[pianotech] Frustrated

[Leslie Bartlett]

You have a unique way of smashing a person much like Gallagher does with his
well known food smasher.  I'm fighting a new pair of hearing aids which are
driving me mad. There seems no sensible fix. Have to talk to my audiologist.
I have a very good reputation as a tuner in the fourth largest city in the
country, thanks.  I had some problems which had me bothered. I really don't
feel you are really in a position to call my issues "pure rubbish" just
because I don't work in the same manner as you.

It may very well be that my problem is using too hard a test blow, pulling
the piano sharp. I consulted Don Mannnino on that with an EX which also took
me four to five hours, and he said that is an issue with some Kawais, and
he's even done it.  So, I'll likely not get it down below 3 hours, but I
don't have to. I do two a day, sometimes three, and social security, and our
very modest monetary expenses don't make me work like a madman.  So, please
lighten up. Thank you.
Leslie Bartlett Piano Service
www.bartlettpianoservice.com        check it out.

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Joseph Garrett
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2013 9:14 PM
To: pianotech
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Frustrated

Les said: 
"I use tune lab. Also have worn hearing aids for ten years, and that slows
me down as well. So how do people bill their time when it runs
substantially over your expected time?
 
> Thanks"
>
> Les,
Hmmm? And, pray tell, why wearing hearing aids "...slow me down"?? That's
pure rubish imo. I wear hearing aids. I have for over 30 years. If
anything, they help to speed me up, because I can hear what I need to hear
instantly, instead of cocking my head, stuffing my head closer to the
string, and a whole lot of such shananigans needed when you can't hear!
Sheesh! That statement is a cop-out imo. Have I ever spent 4-5 hours on a
piano? Yes. One comes to mind: 9 foot Baldwin, "re built", (yeah right!),
and more underfelt friction problems and gawdawful string problems than you
can imagine. I was doing my Mentor a favor for that one. Gave him a big
butt bite afterwards! Never did it again and did refuse the second time
around.<G> The comments about these pianos needing "work" are dead on. If
it gets back to some manufacturing mucky muck, so be it. All manufacturers
have produced crap at some time. None are perfect,..don't think they ever
will be. Most Great Pianos were made that way by Great Technicians in an
After Market situation imo.
Best
Joe


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