Baldwin worth rebuilding?

[Ron Nossaman]

>I have promoted the idea 2 or 3 times that it should
>be rebuilt, but he maintains that he doesn't think
>it's worth rebuilding because he says he doubts it
>would sound very good even after rebuilding.

That depends on whether an honest attempt is made to do it well, or it is 
compromised into mediocrity by arbitrary budgetary restrictions based on 
pre-condemnation of results not yet seen and heard.


>It will be a long wait for a donor to come up with
>80-90 thousand for a new S&S or other 9'.  I have said
>that about $25,000 would get a complete rebuild, with
>new board, bridges and refinishing.

That's about right.


>It has one of the
>bridge designs where the bridge pins are not parallel
>to the stretcher.

That can, and should, be fixed.


>I don't do soundboards or 9's. Is there any reason
>that a quality rebuilder of concert grands couldn't
>turn this beast into a beauty?

None, unless - see above.


>(A couple of
>rebuilders have said they thought it would be a great
>piano after rebuilding but I'd like to hear from other
>cauts. (Same question for a Kawai KG -6C - why not
>rebuild instead of spending so much for a new)
>The amount of money available for new pianos and piano
>maintenance is so tight, wouldn't it be better
>financially to rebuild?
>
>Bob Hull

Yes.

Ron N