Marshall Regarding the first question about hammer replacement. While it is good to learn new skills, you also have to recognize your limitations. It's a hard job even for us sighted guys, SO I can immagine it's even more diffilcult if you can't see. I'm not saying you shouldn't try it, but perhaps you ought to consider findign someone to do that for you. When I first got in the business I learned refinishing, But it wasn't too long after I got into it that I realized two things. First, I wasn't very good at it, and second. I hated it. It was dirty and very time consuming. So I decided to farm it out. I found a couple of good refinisher, and relied on them to do the jobs for me. I charged the customers a little more than what the refinisher charged me, and both of us were happy. So perhaps you need to find a couple of technicians in your area who are willing to do the work for you. Find out what they charge for doing the work, and charge a little extra for yourself. As far as the Knabe is concerned. You're talking two different things here. If it needs new hammers and strings, etc., then it needs them. Putting in a humidity control system is not going replace the hammers and strings. It will just make the humidity in the piano more stable. But it will not remove rust, and it will not put felt back on the hammers. On a different note, but with the same customers, a customer will always tell you their sob story about how they can't afford to do the repairs because they have other bills to pay. So what. I've got problems paying my bills, too. but if I want something bad enough, I'll find a way to pay for it. The same with a customer. Give them an estimate to do the work so that you can make money, and then stick to it. Don't lower the price because the customer says she can't afford it. That's her problem. If she wants the work done bad enough, she'll find the money. Wim -----Original Message----- From: Marshall Gisondi <pianotune05 at hotmail.com> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Tue, Jan 8, 2013 3:30 pm Subject: [pianotech] hammers flanges etc Hi William and William, I'm going to check Reblitz as well on this topic of hammer replacement. I'm coming across lots of pianos that iI think could use new hammers ,but will new hammers do any good if the strings are old etc? I find folks out here don't like spending too much money if they don't have to. Also how do you guys account for geting the correct length of the shank when replacing hammers,or do you just replace the heads only? What abouty bore and stroke of the hammer when replacing them? is this something we vision impaired guys can do? Is there a tactile method? When replacing a set I'll have to send the old ones out for duplication correct? I want to start broadiening my skill set. Another thing I ran into is this. I tuned an old Knabe on New Years eve. I needs new strings hammers and other work, but the woman doesn't want to spend money on it of course. she informed that her mortgage went up about 68.00 due to Sandy back in October. So she was asked me if putting in a humidifier wo uld still benefit the piano or would it be best to do the work first and then install the life saver system? I said I'd have to check. I did say that doing the work would be a better route to take first, but I'd check for sure. What are your t h oughts? Thanks Marshall Marshall Gisondi MARSHALL'S PIANO SERVICE 215-510-9400 http://www.phillytuner.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20130108/e07763e3/attachment-0001.htm>
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