Proper Approach? - CA pinblock repairs

[Joe & Penny Goss]

Hi John,
First salvo. <G> "It all begins upon and ends upon the way you look at
things."
The majority of the pianos that I service are old uprights and grands of
little value that will most likely be used only for a few years. To make
costly repairs to such an instrument 
is not what the customer is looking for. 
In most cases a quick repair that will last for a few years and does not
cost more than the piano is worth is what the customer wants.
However, other factors, such as worn out actions that will no longer allow
the student to
play the instrument without frustration discouraging them will lead me to
advise the owner to consider replacement of the instrument.

Joe Goss



 - it's clear to me that *complete* pinblock treatments are an 
> indication that the piano is either ready for restringing or the grave.
It's 
> always good to have a trick up your sleeve for that lone loose pin or
two. But, 
> there comes a point in time when we must be up front with piano owners
and 
> encourage them to replace their piano (preferably with good-quality new)
when 
> it's no longer tunable. Doping a pinblock is merely a bandaid (which will

> inevitably fall off, figuratively speaking) on a larger problem. Why not 
> encourage the proper fix - buy a good-quality new piano - or,
rebuild/restring 
> it?
> 
> Isn't the goal to obtain the best clients and the best pianos, and
promote new 
> piano sales? There are many worthy pianos out there - it's a matter of
what 
> level of excellence you're willing to strive for.
> 
> Fire Away,
>