Have you noticed?

Now that people know how easy socks can be found there seems to be a major decrease in post like x vs y, what do you think of z and I just played a blah blah blah blah and it is.......

I spend a lot of time on the PW forums (too much probably). I’ve come to the conclusion that, on the piano forum in particular, about 25% of the threads are very educational, 25% are legitimate questions from prospective piano buyers (or sellers), 25% are very entertaining, and the other 25% are promotional in nature or from those with an agenda or an ulterior motive.

Of course, like everyone else, that’s just my opinion. However, the PW forums are still one of my favorite internet sites.

Take care,

Rick

No, but I have noticed that you have new product lines.

How about Walter verticals vs. Irmler verticals? What do you think of Bluthner? BTW, I just played a Haessler and blah, blah, blah.

No one seems to get banned because of this. The easy out now is "someone looked over my shoulder and borrowed my IP to make me look bad."

At least there is the potential for bad publicity. Are you listening there at Carnes Piano and at Petrof.

I wish I could say I've played a Bluthner...but I haven't. Rod, are you a dealer now? Do you have these in stock? Your bi-line says so...?

Rod, sensational news!!

Once you've had time to get them prepped, I hope that you'll consider posting occasional recordings of examples of all your pianos.

FWIW, IMO you've got a great assortment.

Piano*Dad:
This is not exaclty what happened. However!
There is no need for antagonism. Why keep dwelling on it?
I defended my position because I’m free of guilt, I enjoyed the forum as much as you do and also because my identity it is not secret. I offered a public apology on behalf of Carnes Piano and we have taken action on this matter.

I think it is honorable to face the problem after the embarrassment and this is why I’m here. I will rather see gone those COWARDS who take strikes at other members behind a secret identity.

It is very easy to be righteous when people don’t really know who you are and what you do in your private life. I often found out that many of those defiant moralists happened to be some of the most twisted minds you can think of.

I have taken this matter seriously. I respect you and your possible disapproval of the moderator’s decision. If you have something to vent out you can call me any time, ..you know where to find me.
If this is *that* important for you; I'll be glad to offer you my time.

Best Regards,

I do have stock.
I hope it is O.K. to answer with what I have.

I have the Bluthner grand models 2,4 and 6 Those are the 7'8"
6'10" and 6'3"
I also have a model B upright 52"

I also have Irmler Europe grands and uprights.

If you want to check them out, give me a call.

Rod best of luck with your new product line. You have a good product-mix.

Rod that is fantastic that you have picked up Bluthner. Best of luck.

Dan

Well said Kurtmen!!!!!!


Terry

Kurmen is a good guy.

He is not a friend of mine. I only met him once almost 2 years ago at Carnes Piano, but....

I like him and I wish him well. I am glad to see him back on here, he is a professional.

Kurtmen,

I have no animosity toward you personally. My remarks had a point, but they were expressed with humor instead of rancor. The latest Petrof sock discovery simply brought the issue back to mind. Ken decided your case on an individual basis and I accept that. I lost touch with the banning thread so I don't remember seeing a formal Carnes apology from its management, though I'm heartened that you say one was issued.

My point is that at present we really have no mechanism for disciplining sock puppetry other than bad publicity. Catching multiple users on one IP address seemingly cannot be used as evidence of anything any more since we have absolutely no way to refute a person's claim that somebody else used their computer. If we cannot have rules about this, then we rely on personal judgment. But to be fair the judge (or moderator) cannot easily take action in the absence of a confession since there is no way to prove that two posts that originated from the same IP came from the same person. This leads to inaction at best or to a capricious use of moderator power at worst. Ken opted for the best instead of the worst. I don't know what happened at Carnes, and no one else does either. But something unethical did happen. I'm heartened to hear that you do know what happened and that there were repercussions.

I do not know if your use of the 'coward' term for people hiding behind avatars was directed at me. Like Monica, I'm quite well known as an individual here. You can contact me through my web page (it's in my signature) if you wish. I have never hidden behind anonymity.

And another question that maybe you could clear up: You still carry Walter Grands? You'll still stock them or will you just go with the Blüthner line?

If the world were perfectly arranged, we would all have semi-concert grands in our spacious music rooms.

I will always carry the Walter grands and uprights.

I feel very privileged to be able to work with 2 outstanding family run manufactures that are very secure in this market.
The Walter pianos offer a different tonal palette that is distinct from the Bluthner, Haessler and Irmler.

I would never abandon them as I feel they are great pianos.

It will be fun watching people compare the different pianos especially the uprights as I now have quality taller pianos people can compare with.

There will always be X versus Y threads. It's tough to choose pianos especially for parents who have a couple of pianos in mind for their kids and want some help sorting them out.

There will always be 'what do you think of z' threads too for basically the same reasons. Most people don't feel qualified to make the right decision without help.

There will always be 'I just played z and .....' threads because people like to share their impressions of pianos. It is a piano forum after all.

There will always be members who think this is a club and put social affinity above almost everything else. They will less often be found posting on pianos, and more often be found posting prominently on forum rules and punitive sanctions.

Rod,

Congratulations on the new representation, but I think you're rash to generalize in the way you have here. If you had Kurtmen in mind, read his posts. They speak for themselves. There's no flaming, no baiting, no subtle knocks at low-priced brands, no self-promotion, brand promotion, or any kind of promotion. You might well learn something from his example.

Thanks William.

Kurtmen never crossed my mind.
Others brought that up. Don't bring me into that.
I never joined in before and don't want to now.

My point is/was
I think it is good as I think some are being much more careful these days.

Congratulations, Rod on your new line! Its always exciting getting a new line in the store and exploring the nuances, isn't it? (Hope this doesn't cut into your fishing time...)

Bluthners in Vancouver. This is exciting! I've never played one but I'll be in Vancouver next week to play at the Cellar. Look forward to visiting your store!
Adrean

I'd be happy to show you around.

Just like the Walters I am the only stocking dealer for Bluthner in Canada.

Just in case you here on the 14th we have our second concert performed on a model 4.

Info on the Canadian Bluthner web site in upcoming events.
www.bluethner.ca



John Dupuis playing music by Bach, Mozart, Chopin Fauré, Debussy & Schubert.

Date: Saturday, November 14th, 2009
Time: 7:30 pm

Place: Dunbar Lutheran Church
Address: 3491 W. 31 Ave., Vancouver

Tickets at the door.
Adults $20.00 | Students $10.00