[pianotech] Spinets

[Ryan Sowers]

Wim lives in Hawaii which is an extreme climate for pianos. Rust, bugs, and
such take their tole in a much more accelerated manner in a situation like
that.

In my climate (Pacific NW) we see many older pianos that have virtually no
rust, with felts and parts in good working condition.

Comparing spinets to large pianos is a bit like comparing a ukulele to a big
body guitar. It's not a fair comparison! A good ukulele can be a lot of fun
and there is much music to be made on them.  A good Irish tin whistle is the
same way!

I have had pianists who could play quite well buy spinets from our shop. I
think some of the technicians who criticize spinets maybe don't even play
the piano.

A nicely tuned, voiced, and regulated spinet is a rare beast indeed. We are
one of the very few shops in the Puget Sound who have them. I have made them
a specialty. When I was starting out I worked in a little shop downtown that
was owned by a blind tech, John Grace. John (an excellent musician, by the
way!) was never intimidated by spinet pianos and he got a kick out of them.
That experience working with him, helped open my mind about these little
beasties.

So for those who hate them, go ahead and bash spinets, and pat yourself on
the back about how you are above such lowly pianos. It just means more work
for me!

Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net

On Sun, Sep 26, 2010 at 9:27 AM, Bill Fritz <pianofritz50 at aol.com> wrote:

> Joe, you said in reply to Wim's comments:
>
> *> Wim,*
> *> I totally disagree.<G>
> > Joe*
> *> *
>  *> Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)*
>
> Could you please explain the basis of your disagreement?
>
> Wim makes a compelling argument.  Inquiring minds want to know...   Bill
> Fritz, StL/PTG
>
>   From: tnrwim at aol.com To: joegarrett at earthlink.net; pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Spinets Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2010 22:47:21 -0400
> (EDT)
>  One of the main problems with spinets is not that they can't be made
> better. It's that for the most part, (there are exceptions), the people who
> own them, got them for free, or for very little money, and don't want to
> spend the money it takes to make them better. Not only that, but often there
> are so many things wrong with them, it's hard to know where to start. Here
> in Hawaii, most spinets are at least 30 - 40 years old, or older, and they
> have rusty stings, worn out actions, crusty dampers, pedals that don't work,
> and cases that look like hell. Where do you start?
>
> It's not that I don't want to make them better, even if a customers
> is willing to spend some money to make it better. But sometimes it's just
> not worth it to make even the most basic of repairs.
>  Wim
>
>
>


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