As a footnote to my comment on piano technician rates several days ago
(Digest 96.12.09, "Do-it-yourself Piano Repair"), I certainly meant no
offense when I said that here on Long Island I found piano technicians
charging less than the people who cut lawns.  This wasn't intended to miff
the professional who earns his rates.  I think the problem is that the
ones I had found were hardly worth the small sum that they were charging.

It appears that this land is full of ill-maintained pianos and
misinformed owners.  This tends to breed the "music-teacher-moonlighting-
as-piano-technician,"  who attempts to get work at a low price after
taking that $400 mail-order course.  The result is usually glue, glue and
more glue -- low quality at low cost.

Like every other trade, a master at his craft can name his price,
especially in a large metropolitan market.  I hope I'm not stepping on
toes when I say that a large portion of the piano technicians'  job is
educating their customers to recognize quality and understand what
premium work entails.  It is surprising that in an age of communications,
consumers seemingly know less and less about quality.

We are in an unusual market position where anyone who wants a piano one
can get a piano, probably for the cost of moving it.  The bitter reality
of the cost of quality repair is often a lesson that is learned the hard way.

Those fortunate enough to make possession of a fine or rare instrument
should consider that future generations will depend on their care of the
instrument.  In many cases this means spending some money to get it fixed
properly.

Unfortunately many owners spend more money maintaining their goldfish
than their pianos.

Ed Gloeggler