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APEX Piano Technicians Network

  • 1.  APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Posted 10-20-2019 14:23
    I was recently trading emails with another piano tech and he mentioned APEX Piano Technicians Network (APTN). I was just curious what that might be so I looked it up on the internet and found their webpage. I've read through much of it, but still don't understand what the organization is. On one hand, it sounds sort of like a PTG-like organization. But viewed in another way, it sounds like two piano techs - one in Dayton, Ohio and the other in Nashville, Tennessee - who are in same way the leaders of some sort of "APEX team". What is that? Can anyone better characterize this "organization" for me?

    Quoting from their website:  "In May 2019, Todd and Eric launched the APTN to serve piano technicians worldwide.  They offer a new type of modern trade organization with the local field tech in mind.  They welcome technicians of all skill level and operate the only online mentorship for piano technicians with the option to become a Certified Piano Technician."

    So these two guys are claiming to run some sort of "trade organization", offer some sort of certification and operate an online mentorship. So are they trying to run some sort of school?

    I'm having trouble getting my mind around this one.

    Thanks.

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-20-2019 14:42
    Terry

    from my perspective it looks like a couple of people trying to make money from unsuspecting piano tuners who might not like the PTG because they didn't have the qualifications to pass the exams.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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  • 3.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-21-2019 08:13
    "the only online mentorship for piano technicians with the option to become a Certified Piano Technician."

    That's nice, considering the term "Certified Piano Technician" is utterly meaningless, especially considering they don't divulge their curriculum, testing methods or even what their standards are to achieve the vaunted certification.

    Wim sums it up pretty well. Every communication I've seen from them regarding this new alternative to the PTG was dripping in immature disdain for the PTG and a lack of detail on how or why their network offers a better solution.

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    Adam Schulte-Bukowinski, RPT
    Piano Technician
    Glenn Korff School of Music
    University of Nebraska at Lincoln
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  • 4.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Member
    Posted 10-21-2019 08:57
    I became acquainted with APEX after puchasing and taking the training on one of the tools they sell at another website. As a field tech I found the tool useful in voicing hammers down in a non-traditional way in less than 30 minutes. Since adding this service, most of my customers in the homes and churches were struck by how nice their pianos sounded afterward, not unlike the pianos they hear on the radio. So when APEX approached me with a lifetime membership to their organization, I chose to give a little of my earnings from their tool back to them and joined. Even though I have yet to see this organization come together, I am patient so as not to prematurely pass judgement. I applied for the certification test and although I have not heard back on this I recognize that PTG wasn't up and running in a short time either in our formativ years. A week ago I taught a class at my local PTG chapter meeting entitled  "Thirty More Minutes You Can Bank" demonstrating this tools proper use and how it has since boosted my take home receipts 30 percent on every house call I make and easily converting my custolmers from a basic service call to future full service. The President of the Chapter who also purchased this tool a while back but laid it aside thanked me afterward for bringing attention back to it. I will be ready when APEX has completed their certification process as I will be ready to resume my RPT tests when all the revamp is finished and reay for the 21st Century Piano Technician. I embrace both my peers, most of those reading this with your vast knowledge and expertise as well as those young innovators with new ideas that are proving to help me grow and ultimately produce enhanced customer satisfaction.

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    Kevin Magill
    Williamsburg VA
    757-220-2420
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  • 5.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Member
    Posted 10-21-2019 09:14
    ...and please excuse my misspells. I work with an iPad in the mornings and the virtual keypad it offers leaves a lot to be desired.

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    Kevin Magill
    Williamsburg VA
    757-220-2420
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  • 6.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Posted 10-21-2019 09:25
    you can edit previous posts, a tool I would be sunk without.   or said another way...yoo ken ebit prepious boasts

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    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
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  • 7.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Member
    Posted 10-21-2019 09:38
    Thanks Jim! Just noticed the hidden tool and used it. Now I should not have to worry about being fired as our Chapters Newsletter Editor. Love you guys!

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    Kevin Magill
    Williamsburg VA
    757-220-2420
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  • 8.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Posted 10-21-2019 10:17
    Jim I. wrote: "you can edit previous posts..."

    I was not aware of that. Not that I've ever made a typo, but just in case someone ever asks me how to do it, how does one edit an existing post? I've looked all over and don't see anything to allow me to do that.



    ------------------------------
    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-21-2019 10:58
      |   view attached
    Click the little arrow next to the reply button. 

