[CAUT] My take on them, (was The "new" S&S Hammers).

[johnsond]

Jeff Tanner wrote:
>
> And I completely disagree with the assertion that the manufacturer no 
> longer owns it.  They own every patent, every design and every process 
> which has earned the reputation sought by buyers of the name on the 
> fallboard.  That name on the fallboard is definitely their property. 
>  It is the identity on which their future business is built.  If we 
> profit by changing any part of the product wearing that name, well, 
> some industries would consider that fraudulent.  Were you the 
> purchaser of a prescription drug or a food that someone had altered 
> after it was stamped ready for market you would quickly disagree with 
> your philosophy.  If it is discovered that drugs are tampered with 
> after they leave the manufacturer, it is that manufacturer that 
> suffers the losses incurred, even if the perpetrator is caught and put 
> in jail.  Let's say we own a small business which makes paint, but 
> can't afford our own cans and labels to store it in, and so we collect 
> empty paint cans with other manufacturer's names on the can - maybe we 
> make interior paint and put it in an old Sherwin Williams exterior 
> paint can and sell it as Sherwin Williams exterior paint.  We are 
> misrepresenting the product in the can and taking advantage of the 
> established name to profit.
>
> The customer thinks he is buying Sherwin Williams exterior paint.
>
> It is the same.
>
> _______________________________________
Hi again-

Sorry, but not exactly...........   Interesting discussion though. You 
almost have to wonder who might be listening in. 
Metaphors always break down, it's their nature, but that's a tough one.  
There are plenty of luxury products out there with a significant side 
business in high profile custom work.  Nothing wrong with a stock 
Harley, but most people think a custom model is better and it's worth 
more money.  A lot more money.   Imagine HD trying to stake claim that 
these bikes are not  Harleys anymore.  More interesting, who would 
really care?  Marketing is powerful stuff. These are expensive luxury 
products the customer bought out of some passion for what they do or 
what they represent.  They are not medications for our health and 
safety.  Granted some customers buy purely as an investment with no 
intention to use them,  but that is ok too.  They are rarely the sort of 
customer to request any custom work.  Can custom work go too far?  Yes- 
I think maybe it can, but that is personal. For one person changing the 
soundboard is reason enough to remove the decals.  To another changing 
key ratios might be going to far.  To another, stock parts are the only 
way to go.  Kind of hard to regulate, but I think you can see where that 
is going. 

There is a lot to think about here, but there simply isn't going to be 
agreement across the board. I would hate for anyone to think that any 
decision I made regarding service to a piano was out of pride.  
ouch.....  We learn early on in this business that it's not about us. We 
learn to love the low profile but take the responsibility, and not even 
look for mention in the credits. 

thanks,

Dennis Johnson