[pianotech] Gen-u-whine Steinway parts

[jim at grandpianosolutions.com]

Dale I feel your pain.

However, as a point of constructive discussion,  regarding human brains 
in general regarding this problem, I would like to look at this problem 
from a different perspective.  As a disclaimer, I'm sure you know that I 
share your passion for piano rebuilding as the committed pursuit of 
beautiful piano sound. (If it weren't for the possibility of creating 
beautiful sound, I'd probably just be selling life insurance or some 
other yuck-and-a-half.)

But...let me set up a hypothetical scenario, with me as a piano buyer 
(assuming by some amazing stroke of unlikely-ness, I had some serious 
bucks to spend on a real nice piano.)

In this scenario, if had come by enough money to manage a one-time, big 
bucks purchase of a piano, (as in get it right, because I wouldn't be 
able to try again), I could easily see myself majorly conflicted between 
a really fine rebuild and a big name-brand piano purchase.  Being 
brutally honest with myself, in my mind, given the funds to purchase a 
big name brand, I believe I would be conflicted in choosing a rebuild 
over a big name-brand piano despite that fact that the conflict goes 
against my very existence as a life long artisan-craftsperson/musician, 
and despite the fact that I know as a technician how lousy these new 
brand -name pianos sound on the "lot".

Having only one shot at the "right" piano, especially when the 
acquisition of that "right" piano is so central to my experience of 
music, I know that the decision would have a great likelihood of  
creating some base line of disappointment.  And, though its irrational, 
and goes against everything that I know about lousy pianos sounding on 
the big-name piano "lot", the "authority" which brand names acquire 
would tempt me to put my trust in the brand as something larger and more 
authoritative than a single guy in his shop...therefore more likely of 
avoiding disappointment.

My reasoning above is convoluted, irrational, and just plain bulls..t. 
However, I also know this line of thought needs to be countered in the 
working of my own mind.  I pin the conflict on some sort of evolutionary 
detritus, but there it is, despite the fact that it gnaws at the very 
foundations of who I am as an artisan...but...still...it is there if I 
am honest with myself.

I solved this problem by making my own piano. it removes the money from 
the equation, and gives me control over the outcome, as well as tools 
ton overcome shortcomings.

But I cheated.

Customers don't have this control, and are utterly dependent on others 
for the outcome of their quest.

Just some thoughts, as I mull over how one can actually sell a fine 
rebuild, regardless of how excellent the rebuild is, when we all are 
evolutionarily still somewhere at the level of a bloody pickerel.

Jim Ialeggio

-- 
Jim Ialeggio
jim at grandpianosolutions.com
(978) 425-9026
Shirley, MA