This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment Well, I don't think it is being presented as fait accompli just yet. = Certainly there are obstacles to overcome, the most formidable of which = probably haven't even been thought of yet. But then, when I started = driving it was necessary to change spark plugs and do a complete engine = tune-up every 10,000 or 20,000 miles. The Honda dealer doesn't want to = see the engine of my wife's new CRV for 110,000 miles. Even the oil = changes don't come up but every 10,000 miles. Many of the technologies = we now accept as standard took some considerable amount of time and = effort to develop and bring to a level of 'perfection' that makes them = usable to the masses.=20 And, yes, it will help to get a few piano technicians and/or rebuilders = involved in the thing before too long. I'm reminded of another promising = development that fell by the wayside because knowledgeable piano people = weren't involved in its development early enough: the Currier composite = panel plate piano. The thing presented to the public as a finished = product was untunable! But it could have been. And had it's development = been accompanied by some solid input from the piano technical community = working with Kaman's aerospace engineers I've no doubt it would today = be in common use. There were no major technological hurdles that could = not have been overcome. The instruments presented to the public were so = poorly developed and executed, however, the entire concept -- rather = than its rather pathetic implementation -- was condemned beyond salvage. As may be, whether or not this particular self-tuning technology goes on = to become standard equipment on today's piano -- and I rather doubt that = it will, at least not in the near-term -- it does focus attention on one = aspect of the piano that most of the industry would (and does) rather = like to ignore: tuning stability and the need to periodically retune the = piano.=20 In my opinion if the average piano would hold a musically acceptable = tuning for a even couple of years -- and this is a goal readily = attainable using today's technology -- there would be virtually no = interest in developing a self-tuning device. As it is these devices will = keep coming along and they will be developed and tweaked and one day = either this or another idea not yet thought of will be made to work.=20 Whether we like it or not. Del ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Wimblees@AOL.COM=20 To: pianotech@ptg.org=20 Sent: July 02, 2002 10:07 AM Subject: Re: self tuning piano???? In a message dated 7/2/02 10:25:32 AM Central Daylight Time, = pianobuilders@olynet.com writes:=20 Well, I'll not go on. It's clear that we must trash every new idea = that=20 comes along in this business.=20 Del=20 You make some very good points. I will agree that somewhere down the = road this might be a very good workable contraption, which might = revolutionize the music world. Cars and planes were invented, and it = developed whole new industries. But you just don't walk into a hanger = and get in a plane. You can't even drive a car without a license. Yes, = almost every one knows how to drive, but you have to have some degree of = training. But what this contraption is attempting to do, at this point, = is like asking the run of the mill customer to buy a car with a special = contraption that automatically changes the oil, adjust the timing, and = even clean the spark plugs. If you asked a mechanic about something like = that, they would have the same reaction I have. It isn't that the = invention is useless. I list don't think it is something that should be = sold "over the counter."=20 Wim=20 ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/2f/89/88/70/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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