They're out there, but let's try to bring them in the fold

[Farrell]

Dean - I have to respectfully disagree with you here. Your response implies 
that the type of results shown in the photo are acceptable if the piano 
technician is new to the trade. Whereas it often does take several attempts, 
practice, studying, etc. to get to the point where a technician can produce 
acceptable results for certain tasks, from day one, any ethical technician 
should be able to distinguish between acceptable work results and 
unacceptable results. Clearly John's photos show unacceptable results. If a 
technician's skills are such that the work in the photo represents his/her 
skill level, then the ethical tech would sub this work out to a competent 
tech. The piano owner is smart enough to sub the work out (to someone who 
claims to be competent), the tech should be at least that smart/ethical.

There have been numerous times when I have started a project and found that 
a certain step was beyond my skill level. I will either redo the task until 
I get it right, or if I feel I can't (or don't want to learn) do it 
correctly, I have subbed the work out to another technician to get it done 
right. Heck, I have even paid another technician to come into my shop and 
work on a task with me because I was having trouble with it.

And speaking of hammers - that's why God made Wally Brooks!

I have found that nobody knows everything. I certainly don't. But if you can 
observe what the typical new piano looks/plays/sounds like, then you should 
be able to identify whether the results of your work are up to par. IMHO, 
any person who claims to be a piano technician and produces work like that 
shown in the photo should at least be able to identify that his/her results 
are unacceptable. If not, then that person is a real _____________________ 
(insert any derogatory term here you wish).

Like Clint says: "A man has got to know his limits.....".

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
> Come on now, my earliest sets of hammers didn't look that different and I
> have since taken advantage of PTG seminars, journals and Pianotech. 
> Calling
> names doesn't encourage those at their earlier stages of career to stick
> with us to do what you want them to.
>
> Dean May

> -----Original Message-----
> What are they thinking...
> And why don't these piano tooners that advantage of PTG seminars?
>
> Crook or grossly incompetent (light's on, no one home)?
> Jon Page