Player rant

[Dean May]

Debbie wrote

I guess my problem is that my mind boggles that two techs, one in the
business here for over 25 years and the other for about 8 were stumped with
this.

 

 

When I first started out I was coming from an engineering background. My
piano training consisted mostly of studying Reblitz and the Schaff catalog.
The piano dealer where I was doing floor tunings occasionally would send me
out to fix warranty type problems. I was surprised to find myself able to
solve some problems that the more experienced tuner couldn't get. 

 

There are lots of tuners out there who do a decent job of tuning and can
change parts. But they either haven't taken the time or they just don't have
the technical aptitude to really learn what makes a piano tick. For them
it's just a black box: push down on the key and the sound comes out the
other end. Turn the pin to adjust the sound. 

 

Now for me the player mechanisms are black boxes. Whenever I see one I cross
two fingers in front of me and back away sloooowly. ;-)

 

Blessings,

 

Dean

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of pianolady50 at peoplepc.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 7:19 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Player rant

 

Okay, I'll clear up a few things.  I started as a piano tech.  I then
branched out to player work.  I love both, have been at both for over ten
years.  At the high point of playerism I was REBUILDING approx. 4 - 5 88
note players and 2 reproducers per year. Throw in a few reed organs to that
mix.  Not to mention regular tuning and piano work. Some of the work was
done in cooperation with another very experienced technician.

 

Now, after a move, and space limitations, I don't do as much full rebuild
work.  However, I am the only tech in the area for player work.  My schedule
for major rebuilds is backlogged well over one year.  I have tried to be a
bit selective in the work with my emphasis tending more towards more unique
instruments.  I rebuilt my first Seeburg aka Western Electric Derby this
past spring.  I was overjoyed.  I had a blast!  

 

Anyway, my point is, it is to me that the other two techs refer all their
player rebuild work.  I assume that each initially felt that this was a
piano problem.  And it was.

 

Soooo,  piano tech X looks at the piano.  Removes the player to see things
better AND STILL doesn't find the problem.  Once that player stack was out
of the way, this was no different than a run of the mill old upright. 

 

And, yes, I'm happy to be the person to save the day.  Unfortunately there
was nothing challenging about it and I like to be challenged.  I understand
that most times things are rather routine. I guess my problem is that my
mind boggles that two techs, one in the business here for over 25 years and
the other for about 8 were stumped with this.

 

Sigh,

Debbie

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