<font color='black' size='2' face='Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif'> <div><font style="background-color: transparent;" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Will</font></div> <div> </div> <div>I ordered the strings directly from Mapes. After the fact I asked them if they had the exact model for each serial number, and they don't. So all they could go by was that I ordered a set for a 1098, without researching if that was the right scale for that serial numbered piano. This is the second time this had happened with Mapes. Although they require a serial number, they don't check to see if the model they are given is right for that serial number. </div> <div> </div> <div>Usually I send the strings in. But one of the advantages, (I thought), of  working on Steinway pianos is that parts, including bass strings, are pretty universal. But I am finding out, the hard way, that this is not true. So the lesson learned is that I need to send in the strings, regardless of who the manufacturer is</div> <div> </div> <div>God, I hate that Murphy.</div> <div> </div> <div>Wim . </div> <div></div> <div style="clear: both;"> <div> </div> </div> <div></div> <div></div> <div style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">-----Original Message-----<br> From: Encore Pianos <encorepianos@metrocast.net><br> To: pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org><br> Sent: Thu, Oct 18, 2012 10:33 am<br> Subject: Re: [pianotech] who pays?<br> <br> <div id="AOLMsgPart_1_3239dc4b-b258-4da9-a579-37a39e0844e8"> <div class="WordSection1"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;">Wim, I believe that the onus is on you.  I don’t know any good rebuilders who don’t at least take minimal measurements off the piano – such as first and last strings of the monochords, first and last strings of the bichords, etc.  Along with that come, core diameters, outer diameters,  hitch to winding or hitch to speaking length bridge pin, speaking length, whatever.  String makers will vary in what they will ask for but all of them provide clear instructions as to what they want.  Some will want a rubbing too.  Doing these things protects you from this kind of incident.  30 years ago I ordered a stock set of strings for  a Steinway O?  (memory brownout here).  It was a curved bridge and I got strings for a straight bridge of same model.  If memory serves me, I paid for the second set.  </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;">I operate under the Third Corrollary of Murphy’s Law, where it should always be assumed that Murphy is a bastard, Murphy hates you, and it is personal.  </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;">Should Mapes have known?  I don’t have an easy answer to that.  Was Mapes selling the strings to you as Steinway’s agent or acting on their own?  </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;">Providing sufficient measurements and other details places the onus on them if there are problems, because they would have enough information to supply you with the correct strings.  Lacking that, liability is a flip of the coin.  </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;">Will Truitt</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 10pt;">From:</span></b><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 10pt;"> <a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a> [<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org?">mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b><a href="mailto:tnrwim@aol.com">tnrwim@aol.com</a><br> <b>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 18, 2012 3:32 PM<br> <b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a><br> <b>Subject:</b> [pianotech] who pays?</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 10pt;">I am restrining a Steinway 1098 console piano. I called Mapes for the bass strings, and told them I have a 1098, including the serial number. Yesterday I'm getting ready to put the bass strings on, and they don't fit. So I called Mapes and they said they sent out the right strings. So I sent an e-mail to Steinway, giving them the serial number of the piano, and they responded that the piano I have, with Queen Ann legs, has a model F scale, not a 1098 scale. </span></div> </div> <div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div> </div> <div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 10pt;">How was I supposed to know that?  Should Mapes have know that, considering that I gave them the serial number? But the big question is. Who's going to pay for this? It cost me $60 to send the original strings and the wrong bass strings, back to Mapes. And I'm sure I have to pay for another set of strings, plus shipping. Am I out of the money?  Should Mapes pay for it? Can I charge the customer? (That I know isn't right, so I shouldn't even ask it).  </span></div> </div> <div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div> </div> <div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 10pt;">Wim </span></div> </div> <div> <div> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: ; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  </div> </font>