[pianotech] Striving for the "wow" factor, was Re: Exams discussion - Odd?

[Duaine Hechler]

David, right on the nose. Thank you.

Plus, does an old style, non-electronic, player piano really - need - the "wow" factor ?

Duaine

On 05/14/2012 01:46 PM, David Love wrote:
> I don't strive for the wow factor on winter spinets and I think I'm doing my job. There's a practical reality.
> David Love
> www.davidlovepianos.com
> (sent from bb)
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From: * tnrwim at aol.com
> *Sender: * pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
> *Date: *Mon, 14 May 2012 14:43:02 -0400 (EDT)
> *To: *<pianotech at ptg.org>
> *ReplyTo: * pianotech at ptg.org
> *Subject: *[pianotech] Striving for the "wow" factor, was Re: Exams discussion - Odd?
>
>
>     OK, enough with the "wow" factor. Where would you use such tunings ?
>
>     Symphonies, maybe, BUT, the piano is only one instrument in the rest of them.
>
>     For the average Joe like me, that tunes for home owners - who usually new to old
>     beaters, and churches, who almost
>     never, have solos anymore - they are in some sort of a praise band.
>
>     So, the "wow" factor must be for those "elite" customers - who really give a
>     damn about how a piano sounds - Right ?
>
>     Which I would probably refuse to tune for them............
>
>     Just sayin'
>
>     -- 
>     Duaine Hechler
>
> Duaine
> If you're not striving for a "wow" factor when you tune even a Winter spinet or a beat up old upright, then you're not 
> doing your job. As Will said, I tune pianos for my satisfaction. If it makes the customer happy, that's a side 
> benefit. And hopefully she will recommend me to her friends and relatives, because that's how I built my customer 
> base. But if the piano doesn't satisfy my ear, then I've not done a good job. And it's amazing how well even the 
> Winter spinet can sound when it's in tune.
> Now, if you don't care about building a tuning clientele, and all you're interested in is repairing player pianos and 
> pump organs, then that's your choice. But don't degrade those of us for whom tuning is an honored and respected 
> profession, and who take pride in our work.
> Speaking of players and pump organs. I'm glad you're still interested in doing this kind of work, because there are 
> fewer and fewer old player pianos left, and it is a dying profession. As much as the PTG would like to offer more 
> classes and articles on those instruments, like any other product, if there is limited demand, it's not going to get 
> featured. By the same token, while we respect your abilities to do your work, and don't question your reasons for 
> doing it, please respect the work aural tuners do, and don't question, much less degrade, their work.
> Wim


-- 
Duaine Hechler
Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ
Tuning, Servicing&  Rebuilding
Reed Organ Society Member
Florissant, MO 63034
(314) 838-5587
dahechler at att.net
www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com
--
Home&  Business user of Linux - 11 years