    Loved reading this thread. Gave me some much needed giggles this AM. You all are awesome. ;-)  :-)

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    Maggie Jusiel
    Athens, WV
    (304)952-8615
    mags@timandmaggie.net
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  • 10.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Posted 10-22-2019 05:44
    Got it Margaret - thanks! The only button I didn't click on.....

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-21-2019 11:22
    I agree with Kevin regarding not passing judgment too quickly. I've spoken with Eric Roberts over the phone about this. His vision is quite impressive, though it is no where near completed at this stage. 

    Is it an alternative to PTG? Maybe. I prefer to think of it as a supplement. APEX's target audience is not the 1 in 4 technicians who are members of PTG. It is the 3 out of 4  piano technicians who are not part of PTG for personal or political reasons. Eric envisions giving them a place where they can train and become better, and in a way, his mission is the same as ours. 

    Will their methods be the same as ours? I don't think so. Does that mean we should be disdainful of them? I don't think so either. I prefer to keep an open mind and see what comes to be. If anything, I think it would be great for us as an organization to come alongside and offer to help where we can.

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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (805) 315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
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  • 12.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-21-2019 15:26

    It's interesting what you say, Ben, that Apex is there for the 3 out of 4 piano technician who don't want to be in PTG for personal or political reasons. Not to long ago I asked on GPI why some people don't belong to PTG. A whole bunch of non members expressed that it was basically for the same reason. They don't think they need the PTG or don't like the politics.  

    What's so ironic about this is that these people will join a very small organization with very limited resources, in the case of Apex, and/or join an online chat group, like GPI, because they want and/or need more information about piano tuning, but won't join what I consider the worlds foremost organization that does just that. And does it better than anyone else.  



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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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  • 13.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-21-2019 17:53
    It's actually probably about 1 out of 3 are PTG members. That would follow the "Rule of Three" that Tim Barnes and the Gazelle team teach. If that's the case, then that means the PTG is dominating the upper third of the market for piano technician training. 

    Realistically, no one can ever net the entire market. If Apex wants to go for those who don't want our third, then great. They can (and should) shoot for their own third of the market. If they manage to get it, then kudos to them! They will at least be providing some training to those who would otherwise not get any.

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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (805) 315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: APEX Piano Technicians Network

    Posted 10-22-2019 06:28
    Benjamin S. wrote: "It is the 3 out of 4  piano technicians who are not part of PTG for personal or political reasons."

    I want to comment on this just in case any of the 3 out of 4 techs who are not PTG members are reading this.

    I've been a member for 20 years (since I started with pianos). I am aware and have heard rumors of a few political past tensions in the PTG. None of that has ever affected me directly. I suppose if one were directly involved in the management of the PTG organization, there would always be risk of being affected by some aspects of that sort of thing - but that's something that is always a risk with any organization with human members. But if one wishes to avoid any little thing like that that might exist from time to time, it's really pretty easy to do. It just doesn't have to be an issue. Never has been for me.

    The only personal reason I can think of to not join the PTG is the monetary cost. Or if one lives in a cave and doesn't have a mailing address I suppose. But as has been discussed many times in this forum, the repayment one gets from PTG membership is many times the cost of membership. I started with the Randy Potter course. Even after 20 years I go back to that course material every once in a while to review something. But even as information-packed as that course material is, the knowledge I get from PTG membership goes WAY beyond even a large source of information like that. Now if only I could go to more conventions than I do rather than go fishing for my one week yearly vacation (I really need to go to more conventions - I've been bad about that the last ten years or so.... - foolish really). Even just reading the PTG Journal every month is so worth the cost of membership. I just find it so very difficult to understand how any piano technician chooses to not join the PTG and have the opportunity to be exposed to all the wonderful educational resources available to members.

    IMHO, it's like wanting to be a surgeon, but not wanting to go to medical school first. And even after medical school, they go to numerous conventions to learn the latest techniques and practices - and read their medical journals. It's the same in most any profession - refrigerator repair, plumbing, tax prep, etc., etc. For 15 years before diving into piano work I was a registered Professional Geologist (hydrogeology) in Michigan and Florida. I was a member of the National Ground Water Association during all that time. Before that I was a member of the National Arborist Association - I climbed trees professionally after getting my BS in forestry - I wanted to be an urban forester. I went to conventions and read my journals religiously. If one wants to be as knowledgeable as one can be, how could you choose not to be a member of the largest resource of information/training available? Perhaps it is not polite to express this opinion, but IMHO, anyone who does not join and participate in an organization like the PTG, NAA or the NGWA cannot be serious about being good at what they do.

    Or they think that they already know everything.

    Okay, end of rant.


    ------------------------------
    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------