<HTML>In a message dated 9/25/01 6:40:57 PM Central Daylight Time, mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Except for at the annual PTG conventions, I have yet to come across a reasonably properly "rebuilt" piano. Am I right to think that greater than 95% of the "rebuilt" pianos out there are no better than slightly improved poorly playing worn out pianos whose miserable lives have MAYBE been extended another ten or so torturous years? Terry Farrell </BLOCKQUOTE> It's not as bad as all of that, Terry. The mistake often lies with the customer. There have been times when I stood right next to a customer who was calling her husband to get permission to replace the bridle straps, telling her husband that the piano tuner was going to "rebuild" the piano for $75.00. Most piano technicians will tell a customer, "I am going to regulate the action, replace a few broken parts, tune and raise pitch and clean the insides." In the process, perhaps keep the action at home for a week, maybe two. Later he finds out that she told her friends that the piano tuner "completely rebuilt the piano, and kept it at his shop for 3 months." So don't blame the unknown piano tuner. Blame the unkowinging owner. Willem </HTML>