Re:

[GOFFProf@aol.com]

In a message dated 95-07-05 00:45:16 EDT, you write:

>I had to laugh... Brad wrote:
>
>>thank you - thank you - thank you
>>
>>al, do ever get threats from your competitors for revealing these
>>trade secrets? by the time i'm through i'll need a "goff" sticker for
>>my hammond :)
>
>My competitors--- Virtually all of the major HAMMOND technicians /
rebuilders
>left in the business know each other.  We regularly refer customers to each
>other, and HIGHLY respect each other's work.  There is more work to do than
>we could possibly complete in three lifetimes!   I have a list of my own
>favorite techs nationwide.
>
>Joey DeFrancesco told me a great story a few years ago.  It seems that while
>he was touring in Florida, he stopped in to see a certain technician /
>soundman's shop.  This guy immediately began badmouthing me personally (as
>well as another veteran HAMMOND tech in California, a friend of both Joey's
>and mine).  Needless to say, Joey was very surprised, called him a few
choice
>names, left the shop never to return, and called me on the phone to tell me
>about it.  I realized that the reason why he was so  upset was because the
>guy had taken cheap shots at his friends. 
>
>I apologized to Joey for the guy's comments.  Although I had talked to him
on
>the phone at his shop in Florida, I had never actually met him, nor
discussed
>any "secret" modifications.  Through other people, I had heard he was a
>reasonably good technician, and a better soundman.  I felt that his comments
>embarassed him as a technician to a very talented professional organist, and
>demeaned our trade.  If the guy had attacked Joey to me, I would have
>defended him first as my friend, then as a very talented professional
>organist.   
>
>TO THE NEWER HAMMOND OWNERS --- If you ask a simple question of your
>prospective organ repairman / technician, and get some nonsense answer that
>you KNOW is ridiculous, hang-up, walk-out, and do whatever is necessary to
>find a real HAMMOND technician.  Ask a long-term HAMMOND organ owner. Many
of
>them can help fix a problem or refer you to someone who can help.  They CARE
>about their classic organs as their most prized possession, and will give
you
>good advice!. 
>
>TRADE SECRETS --- Most of the "trade secrets"  Brad referred to are really
>hard-earned repair tricks and some good-old common sense.  Some have been
>passed down through the years and are really the result of some quick
>thinking by the first HAMMOND techs!
>
>My Dad always felt it was important to teach organ owners as much as
possible
>about their organs. Since his first service call in 1940, he truly believed
>that the more the owner knew, the EASIER his job as the serviceman would be.
> If he was alive today, he would certainly have some strong opinions on the
>new breed of "organ repair experts" cropping up in the phone book.  They're
>"experts" on every make and model of anything resembling an organ or
>keyboard, they tune pianos, and probably can shampoo your rugs or clean the
>chimney, too.  
>
>My own favorite words in these cases are "I don't know."  These regularly
pop
>out when I'm asked to repair a GEM or VISCOUNT keyboard, an old Lowrey or
>Gulbransen organ, and other things that I have no real expertise or interest
>in.  Some of us MIGHT be able to fix them, but there must be competent
repair
>people specializing in these things!  
>
>With the very few HAMMOND technicians left,  what the hell is there to gain
>keeping anything secret?  If any of us wanted to be wealthy, we certainly
>would not be in this business.  I'm sure many of you have similar sentiments
>about your own businesses.  
>
>Brad - thanks again for the nice comments.  My sticker will not make your
>organ any better-- you're already doing a great job!
>
>(It MIGHT make it worth a few bucks more though.... maybe it's the
>gold-leaf...or it's kind of a cult thing...)
>
>Al  :-)