I received a call from a new client, named Gabriel Gerena (see his Youtube Channel – quite a singer!).  He had just purchased a new Young Chang grand (~6′) and it had some nasty sounds in the tone that other techs couldn’t hear or didn’t know how to fix.

I fell into the latter of the two categories.  I could hear what was going on but didn’t know how to fix the tonal issues.  The difference between me and other technicians however is that I knew someone who could DO the work and achieve the result he was looking for.  In this case, although I didn’t make any money, I did refer him to Russell Sorensen one of my mentors in the trade and business of piano service.

What he did was a combination of (1) bedding the key frame, (2) eliminating front rail knocking, (3) fine tuning the unisons, (4) adjusting the strike point, (5) aligning/mating the hammers to the strings, (6) and voicing the hammers themselves.  In addition he adjusted the pedals and removed a sqweak as well as regulated the unicorda (shift) pedal.  In the end Russell was happy as well as Gabriel.

A few days later I asked Gabriel how he  liked the service he received.  Here was his reply, “Amazing!  Night and day.  My recordings sound like a much more expensive piano now!  Can’t thank you enough for the referral!”

So here’s today’s tip:  If you can’t do the job, then refer someone who can – and learn from them!  (That’s what I do at least, and it seems to work out.)

Thanks Russell!