to master or not to master

[Maxpiano]

Susan, Frank and Cyrillus,

Since beginning work on pianos in the 1950's, I have been possessed with a
desire to do absolutely the best work possible on pianos, and strive to do so
to this very day.  I find it a very honorable profession, with or without
titles.  Indeed, I worked without any title (except a couple of Bachelors
degrees) until just a few years ago when I could no longer ignore the premium
help and advice I was receiving from members of the Piano Technicians' Guild.
(One reason I waited to join, as long as I did, was that I was finding in
pianos business cards with the PTG logo, placed there by technicians who were
substandard in their craft.  I eventually learned that they did not represent
the usual that PTG has to offer).

I have had to face four facts which will not go away:  1) I am not perfect.
2) Pianos are not perfect.  3) The materials I available to repair them are
not perfect, whether traditional or innovative.  4) I have a family to support
and cannot afford to waste time driving to appointments only to turn down the
work because my standards demand a level of perfection that the customer
cannot or will not afford.  A balance has to be reached somewhere, and I
believe I usually find a good one.

If I can make the repair invisible, I do so (e.g. replace hammer shank with
the hammer perfectly in line with the rest) except that of course the shank
will be a different color, and a replaced string will stand out from shinier
patina.  Repairs must have the possibility of lasting as long as the piano
(not the owner--life is so uncertain) and be done in such a way that if
further work has to be done, I will not be making it more difficult (e.g.
using white glue to reattach pneumatics in a player).

And if a piano is going out of state, I try to determine that it is not going
to North Texas.  I would much rather have my work inspected by Frank or Susan.

Bill Maxim, RPT, B.A., B.Mus
Simpsonville, SC

"A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still"  Flossie
Sellers