know nothing about pianos, we are the experts. And donīt hesitate to refuse some jobs. I understand that some people canīt afford a better piano or a professional repair. But I canīt afford wasting my time with doing things I hate to do.<BR>
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Gregor<FONT face=Arial></FONT><BR>
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From: mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com<BR>To: pianotech@ptg.org<BR>Subject: Re: am I getting too old?<BR>Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:27:08 -0500<BR><BR>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Q: <FONT size=2>"How long have you owned it and when was the last time it was tuned?"</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A: I'm not sure when it was tuned last, it was left by the previous owners when we moved in five years ago....."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>anon</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I try to stay away from the old giants as well, however, when I try to determine what the situation is with the person on the phone it usually the case that the person can't faithfully describe what condition the piano is in or even the maker of the instrument. More often than not when I see the piano it is either a tunable piano of medium quality or something exceptional (in the world of never ending uprights) that is unique in case, construction and vintage that will yield good results especially if it has been cared for during it's life on earth. I guess my main question I ask to determine if it's worth the trip to their door is "how long have you owned it and when was the last time it was tuned". The other side to that is the time wasted when you enter to find the 3 castered door beater just waiting for string breakage hour. An unfortunate waste of time and gas but I will have no problem being the bearer of bad news and get out with a little extra time for errands and a piano owner with a easier decision to make. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>David C. </FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE><br /><hr />Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! <a href='http://clk.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/' target='_new'>MSN Messenger</a></body>
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