Moving Damper Guide Rails

[Farrell]

I agree completely Brian. I would always divulge recommended changes. I have yet to have a Steinway in my shop. I've been fortunate with the couple pianos I have had and have now that the owners were happy for me to make any and all improvements (they are simply trusting my opinions) I can make to their dear pianos.

Another example on this subject is my bicycle. I own a 1998 Rans Stratus recumbent bicycle. I bought it used. The seller touted the improvements he had made to the bike - Maguire hydraulic brakes, half-step gearing, Shimano speed shifters, etc., etc. I am very happy with the bike. I like it more than I would if it were just a stock Stratus. I have changed the tires and a couple other small things. When I meet another recumbent enthusiast, they may say something like "I see you have a Rans Stratus. I have a Stratus also - I've made x, y, z changes to it for whatever reasons" etc. But they always refer to it as a Rans Stratus. Nobody in the bike world would suggest to him or me that we take the Stratus sticker off our bikes because they have been modified.

IMHO, concern over this is a Steinway only thing. It is strictly an artifact of their marketing. And it is a bunch of BS!

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Trout" <brian_trout@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 6:50 PM
Subject: Re: Moving Damper Guide Rails


> Hi Terry,
> 
> Sorry about bringing up a repeat conversation.  I've been gone for a while 
> and missed it the last time.
> 
> I don't do the massive changes without talking to people ahead of time.  And 
> it is entirely up to them what liberties they'll give me.  I won't force my 
> opinions on them, but I will give them my thoughts, and give them options.  
> I figure they own the piano.  Now on my own pianos that are for sale, yes 
> indeed, I'll go crazy with changes and tout them as features for a 
> prospective buyer.  But hopefully, they hear something they like, regardless 
> of a name tag or decal.  As much as it's done in this industry, I rather 
> despise the reliance on any name brand but would rather sell a piano based 
> on it's construction, features and sound quality.  (What a concept!)
> 
> No more beating of this dead horse from me.
> 
> Take care,
> 
> Brian
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> >From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
> >Reply-To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> >To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> >Subject: Re: Moving Damper Guide Rails
> >Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 16:35:25 -0500
> >
> > > Given all that.... do you "put" the Steinway name and decal back the way 
> >you
> > > found it ? Not that I object to basically totally re-designing the
> > > instrument.... but if you do.... how do you justify calling it a 
> >Steinway ?....
> > > It's easily as much a Trout by then eh ?
> >
> >I thought we just went through all that a while back?
> >
> >A 1970 Ford Mustang that has TRW 12:1 pistons, a stroked crank, a Wieand 
> >hi-rise aluminum manifold, a Holley 850 cfm double pumper dual feed 
> >carburetor, Hooker headers, Muncie wide ratio transmission, balanced 
> >driveshaft, 4.88 rear end gears, etc., etc., etc. is still a Ford Mustang.
> >
> >I think the only time we need consider a need for changing the name on a 
> >rewhatevered object is if it goes into full-scale remanufacturing to a set 
> >design and available at some level of large scale. Perhaps like the Shelby 
> >Mustang. Obviously there is some grey area there. And yes, if one were 
> >selling a significantly modified thingee, I feel it would be appropriate to 
> >tell of the modifications - but if it had a manufacturers sticker on it 
> >before, I think generally it is A-ok to put the sticker back.
> >
> >Even Andre Bolduc who says not to change a thing - doesn't he cut a curve 
> >into his soundboard ribs? Gee wizz, isn't that kinda like playing God?
> >
> >IMHO, all this is much ado about nothing.
> >
> >Terry Farrell
> 
> 
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