<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>In a message dated 7/14/01 8:54:25 AM Central Daylight Time,
<BR>pianolover88@hotmail.com (pianolover 88) writes:
<BR>
<BR>
<BR><BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">But even at only 10 minutes
<BR>per string (old off-new on) it's gonna take over EIGHT HOURS!!! So i'm
<BR>thinking maybe I should refer it to another tech who has done lots of this
<BR>type stuff before. Thoughts?</BLOCKQUOTE>
<BR>
<BR>Terry,
<BR>
<BR>The others have all given you good advice. I'd like to address the issue of
<BR>whether it's worth it to you. As someone who may only be experienced in
<BR>individual string replacement, you may want to accept this job if it will
<BR>give you some good, practical experience. After all, it's not that much
<BR>different from doing the same job on a much more valuable piano.
<BR>
<BR>It all depends on you having the time to do it for a price that is agreeable
<BR>to both you and the customer. Remember, you are self employed. You have the
<BR>right and privilege of making that determination, regardless of anyone else's
<BR>price structure. Someone with many years experience may be able to do the job
<BR>in a few hours and charge big bucks for it. Usually, however, such a person
<BR>would not want to work on an old Upright. You'd really be learning on the
<BR>job (although you wouldn't want to let your customer get that impression).
<BR>Considering that, you might well consider that a stipend type fee for the
<BR>time spent is appropriate. So, if it suits you, Terry, you're the man for
<BR>the job.
<BR>
<BR>Regarding the tilter: It's a great tool and asset but it alone would cost
<BR>about what you'll get from this job. You don't really need one to do it.
<BR>I'd suggest pulling the piano out from the wall, find some padding such as a
<BR>moving or other old blanket, tilt the piano back about 45 degrees with the
<BR>padding protecting the wall. If the floor is not carpeted, you will need
<BR>padding for it too.
<BR>
<BR>If you decide eventually that you will be doing reconditioning and rebuilding
<BR>projects on a regular basis, the tilt cart will be an appropriate item to
<BR>have. It will probably not fit into a car. You need a truck to take it to a
<BR>job. I sold mine years ago.
<BR>
<BR>Good luck.
<BR>
<BR>Bill Bremmer RPT
<BR>Madison, Wisconsin</FONT></HTML>