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Joined: Jun 2013
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OP
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What kind of vehicle do you drive to work? A car, van or truck?
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Joined: Jun 2013
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Most of your tools will fit in a tool box. You drive what you can afford. Honestly, if I didn't live where it snowed, I'd buy a backpack, drive a motorcycle and save on gas. I drove a company truck until I started on my own, and the only time I put anything in the back was when I took something (like a bench) back to their shop, where they did full restorations.
Piano Technician, 3 years experience
And why yes, I know I'm a girl!
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Hi Sam, I'd like to thank you for your answers to some of my other questions because they have helped me a lot, and has increased my confidence.
Last edited by PeterGriffin; 06/21/13 04:15 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2013
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No problem. I know how scary it looks out there, especially when all your competition is 30 years older.
Piano Technician, 3 years experience
And why yes, I know I'm a girl!
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 389
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With all the texting and driving wrecks I try to avoid smaller cars
J. Christie Nashville Piano Rescue www.NashvillePianoRescue.comEast Nashville Bowling Green, KY Scottsville KY. Chamber of Commerce Member/Sponsor Putting inspiration in the hands of area musicians Through restoration/renovation
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Joined: Sep 2004
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You may consider the ability to carry an action (grand or an upright on a action cradle) to your or a friend's shop safely. Also, consider room for a portable fold up table as well as your tool kit. Usually a hatchback with folding rear seats of some sort will do.
x-rpt retired ptg member
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Joined: Apr 2010
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You may consider the ability to carry an action (grand or an upright on a action cradle) to your or a friend's shop safely. Also, consider room for a portable fold up table as well as your tool kit. Usually a hatchback with folding rear seats of some sort will do. A valid consideration. However my Hyundai Elantra -- as with just about every other similar car I have had -- does quite well at carrying almost any grand or upright action as a front seat "passenger". One end goes where the passenger's feet would normally go and the other on or just under the headrest. Also, most of these cars have the back seat seatbacks that release, creating contiguous room from the trunk. That being the case, there isn't any piano part I can't carry in my 30+mpg FWD car. Also, I'm able to carry my collapsible piano tilter and enough tools to do whatever needs to be done onsite.
Keith Akins, RPT Piano Technologist USA Distributor for Isaac Cadenza hammers and Profundo Bass Strings Supporting Piano Owners D-I-Y piano tuning and repair editor emeritus of Piano Technicians Journal
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Joined: Jul 2009
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I upgraded to a four wheel drive Chevrolet Colorado last year. I'm a school teacher as my full-time job, and hated just sitting at home on those snow days. Now I can get out and tune a few pianos when I'm off from school. Here's a picture... it gets a lot of attention around town. I'm going to add some more graphics in the rear side windows soon. Yes, there are a couple of errors in the keys. The designer guy I guess cut and pasted to get a piano keyboard to fit the length of the truck. Most people don't notice it. I had already approved the design and had it home for a few days before I noticed. Oh well. LOL
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Joined: Jun 2010
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After having a van for a while I decided that smaller was better for my needs. I considered the risk of getting in an accident with a smaller car and felt the rewards of easy maneuverability, comfort, gas mileage, lower maintenance cost outweighed the risk. Also, a lot of new cars have more airbags than a Mars Lander, which may actually be safer than my van was.
I have a Toyota sedan, which so far has been able to carry everything I've needed to carry.
Last edited by Jbyron; 06/21/13 05:01 PM.
Tuner-Technician
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Joined: Mar 2009
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In rural areas, slough, ruts and shallow creek-crossing called for 4WD here. Had a Ford Explorer.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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My car is a PT Cruiser. My daughter informed me a while back that the PT stands for " Piano Tuner"
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I drive a wagon so that I can load actions and tools easily and safely. Unfortunately, gas mileage could be better, and it is expensive as %$#@ to maintain. When I am ready for my next car, I will probably get an SUV.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Your car is a client's first impression of you and your business. It's my mobile store front. I drive an Acura MDX. It has four wheel drive and enough guts to pull my trailer for occasional piano moves. Being a 2005 I'm thinking about trading it in, though.
When I was visiting Joel and Priscilla Rappaport this past February, Priscilla was enamored with her new Honda Fit. She got the sport model and upgraded the wheels so it looked snazzy. It was getting 38mph on the highway and was very peppy.
The car I'd like to own, however, is a Tesla!
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Joined: Aug 2011
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Ryan, what kind of temperament do you use to tune the keyboard pattern on your truck??
Just got a 2011 Nissan Juke. It's a fun car to drive.
Last edited by Dave B; 06/21/13 07:15 PM.
"Imagine it in all its primatic colorings, its counterpart in our souls - our souls that are great pianos whose strings, of honey and of steel, the divisions of the rainbow set twanging, loosing on the air great novels of adventure!" - William Carlos Williams
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Joined: Sep 2004
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The ideal hatch back should be able to carry tools and an action (it is a struggle but I have done it) and get at least 26mpg on the freeway, and be fun to drive. http://www.pianoworld.com/Uploads/files/myvette002.jpg
x-rpt retired ptg member
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Your car is a client's first impression of you and your business. Uh Oh I drive a lifted 1988 Toyota 4runner and a loud mean looking motorcycle. I wounder what they think!!!
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 376
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I drive a Honda Accord. But even if I could afford an expensive car, I wouldn't drive it to tuning appointments.
Making the world a better sounding place, one piano at a time...
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 356
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Most days I drive my VW Passat. On rare occasions when my wife may need the car, I use my 1958 Chevy pickup (Mater). People usually seem more interested in the truck than my work when I drive up in it.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 543
500 Post Club Member
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Ryan, what kind of temperament do you use to tune the keyboard pattern on your truck?? I tune it to the Unequal Beating Mid-Century Temperament It's quite new. You should see the fingerings for the scales. One has to have 12 fingers to play on it correctly. It was a printers mistake and since I had approved the design, I would probably have to pay for it again. I'm going to just live with it for a while. I'll be more careful to proof better next time. I've only had one person notice it.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 961
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50,000 miles most years. Road vehicle at present is a 2003 Buick LeSaber, in deep Burgundy. 30+ MPG and paid for car!!
MPT(Master Piano Technicians of America) Member AMICA (Automated Musical Instruments Collector's Association) (Subscriber PTG Journal) Piano-Tuner-Rebuilder/Musician www.actionpianoservice.com DEALER Hailun Pianos
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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