[pianotech] Taking pot shots

[Chuck Behm]

Joe sez: Bruce,
And your point is what?<G> As many Chickering Uprights out there and you
are JUST running into one? And you've been tuning since 1984? Hmmm? AND,
you still don't have those 3 little letters after your name. What's that
all about? Hmmmmmm????
Happy Holidays,
Joe

Hey, Joe - In defense of Bruce, I'd like to point out that the specific
varieties of pianos that a technician runs into can vary greatly depending
on the area of the world that he or she lives in. In metropolitan areas, a
tech will probably see it all over time, but for someone out in the sticks,
what you see depends on what has been sold in the area, especially if you
live in a region that doesn't attract a big influx of outsiders.

For example, here In rural Iowa where I tune I've never once seen a
birdcage action, and I've been in business here since 1974, and have tuned
1000's of different pianos in that time. Steinway uprights (and
Chickerings, for that matter) are as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth. I
do see other brands that have actually been sold locally day in and day
out. If I had a nickle for every Story and Clark I've tuned over the years,
I could take my wife on a cruise.

Any, I'm just saying. . . Lord knows, I'm not trying to pick a fight here
(there's quite enough of that already, thank you), but I do understand
where Bruce is coming from.

While I'm thinking on it, I guess what bothers me is the not so subtle tone
of intimidation which surfaces so often here. I would guess that there are
a lot of less experienced techs who would like to ask questions but who
hesitate for fear of inciting a school yard brawl, or worse, being treated
like a fool.

By the way, there are some of us who don't have those 3 little letters
after their names who do know a bit about piano work. Just because one is
an associate member (or a non-member, for that matter) doesn't mean one is
completely out of the loop.

Anyway, since the "end of the world as we know it" has come and gone and
we're all still here, how about resolving to get along better, and quit
taking pot-shots at each other so often?

I have my doubts that it will ever happen, but just had to ask.  Happy
holidays, everyone.  Chuck Behm
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