john@musselwhite.com writes: << "Snuggles" has been tested, not only by itself but against other brands of fabric softener. Personally I don't use it except in an emergency and then only sparingly. I prefer either steam or Susan's alcohol and water treatment, though Evercleer isn't available in Canada and I make do with vodka.>> Does it not then seem logical that there should be a "Standard of Practice FAQ" where one can learn what is meant by your "and then only sparingly" comment. What does that mean? What kind of emergency would prompt you to use it? HOW do you make do with vodka? It seems like you are more than willing to share your ideas and experience, and I give you great credit for that, so why not a site where one can look up exactly what you personally do, instead of trying to go back and read a year of old back posts, mostly ambiguous. ALSO, - there could be statements in agreement or disagreement with what you do, and why. THEN real progress can be made in "lifting all the boats" or raising the competence level of all. THEN you will have truly added to the art of music, forever. <<I first heard of the "Snuggles" technique at the Steinway factory in NYC where at least some of the Hall tuners carry it with them. Is that not a high enough recommendation?>> NO, - but it goes a long way. Steinway may have different concerns than the average local technician. They may well use excellent short term fixes for problems knowing that the piano gets a new set of hammers twice a year. I tune pianos with hammers 90 years old which will never be replaced. Perhaps the fabric softener that works just great for a month is a liability in a piano that will never get another set of hammers. Has Steinway never been wrong? Seems to me they are not so Teflon coated as they once were. All I suggested is that thought, research and logic be brought to home practices, and that testing and evaluation be done before employing new methods and products. <<We've been discussing methods of hammer hardening and softening here for years. There are many different techniques you can use that vary with the results you're trying to achieve. Is it not better to have an arsenal to work with rather than just one weapon?>> Where then is the site where I can read of your distilled, tried and tested wisdom. If the path to this knowledge is to go back several years and read all the posts up until today, why are you hiding your generously given experience? Where is the agreement from all quarters that you have it right? Where is the proviso from one quarter that warns of hazards if such and such is different from normal? I am advocating for a searchable standard of practice that is generally accepted by competent technicians, so that the rest of us lay technicians can improve their practice. Is that so bad? Bill Simon Phoenix >Bronx cheer, Right back at you, Bill... <g> John John Musselwhite, RPT - Calgary, Alberta Canada http://www.musselwhite.com http://canadianpianopage.com/calgary email: john@musselwhite.com http://www.mp3.com/fatbottom
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