[pianotech] NY Times article on pianos

[David Love]

As I said, monetary investment.  The other investment issues you mention
(establishment of learning music, scholastic achievement, mental
stability...) are certainly valid reasons to buy a piano--the best reasons,
in fact--but do not necessarily require spending money in excess of the
final value of the thing you are spending on to take advantage of that
opportunity.  

Enough philosophy, my point wasn't that complicated.  You don't buy a piano
(the lay person that is) to make money (investment), you buy a piano for the
enjoyment and hope to keep the costs in line with your level of commitment.
These days, you can buy a very decent piano for less money than it costs to
rebuild an old one.  That's a fact.  Welcome to the 21st century.  In so far
as I make a good part of my living rebuilding old pianos I'm not crazy about
that fact but it is a fact.  Even as a rebuilder who used to buy, rebuild
and sell, buying pianos on spec to rebuild and make money is more and more
difficult as prices drop, the amount of available inventory increases, and
my willingness to work for less doesn't.  At this point, the piano's resale
value which is tied to name recognition (manufacturer's name that is) is a
large factor in making that decision and many good rebuilding opportunities
in terms of potential musical outcomes get passed on because there's not
enough value in the piano to make a reasonable profit and justify it.  

So get over it and get on wit' ya life.  It's too short as it is.  You are
fortunate (as am I) to have customers who are making decisions about
rebuilding their old pianos on other than pure dollars and cents.
Occasionally I do find something that I just can't pass up.  Those are still
sitting in the back of the shop on their sides.  The cobbler's children go
unshod.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Joseph Garrett
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 12:28 PM
To: pianotech
Subject: Re: [pianotech] NY Times article on pianos

David Love said: 
"Buying a piano has never been a good "investment", not monetarily. Well,
except maybe when the rate of inflation hits 20 percent. At least then it
makes it seem like one. Once you drive them off the lot..."

Define "investment".<G> If you are looking at it, strickly, from a financial
standpoint, I'll give you that. However, you cannot put a $ sign on sheer
aesthetic beauty of the furniture designs, the musical beauty, and the
longevity. Name one thing, other than a house, that continues to last as
long, with minimum amount of $ for maintainence? There is none, imo.
(not even the $ invested in your kids!<G>) Not to mention the establisment
of learning music, scholastic achievement, mental stability, (all of which
have been written up in medical journals and such), and a sense of value in
those things of years gone by. As for the dollar values that you put on
"rebuilding"? Everyone needs to realize that you are quoting California
prices, which are unlike any other part of the world.<G> That's my take on
that.
Joe


Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I