| KeyArts Piano & Restoration Piano Sales and Rebuilding Since 1970 281-488-2055 Res / 281-990-8960 Fax |
| PIANO TALES & TIPS |
| PIANO HORROR STORIES THE VANISHING TUNER: An owners piano was "tuned" by a traveling tuner. Three years later another tuner came to tune it. When he attempted to begin he found the action completely missing. When asked, the owner replied, "The other tuner said something was wrong and he took it and never came back". CAUGHT! -NO EXIT: A relative called me to tune her newly purchased upright. When I arrived, I found the pinblock had split and would cost more to repair than the piano was worth. The ironic thing was that I was called by the seller of this piano just a few weeks before to inspect it. When I told her the best thing she could do was take it to the dump, she said she would get back with me...(typical). I told my relative of this and advised her to call the seller, tell her of the situation and request her money back and if necessarry, threaten a civil suit for fraud and triple damages. A check was in the mail shortly with the full amount plus the two move charges, one of which was to the dump. OPPOR-Tunist?: A customer had his piano refinished by a "jackleg" refinisher who knew little about pianos and even less about music. Since he couldn't make it as a car painter, he thought pianos would be an easy way to make money. The finish cracked and began to chip and fall off after about 6 months. I found out that his idea of staining wood was to apply a thick coat of wood stain, let it dry and then spray lacquer over it! As a piano-man he would make a good car painter. BE CAREFUL ..".all that glitters...." To make it just a little sad, he REALLY THINKS he can paint cars! GOD GETS SECOND BEST: Having been called to see a piano and possibly purchase it, I informed the owner that the piano was worthless because of action moisture, pinblock cracks, and a multitude of other problems that would cost at least $2,000 to fix. At that point she said, "Well, I suppose I could give it to the church." When I asked her why she would do that, the answer was, " Well I suppose they could fix it and put it in a sunday school room." I replied that I was sure the church did not want it and that probably God deserved better. Two months later a church called about a newly donated piano. The pastor was shocked to learn the history. As a final insult to his church, the donor was a member and took a tax credit! Moral? Always look a giftpiano in the mouth! Or rather, ask a qualified technician. MR ELEGANT..SO INTELLIGENT: Mr."E" had FOUR parts to his name including a "St." and an "Esq". When spoken, it gave the aura of authenticity, royalty, and noble bearing and "unquestionable knowledge about pianos". This, coupled with an accent, the names and the aura of knowledge far far beyond the understanding of mere owners, enabled him to fast talk a couple of teachers into repalcing damperfelts and hammers to the tune of over $2000 each This was a job that usually costs $600-$900. I was called to correct the shoddy work in the amount of $500 because he would not. After a bit of investigation I found that Mr. "E" only works once for most of his clients...then moves on. JUST A NICE GUY: A really good OLD guy wanted to "pick up a few dollars" and so got a book and learned to tune a little, just enough to charge $40. Yet he could do nothing else. I will admit that I never told him about the many follow up calls I received. I corrected his tunings and did the repairs he couldn't. I charged my regular fees, but the customer eventually paid more for shoddy work.. Shhhhh....I still get work this way because of him. Don't tell....! A WORD TO THE WISE: LET THE BUYER BEWARE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DEALING WITH QUESTIONABLE PIANOS , SHOPS OR PIANO "TECHNICIANS" WHO DO NOT SEEM TO MEASURE UP. Ask the following check list of questions. They may be helpful in separating the wheat from the chaffe. Did you have musical training from an early age. Do you have academic degrees in music, performance, teaching etc. Did you have a lengthy apprenticeship with a qualified shop or technician. (5 years or more.) Are you affilated with professional organizations...AGO, PTG, ASCAP etc. Do you have references from credible musicians, churches, schools, teachers. Do you understand and can you perform all piano services for all makes: This includes: Tuning, Rebuilding, Repairs, Refinish & Moving. |
| QUALITY : THERE ARE FEW THINGS THAT NEED BE SAID ABOUT THIS. PROFESSIONAL QUALITY PIANOS FALL INTO ESSENTIALLY ONE CATEGORY. THEIR NUMBERS ARE FEW. IN THE U.S. THE FOLLOWING MAKES ARE A SURE BET: STEINWAY, BALDWIN, KAWAI, YAMAHA, BOOSENDORFER, IBACH, BECHSTEIN, AND A FEW OTHER IMPORTS ALL HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON. THEY ARE THE FIRST CHOICE OF PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS, LARGE CHURCHES, CONCERT HALLS, CONCERT ARTISTS, UNIVERSITY MUSIC DEPARTMENTS AND SERIOUS TEACHERS. OTHER MAKES SUCH AS KIMBALL, STORY & CLARKE, KNABE AND A FEW OTHERS CAN BE GOOD BUYS AND ARE BETTER THAN THAN STANDARD LOW END COMMERCIAL GRADE INSTRUMENTS. PROFESSIONAL INSTRUMENTS HOWEVER, LAST LONGER, TUNE BETTER, HOLD THEIR VALUE AND ARE A JOY TO PLAY. AS WITH EVERYTHING, QUALITY PIANOS WILL RETAIN THEIR VALUE EVEN AFTER THEIR SIXTH AND SEVENTH DECADES OF USE. INTENDED USE : IT IS SAID THAT A "PRACTICE PIANO" FOR A CONCERT ARTIST IS DIFFERENT THAN THAT OF A BEGINNING STUDENT. IT IS NOT NECESSARRY TO PURCHASE A YAMAHA 7' GRAND TO BEGIN MUSIC LESSONS. HOWEVER IT IS IMPORTANT TO PURCHASE THE BEST INSTRUMENT POSSIBLE TO GIVE THE STUDENT THE BEST CHANCE AT A GOOD MUSICAL START IN PIANO. QUITE GOOD UPRIGHTS, CONSOLES AND STUDIOS THAT ARE EVEN AS OLD AS 70 YEARS OR SO CAN BE ADEQUATE FOR BEGINNERS PROVIDED THE PIANO HAS THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES: Correct tuning pin tightness at A-440 pitch and good key and hammer action with a good tone. A proper bench at the correct height. PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY PIANO SHOULD BE CHECKED BY A QUALIFIED PIANO TECHNICIAN BEFORE PURCHASE TO AVOID BUYING AN INSTRUMENT THAT COULD COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS OR MORE TO MAKE IT FIT FOR STUDENT USE . IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT AND HAVE THE ROOM, GRANDS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS THE BETTER CHOICE . WARRANTIES : ANY REPUTABLE STORE OR SHOP SHOULD GIVE A YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. A PROPERLY PREPARED PIANO SHOULD HAVE FEW PROBLEMS. IF IT DOES THEN IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SOLD IN THE FIRST PLACE. TUNINGS ARE NOT WARRANTIED. HOWEVER, QUALIFIED TUNERS WILL ALWAYS STAND BEHIND THEIR WORK. |