What is about to follow are my perceptions and admittedly may not
be true for everyone.  I find piano technicians to be so fascinating
I have studied them, taking lots of notes.

Most RPTs and other piano technicians do primarily tuning and repairs
in the field.  The biggest weakness of most RPTs as I see it is
mechanical inclination.  I believe most player technicians are more
mechanically inclined than most RPTs.  It doesn't surprise me that
piano rebuilding, most action reconditioning, moving, refinishing and
most repairs are not covered on any PTG tests, with the exception of
a few true or false multiple choice questions on the written test.

Surprisingly, the PTG does not even test voicing.  A big strength of
most RPTs (from my perception) is what I call a good ear.  Passing all
RPT tests says little about a piano technician in the areas not covered
by testing.

As a player technician I am much better equipped to work on older
pianos, both in the field as well as in the shop, than most RPTs.
I believe I can do most piano repairs better and more cost effectively
than most RPTs.  I believe I am a better piano rebuilder, mover and
refinisher than most RPTs.  I have higher energy, am much better
equipped, work more efficiently.  I can finish large jobs in a reasonable
amount of time.

(I would like to specialize more, but my problem is: who can I
recommend or farm the jobs out to?  Are their prices higher than the
value of their work?  Can they even do the work?)

Most piano technicians (RPTs) are more geared towards a musician,
academic and street smart ways of thinking than are player technicians.
Piano technicians do not seem to enjoy thinking mechanically as much as
player technicians do.

I recommend RPTs in my area for concert technician work.  I like to
recommend RPTs for newer pianos and fine voicing work.  RPTs are also
ideal for status conscious customers and other really good musicians.

I think the Piano Technicians Guild is out of touch not only with the
needs of automatic musical instrument owners but with servicing
approaches for the vast majority of piano owners.  I would go as far
as to say they have contempt.  PTG policies are dictated more by the
mentality of most piano technicians who are PTG "big shots" than by
customer needs.

I agree to disagree with most of the PTG views of Mike and some others.
My experience is real to me and your experience is different and that's
okay.

My intention is not to discourage anyone from experiencing the PTG
for themselves.  There are many good people in the PTG.  I found the
PTG to be a great learning opportunity with a much higher percentage
of ill mannered and downright mean people than society in general.
I have been to meetings in five chapters, been to three national
conventions and 6 regional seminars all in the last 13 years.

Bill Maguire