The Quest for the Ideal Piano Technician Automobile

[Annie Grieshop]

I drive a '99 Ford Ranger (4-door extended cab with a short-bed) and have
found it to be a most admirable vehicle.  A vertical action fits easily in
the passenger seat, although grand actions are better off in the bed (under
the topper and wrapped against dust).  The space behind the seats can hold a
huge mass of tools, parts, and assorted other paraphernalia.

Thanks for pointing out the time lag in heating/cooling a vehicle with more
"cabin" space.  Maybe I won't trade the truck in quite yet....  I was in the
market to trade it for something like a Vibe (looking for improved mileage)
but finally realized that the cash required (in addition to a trade) would
buy at least 2000 gallons of gasoline.  And the truck insurance is much
lower than what I'd pay for a newer, fancier vehicle.

Annie Grieshop
  -----Original Message-----
  From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org]On
Behalf Of David Chadwick
  Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2007 9:44 AM
  To: Pianotech List
  Subject: Re: The Quest for the Ideal Piano Technician Automobile


  Doesn't anyone use a truck for their business? No discussion has been
offered on this type of vehicle. With a model that has space for a jump seat
(04 Chevy. Colorado) behind the driver there is ample room for parts and
repairs items and the truck bed will fit al types of actions. I enjoy the
fact that it only takes a short time to heat or cool the cab space whereas
the Astro Van used to have took a long time to acclimate. Particularly
important in Las Vegas where the temperature in the cab can get close to two
hundred in the summer so the A/C has to work fast. Or, on jobs that are out
of town and where I only need basic tuning tools I'll take the Harley. 55
MPG and the touring bags fit my tools cases nicely. Only a little helmet
hair to fix.

  David C.
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Greg Newell
    To: Pianotech List
    Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2007 5:40 AM
    Subject: Re: The Quest for the Ideal Piano Technician Automobile


    Has anyone tried to simply rent the car they're thinking of buying for a
week or two to see if it works out like they hope?

    Greg Newell

    At 10:02 PM 5/4/2007, you wrote:

      Kurt,

      There was a discussion of this just last month.  Go to the ptg list
archives, select pianotech and then select April.  The subject is car
mileage.

      Have fun.  I think our next one might be a Prius.

      Barbara Richmond, RPT

        ----- Original Message -----

        From: kurt baxter

        To: Pianotech List

        Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 7:57 PM

        Subject: The Quest for the Ideal Piano Technician Automobile


        My beloved VW hatchback (with back seat removed for bountiful action
cradle space)

        is starting to feel its age and 188,000 miles and I am pondering
what I will do when it

        finally goes to the great big salvage yard in the sky...


        In your opinions, what is the all time best suited car for piano
work?

        Including, most vitally:


        ---Easy transport of grand and upright actions

        ---Room for needed tools

        ---Decent gas mileage




        (Also, I was eying a Honda Insight the other day, and was wondering
if

        any ambitious tech out there has tried to fit an action in one of
those

        gasoline sippers... Maybe in the back hatch with the passenger seat

        all the way forward? Am I totally deluding myself?)




        Highly subjective opinions welcome.



         [k]urt










    Greg Newell
    Greg's Piano Forté
    www.gregspianoforte.com
    216-226-3791 (office)
    216-470-8634 (mobile)

    2003,04,05 & 06 winners of
    Angie's List Super Service Award
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