Hi gang:

Sadly, Most people Don't want to spend $2000+ to get their pianos fixed
up. Not only that, the worst thing you can do is to sell a player to
someone who doesn't have any mechanical ability as I once did. If you
do, You will end up with a call every time the chain derails.

I rebuilt some years ago a Baldwin Monarch player. This was one of
these rare pianos that was in very good shape. I rebuilt the player,
replaced the bass strings, and that is about it. I sold it for what it
was and told the buyer that I would guarantee the action but not the
piano.  The new owner did not have the piano tuned for six years. And
the pitch really drops. Then he calls a piano tuner who comes along and
pulls it up, Causing the bass bridge to split badly. Of course, I just
think it was age, and not so much the fact that the tuner pulled it up
(unless he tried to pull it up all at once) The owner felt I was responsible
for that bridge. I hate to have anyone angry at me, but I don't like to
be taken either. This gave the tuner the perfect opportunity to badmouth
me and player pianos. Bear in mind that I gave the owner a Baldwin player
reprint which is pretty good. Along with a copy of the Reblitz's rebuilding
book.

Such things as this can make the sale more trouble than it is worth.
The tuners come by and meddle with our work, ruin it and blame
us. The PTG doesn't seem to care about these situations either. Most
"regular" tuners butcher, maladjust, throw out, because of their lack
of understanding of player actions. And we usually get the blame for
something they don't understand.

There are some tuners who really care about players and try not to
ruin them, but won't work on them because they don't feel there is enough
money for the time involved. I have no problem with that.

Another factor that spells doom for a player action is simply the
pianist's ego. Most piano stores cater to their ego, and such a pianist
doesn't want their own piano "showing them up".  So rather than learning
more, they swell up with false pride and want to "do away" with any
performance that will hurt their ego. I have always felt the piano to be
a learning tool and NOT a social step. I've seen some  guest pianists who
would really insult someone's piano because it may lack something they
they think they need. I do play, but I try not to be stuck on myself
about it, because I know that Pete Wendling, if still alive, could come
along and show me how inept I really am :)
                                                    Andy Taylor