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As of two weeks ago, I now own two old pianos. One is a family piano, a Stodart upright, in remarkably decent condition (though it could use a new exterior finish and a lot of new felt!). The other is a Starck baby grand which obviously was left in a dusty storage condition for many years, though now that I've cleaned it up subtantially, it looks to be in relatively good shape, but also needing quite a bit of felt (at minimum), and a good refinishing as well.
I won't be refinishing either anytime soon. I'm more concerned about tone and action at this point before making them look pretty.
I purchased a basic tuning kit about 2 years ago, and also being a guitar player have a good ear for tuning. And learning from my dad as well as reading up on how to tune a piano, I'm getting the hang of it as it no longer takes me 5 hours (more 2.5 hours now). So I'm no expert, but I am willing to learn, and have good mechanical aptitude and a long history of woodworking and model building.
So I know I CAN fix parts of my pianos (and what parts I can't!) as I have fixed straps and some broken hammers/various minor action problems previously, but I don't know the best place(s) to go online to find parts (felt, tuning pins, wire, etc.). I've done a couple searches, and seem to find just a few places, most of which seem overpriced. I say this because when I bought my very basic tuning kit a couple years ago, I recall it was about $30 or $40, now I can't find one for less than $70! None of the felt prices seem unreasonable, but I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction for overall good prices / service / parts. This is a hobby for me now which I'm seriously considering as a part time job and hopefully a full-time gig as I get older, since I'm enjoying doing the work.
Where can I go online to find nice quality piano supplies at reasonable prices with good service?
"Tooner" and "Teck" in Training, to one day become a Tuner and Tech.
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Pianotek ( http://pianoteksupply.com/) and Schaff ( http://www.schaffpiano.com/) are the biggest suppliers I know. Both only sell to piano techs, but that's not a problem.
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"Both only sell to piano techs, but that's not a problem."
So not being a piano tech (yet), how do I make this "not a problem" for what I'm looking to do?
"Tooner" and "Teck" in Training, to one day become a Tuner and Tech.
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International Piano Supply sells to the public. Frank has some supplies here, as well.
Semipro Tech
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magic612, why not become a piano tech? You've got the inclination, the pianos to practice on, and some DIY experience already. The PTG is a great organization. The opportunities to learn are endless, as are the possibilities for giving back to the organization later on. Feel free to contact me through mesapiano.com - I'd be happy to chat with you about this if you have an interest, and answer questions.
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Magic216, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. I work as an engineer 40 hours a week, but love working on my old piano in the evenings and weekends. I too plan on transitioning into piano tech work when I retire in ten years, or perhaps sooner. I'm learning little by little in the interim. You do sound to have the interest and from what I can discern from your post, the potential to do the work. I am not an accomplished piano tech, but I'd say that I'm just a little ahead of where you're at right now. I'll offer what I can. 1) GO SLOW. Yes, I've found there to be so much to learn before doing major repairs. I read, read, read. The more I read, the more I realize that either there were better ways to do what I've done in the past (so far I've worked only on my own piano) or there are better ways to do what I'm planning to do in the future. So many times I thought I knew the obvious way to fix something when I look at it, but now I always research it first and invariably find that there is a better and/or easier way to do it than I thought of. Once you get past the 'techs-only' issues with companies like Schaff, I recommend you get some books on the topic of piano repair. I've gotten and read several books. Easily the best I've run across is the one by Arthur Reblitz. Very clearly written. Easy to understand. I've seldom run across any advice from other piano techs that conflicts with what he writes. He doesn't go into extreme depth in most repairs, but he will provide sufficient information to take care of a large number of minor and medium-scale repairs. 2) The techs on this forum have been very helpful in answering my questions. They seem to be able to distinguish between someone who is inexperienced, but has the potential and drive to become a technician, and someone who is attempting to plow forward with major modifications without knowing what they're doing and is over his/her head. They encourage the former, and discourage the latter. Witness the post 'Felt Softener' which is currently on the opening page of this forum. I've gotten many good suggestions from these generous souls. It is one of the uses of the internet that really works in the way it should. 3) I also highly recommend joining your local branch of the Piano Technicians Guild. See www.ptg.org for more information. Attend the meetings. The piano techs there are just as willing to help. 4) Be aware that in some cases, you'll find conflicting information out there on some topics. Hammer voicing is a good example of this. I'm looking into it now, and every resource I've found on the topic offers techniques which differ significantly from most of the others I've seen and often conflict. How do deal with humidity is another. In those cases, I will discuss it personally with a reputable technician. If that doesn't help, I hold off on that repair until I somehow later attain confidence in what's the best thing to do. 5) I also strongly recommend getting a mentor of somehow. But be careful here as well. I once had a 'mentor', the guy I bought my piano from. As green as I was in piano work at that time, it didn't take long for me to realize that this guy was no pro. I later heard it from other piano techs in the region about him. 6) I petitioned the members of this forum on the topic of becoming a piano tech in retirement. See the thread at http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/3/3105.html#000017 . Why did I take the time to write all this? Well, others on this forum have taken time to help me. It's not often that I find someone greener than myself, so this is a rare opportunity for me to give something back. Good luck, and don't let anyone stop you.
