I agree... I don't do a lot of new piano prep...I see a fair number delivered which I tune (Yamahas). I don't see any glaring problems other than tuning stabilty, removing a felt block in front of hammer rail...hammers may be off the rail (upright)...I'm a little puzzled about what all the fuss is...adjust the pedals, go through the tuning twice...leave it sharp... David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: "Rex Roseman" <rosemanpiano at gmail.com> To: caut at ptg.org Received: 11/22/2009 5:24:14 PM Subject: Re: [CAUT] Jeanie's brain storm - was Boston changed to dealers... >Jeannie > >I'm going to jump into this part of the discussion because I think that you >hinted at the point that is missing. Most of the discussion this far seems >to have been about training technicians to do the job that is required to >prep a piano. I think that what is missing and is needed by the >manufacturers is not the "how" but the "what." I started a thread a while >back with the question of "what should/is included in the prepping of a >piano for a store" and got no answers from anyone out there. No one wanted >to touch it. Everyone complains that pianos are not "prepped" correctly, but >no one has any idea what a correct prep is. I would contend that almost all >of the techs working on the floor could deal with almost all of the >problems. The training and the mentoring is abundantly available to handle >any problem thanks to this wonderful organization called the Piano >Technicians Guild. What is needed is a standard that a tech and a dealer can >use for what the manufacturer sees as a properly prepped piano. Once this is >established, any dealer can quickly tell if a tech is competent, and any >tech can quickly tell if the piano needs prepped or is a warranty issue. >IMHO what is the more appropriate question then how. > >Rex Roseman > >-----Original Message----- >From: Jeannie Grassi [mailto:jcgrassi at earthlink.net] >Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 4:29 PM >To: 'Mark Wisner'; caut at ptg.org >Subject: Re: [CAUT] Jeanie's brain storm - was Boston changed to dealers... > >Mark, >Of course there are variables to consider. I could see this with larger >dealerships that have a few technicians working on their pianos. Why not >have at least one who is certified by the manufacturer to make sure their >pianos are being prepped and presented properly? What would be the harm in >suggesting it and at planting the seed in the dealers' minds? If it is too >hard or impractical to require something like that, why not at least state >what would be desirable? Isn't it in the interest of the manufacturer to >have its pianos presented the best way possible? > >I can't tell you how many times I've consulted with clients who are shopping >for pianos and they discounted a certain brand because their initial >reaction was negative. After investigating with the dealer I learned it was >presented without any prep. This happens more often than not despite >Service Bonds, checklists, and factory training. It happens with all >brands. If a dealer can get by without doing a thing to a piano he/she >won't. > >I attend all the classes; I work hard to upgrade my skills. Rarely, do I >get to use them on new pianos that the dealers are prepping or have sold. >What sort of communication goes on between the manufacturers and their >dealers? I admit I'm fairly ignorant to that end of the business. I know >what the manufacturers expect and teach technicians. >jeannie > _____ >From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Mark >Wisner >Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 4:57 AM >To: caut at ptg.org >Subject: Re: [CAUT] Jeanie's brain storm - was Boston changed to dealers... > >You're suggesting manufacturers should have staffing requirements for >dealers? What about a small dealer that doesn't need a full time tech? >And if a dealer didn't hire an approved tech, what should the consequences >be? >Mark Wisner >But the continuing education concept won't do any good unless there is an >incentive for the tech to take the classes. One of the best incentives would >be for the manufactures to require dealers to hire only techs who have >attended a certain number of instruction hours. Although these classes can >be offered at PTG seminars and convention, piano techs do not necessarily >have to be a member of the PTG to be able to take them, just as those who >attend the LRS have to be members of the PTG. It won't have an impact on all >techs, but it will certainly have an impact on the dealers. I recognize that >there are some dealers who hire qualified techs, but if this can become an >industry wide requirement, where all dealers will have to hire "qualified" >techs, it might encourage more techs to take the seminars, especially if >they want to be considered by dealers. >Wim > >-----Original Message----- >From: Mark Wisner <markwisner at earthlink.net> >To: caut at ptg.org >Sent: Sat, Nov 21, 2009 8:02 pm >Subject: [CAUT] Jeanie's brain storm - was Boston changed to dealers... >Jeanie, >Your "brainstorm" is a little like my wife's profession. In order for >Stella to >keep her license valid every year she has to pick up a specific number of >continuing education credits, which she earns by attending classes at any >one of >a number of professional conventions, classes, seminars, etc. >I'm not seriously suggesting we can apply this to PGT at this time, but in a >world where pianos are more important than they are.....what a great way to >increase skills, event attendance, and importance to the "RPT" title. > >Mark Wisner > > > >-----Original Message----- >>From: Diane Hofstetter <dianepianotuner at msn.com> >>Sent: Nov 21, 2009 9:39 PM >>To: College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org> >>Subject: [CAUT] Boston changed to dealers techs mfgrs and other such >> >> >>Jeannie, >> >> I like your "just brainstorming"! It seems with the changes in the >economy it >is becoming essential that the different parts of the piano industry find a >way >to work together and support each other. Someone said on one of these lists >that >one of the manufacturers lost 300 dealerships this year. That adds up to >LOTS >of pianos not sold, and even more tunings that don't need to be done over >the >coming years. And, that's only one manufacturer. >> >>Diane Hofstetter >> >> >> >>Jeannie said: >> In fact, I had >>to turn down one of the Steinway sessions one year because I couldn't >afford >>it. I think it would be a mistake to make it so pricey that even less >>people could attend. >> >>Manufacturer's classes at Conventions and Regional Conferences can be >>documented. Paying a small fee and pre-registering for such a class, or >>series of classes might be doable for many. In the past I've been willing >>to pay $50 or $60 for a special class and might even consider paying more >if >>it would save me the hotel and airfare of going to another facility. >>Attendees could be given some sort of certificate to attest to the fact >that >>they were there. Instructors could actually give feedback as to whether >the >>student was on the right track or needed some additional training. This >>certificate could be requested by dealers if the manufacturers expected >them >>to use such accredited technicians. >> >>Just brain storming... >>jeannie >> >> >> >>Diane Hofstetter >
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC