non-American participants

[Larry Fisher]

It doesn't surprise me that there are more American participants on this
list than any other area of the world.  From what I've heard, (and I'd like
to hear more) America is one of the few places that rebuilds old pianos.
We're starting to see pianos that are being rebuilt for the third and fourth
time.  More and more is being replaced as the technology to do the job
becomes available to those of us in the field.  I'm curious to know what
other major rebuilders in other parts of the planet are seeing come through
their shops.

What follows is perhaps somewhat a sensitive subject for some people and is
a subject that has been argued over for centuries.

America is the melting pot.  There are lots of nationalities here,
interbred, mixed, blended, and crossed into a hodge podge of people and
therefore we tend not to have the proud chested, upstanding, straight
backed, shoulders retreated stature of a thoroughbred.  There are two areas
of the planet that display what I speak of ....... and I'm sorry for the
analogy, I mean no harm, just a point of observation.

A thoroughbred animal, dogs and horses come to mind, are proud, lively,
somewhat stubborn to train and usually more concerned about themselves than
they are their trainer.  We have a full blooded Norwegian Elk Hound (our
third) that displays the pride of it's blood lines on a minute to minute
basis.  I've heard stories of some thoroughbred horses and their spirited
nature is similar to our dog.

I am half English and half German.  That in itself, I feel gives me the
freedom to speak as I please about the English.  They are as proud as a
thoroughbred can be, along with the Scots, the Irish, the Welsh, and so on.
They have blood lines that sink deep into English history and are reminded
of it on a daily basis as they go from place to place traveling past
buildings built centuries ago (long before Columbus landed here) and land
that has been owned by the same blood lines since before paper was invented.
I can see where this would instill a feeling of self sufficiency, or a
feeling of security that overpowers the need to know, or the need to be
curious.  Old traditions die hard.

I would like the English, the Dutch and the rest of the planet to share
their piano service experiences with me, AND the rest of the list.  The
broader the "think tank", the broader the base for knowledge.  The power of
knowledge can reach far beyond the pride of a bloodline and therefore become
a silent and secret energy source for success.  Barrie and Andre' ( a fine
pair of stately thoroughbreds, no doubt ) have the right idea and if they
haven't already experienced the benefit of THE LIST, they will soon and
their collegues will be envious, if not jealous.

For those of you who think the American domination of the list is unpleasant
in some way, I suggest you get your feet wet and post some information,
observations, proceedures, questions, or sources of materials for us all to
gain from. I rather enjoy hearing how things are around the world in an
industry that I've devoted my life to, ever since my first year of college.
NO MORE EXCUSES, GET OFF YOUR BUTTS, AND GET ON THE LIST!!  We all benefit
when we all participate. Every aspect of every business is becoming more and
more global these days.  We have the unique opportunity to benefit from
input from around the globe and perhaps from other galactic systems, man.
The manufacturing industry could benefit from our observations, worldwide
from right here on this list.  FAR OUT MAN.  TOTALLY GLOBULAR DUDES.  FEEL
THE FORCE.

For those of you who have posted from other countries, on behalf of THE
LIST, I'll express our appreciation for your participation (someone has to)
and look forward to your continued participation in the future.

I'm beginning to feel a bit like the consierge or the matre'd here.  Would
you like smoking or non?  Table or booth?  Your server this evening will be
Tobar and our special is Inuktuk Salmon a la Orange Glaze' for $47.95.  Fax,
phone and internet connections are available with every seating selection.
Right this way if you please.  May I take your coat, and that gun won't be
neccessary here.  I assure you we have an exquisite array of fire power in
the mezzanine.  The purge rooms are on your left as you enter and I'll have
the wine steward visit your table presently (straight away).

Aye, tis a bit strange in here don't you know.

Lar



                                    Larry Fisher RPT
   specialist in players, retrofits, and other complicated stuff
      phone 360-256-2999 or email larryf@pacifier.com
         http://www.pacifier.com/~larryf/ (revised 10/96)