Jerry Viviano V. I. Piano PTG Associate Member
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Roy and BDB - thank you!!! Mark - I sent you an email at your site. Originally posted by Jerry Viviano: 1) GO SLOW. Yes, I've found there to be so much to learn before doing major repairs. I read, read, read. ....I recommend you get some books on the topic of piano repair. I've gotten and read several books. Easily the best I've run across is the one by Arthur Reblitz. My wife works at the local library, and I currently have a copy of that book sitting right in front of me as I type this! I've already read more than half of it (skipping over the regulating section, since I'm a long way off from doing any of that). Believe me, I'll be ordering one of my own of that book sometime in the very near future. Originally posted by Jerry Viviano: 2) The techs on this forum have been very helpful in answering my questions. They seem to be able to distinguish between someone who is inexperienced, but has the potential and drive to become a technician, and someone who is attempting to plow forward with major modifications without knowing what they're doing and is over his/her head. They encourage the former, and discourage the latter. Hopefully they'll view me as the former, and not the latter!!! Originally posted by Jerry Viviano: 5) I also strongly recommend getting a mentor of somehow. But be careful here as well. Fortunately, I have a couple good options here. One, my dad worked with an RPT when he lived in St. Louis. Granted, that's a good 4-5 hours away from me, but this gentleman has offered his help to me in any way possible. So I'm grateful for that (and I can order parts through him, but I don't want to be a pain in the butt for him, either). Also, I've found from ptg.org that there is an RPT that lives about 10 minutes from me, who also sells some very nice instruments. I believe his wife is an RPT as well. As I get further into this, I plan on contacting them at some point to see if I might learn from them also. I did see your post before I posted myself, and was encouraged by your thread. Thank you - I look forward to spending more time here and learning from all of you.
"Tooner" and "Teck" in Training, to one day become a Tuner and Tech.
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Magic - Where did you buy your $40 tuning kit? Ebay? Chuck it and invest in a professional tuning hammer with several tip sizes. If you join PTG and find a mentor this is the first thing he/she will tell you.
x-rpt retired ptg member
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I have a similar interest to learn more. Years ago I purchased some tools and supplies to maintain an old Wurlitzer upright.
I recently purchased for almost nothing (less than $400 delivered) a 1940ish Kimball 5 footer to learn a little more to avoid mucking with my real piano.
Roy123, I am curious about the "no problem" as well?
My main tech has been very encouraging and I have attended a couple of local PTG meetings here. Everyone has been very encouraging.
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Originally posted by Gene Nelson: Magic - Where did you buy your $40 tuning kit? Ebay? Nope - I know it was a piano supply company that I found online. Problem is, that was several years ago, and I can't recall who it was. Might have even been one of the ones mentioned here - I honestly can't remember. Originally posted by Gene Nelson: Chuck it and invest in a professional tuning hammer with several tip sizes. If you join PTG and find a mentor this is the first thing he/she will tell you. I will. It's become a greater interest since I got the baby grand piano recently, so I realize that I'll need to do that at some point.
"Tooner" and "Teck" in Training, to one day become a Tuner and Tech.
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Originally posted by ejsauter: I have a similar interest to learn more. Years ago I purchased some tools and supplies to maintain an old Wurlitzer upright.
