The comments have been very interesting on why one joins or drops
membership.  I am probably the newest member, having joined only a
couple of months ago.  I would like to make one suggestion about
reaching new members before I get into why I joined.

I am a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) with the Piano Technicians
Guild.  I had the privilege last week to teach a class on player grand
rebuilding, with the emphasis on the Ampico B.  We also had two RPT's
who offered an all day class on rebuilding the old player uprights.
Their class, as well as mine, had fairly good attendance.  I do not
remember  seeing an advertisement in the PTG Journal promoting the
AMICA.  I know there are some members of both organizations.

I think it would be great to coordinate the two conventions together
sometime as I think it would be a benefit to both organizations.  In
looking at this years convention schedule I see only one day of
classes, the rest of the time looks like play time for those who are
not on the board.

The Piano Technicians Guild, at times, has faced the membership
challenge.  We are always looking for new technicians, especially
younger ones, because many of the long-standing members are retiring
and dying off.  Our average age, I believe, is about 58.  We offer
training at all levels for our members, from beginners to advanced,
at local, regional, and national conferences.  We get a lot of calls
to repair the players, and there are not a large number of who do them.
I have had calls from people living several hundred miles from me,
asking for the name of someone who can repair or rebuild their old
player.

Has AMICA ever thought about offering more training sessions on the
maintenance of these prized instruments?  You might get more interest
from younger people.

Now, to why I joined the AMICA.  I had heard about the organization
many years ago from the man who mentored me in the player piano rebuild
business, Orville Dubie.  He had several players and other automatic
musical instruments.  He passed away several years ago.  Last year
I was asked to rebuild a Knabe Ampico B, both the piano and player
parts.  I had read Larry Givens' book, "Rebuilding the Player Piano",
as well as Arthur Reblitz' book and the service manual so figured
I could do it.

I did make lots of pictures and drawings of the tubing, but that was
not enough.  Some of the tubing was not connected, and the piano had
the subdue switch, which the service manual does not mention.  A friend
suggested that I go online to the AMICA site and other sites to get the
information I needed, including where to get parts that needed replacing.
It was through these various contacts that I was encouraged to join,
which I did.

All of the individuals who I have contacted for information and help
have been very helpful.  I still have a lot of leaks that I have to
solve, but I do have the piano playing, even though it is very soft.
I say a hearty thank you to all who have helped me with this project,
and I will probably asking for more advice before it is returned to its
owner.

Clarence Zeches, RPT, Toccoa, GA
Past President, Atlanta Chapter PTG