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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>List,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have recently started working on =
these new
pianos. The local dealer in my area has just started carrying =
these as an
entry level piano. Of course it is a Chinese made =
instrument. I
haven't actually prepped any of these on the floor, but wanted to relay =
some of
my most recent experiences. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The very first grand I saw was fresh =
out of the
box, and still had the action tied down. I was only walking by =
this
instrument and felt compelled to help the dealer out and untie the =
action to
make it playable for the next person. I was not there to work that =
day, so
I didn't tune it. I normally remove the fallboard first. =
This was
next to impossible on this piano. The installer must have placed =
the
hanger pin too close to the stretcher. That distance was less than =
the
thickness of the fall board. Impossible to remove in the normal
fashion. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I tuned a couple more in customers =
homes that had
been prepped, and they weren't too bad. Actually played pretty =
well and
sounded ok for the money.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I tuned my first vertical this week, =
and again
overall I thought it played and sounded good.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>My second vertical was not so =
good. This
piano reminded me of the early Chinese pianos. European style (no =
front
legs). This piano may not have been as thoroughly prepped as the =
others
(which is rare for this dealer, they are very good about their in store
prep). There were probably 2 dozen jack springs tripped out of =
their
holes. Two hammer shanks were unglued, not at the hammer head but =
at the
butt. Although there was gobs of glue on it. Brittle like =
hide glue,
and light amber in color. Many squeaks at the balance rail =
bushings. Metal
like pedal squeaks. Lots of found motion (they are probably =
compensating
early for wear). Hammers were warping all over. The other =
pianos
seemed like they were burned and traveled better, making for better =
hammer
spacing (I'm a stickler for aesthetics). The rest of the piano was =
about
as many would expect. The thing that really stood out was the jack =
springs. Why would so many be out? They are glued in at the =
bottom,
but loose at the top. To be honest, the jacks still returned =
fine,
but I just happened to look down close enough to see.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Just my experience. Hope I didn't =
waste
anyone's time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mike =
Bratcher</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>