I recently purchased for almost nothing (less than $400 delivered) a 1940ish Kimball 5 footer to learn a little more to avoid mucking with my real piano.
Roy123, I am curious about the "no problem" as well? PM to you, also.
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Join the PTG. Hang a shingle (sign). Take out a Doing Business As statement if you don't want to work under your own name. Then technically you are a piano tuner and as there are such a wide variety of skill levels out there in this trade, you probably won't be the worst there is. Now you can buy from the supply houses. It helps if you have a name reference but really there is no license or test or proof required to be a piano technician.
Keith Roberts Keith's Piano Service Hathaway Pines,Ca
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JG
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If Roy is a tech, he should identify himself as one.
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I'm not a PTG member, and even if I were, people who are interested in learning about piano repair have to start somewhere, and learning by doing is so important.
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Sorry, I meant Keith, not Roy. But I guess the same would apply to you Roy, since you seem to agree with Keith.
Yes, people have to start somewhere, but certainly not by hanging out a sign and letting unwary and believing clients pay for the learning and the mistakes made on their own pianos.
There are appropriate places and ways to learn that are don't involve preying on innocent clients. The question gets asked here all the time: "How do I become a piano technician?" Search the archives.
JG
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Guys, Civil discussions of differing viewpoints are great. However, at the moment, I sense something possibly coming on here that would perhaps be better dealt through private messaging. This thread is featured on the front page of the Piano Technician's Forum right now. There are likely lots of eyes looking at it.
Thank you,
Jerry Viviano V. I. Piano PTG Associate Member
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Sorry Jerry, but I have to agree with Jurgen on this one. Though I usually agree with both Keith and Roy in the information they post here, it seems Magic came into possession of these pianos and developed an interest in piano technology about two weeks ago. I make this statement based on what he wrote.
I am not a member of the Guild, but, I have my application and will be mailing it in along with applicable fees this week. But I would never advocate that someone with such limited experience hang a shingle, for the purpose of buying supplies as wholesale costs.
Dang it while I am now on my soapbox, I'm gonna get something off my chest. I do not mean to offend any current or past Guild members. I have been a Technician for almost 24 years now. Some of that time I was doing it part time due to family circumstances, but I have been tuning and repairing either full time or part time since 1984.
When I was a student in piano technology school, we took a field trip to the PTG Convention in Indianapolis. I went to the convention filled with excitement and eagerness to talk to "real" technicians and learn as much as I could. While the classes I took were fantastic, my personal contacts with RPT's and long time members of the Guild gave me a real dose of reality about the business I was getting into. I say "reality" because I have never encounted such ego and arragance in all my life. I considered myself a student; not an authority on anything. It seemed as soon as Tech's saw my "student" ID badge, they began this "down the nose" reaction to me and my fellow students.
As a result of this experience, I developed a real distaste for anything Guild. Thank goodness it now seems, much of the old attitude of Guild members has changed to some degree, and there seems to be more interest in helping people develop an interest in piano technology and help them learn this trade. I hope so. I am not a "thin-skinned" individual, but I will only tolerate so much "ego" in personal interaction.
So, if you stayed with me during this tirade, I strongly urge people with an interest in piano tuning and repair to pursue it to see if that is what they really want to do. I also believe joining the Guild is a good thing. I strongly hope I dont change my mind in the coming weeks. But let's not encourage people with only a passing interest to hang a shingle. If Magic is truly interested, and I hope he is, let him find someone who will maybe help him obtain needed supplies, but not try to pass himself off as a piano technician to supply houses or the general public.
----------------- Ron Alexander Piano Tuner-Technician
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Ron, I wasn't showing agreement or disagreement with either Jurgen's or Keith's viewpoints. My only intent was to promote civility on the public forum.
In the short time I've been participating in this forum, I've seen that both Keith and Jurgen are extremely knowledgeable and helpful RPTs. I have the utmost respect for both of them.
If your concern was that I encouraged magic621 to become a tech, then perhaps there is a misunderstanding. He stated that he is working on 'his' pianos, not others' pianos. This seems to me to be an honorable start into learning the trade. Thank you,
Jerry Viviano V. I. Piano PTG Associate Member
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by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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