[CAUT] Backfire!!

[Joel A. Jones]

Paul,

The replacement parts you are looking to use I agree are
and highly recommend.   However, what is holding you back
from following your piano department head's 'suggestion'?

I think many CAUTs have had this situation.  It's political in
my book, not technical.  No doubt you can make this piano
into a wonderful instrument rivaling any piano in your
inventory.  Take off the fallboard, put tape across  the decal,
do a blind, behind the screen test,  it still does not make a
pianist like the piano any better than before - in my experience.


If you replace the parts why do you think that will light a fire to
rebuild the piano any faster than following the advice of
your piano head?

  My advice;  count the votes, get everyone in the School on the
  same page, and if it's no - it's no.

Joel

Joel Jones, RPT
Madison, WI
On Oct 12, 2007, at 7:53 AM, Paul T Williams wrote:

>
> David,
>
> I am in Lincoln, NE and the nearest rebuilder is southeast of 
> KC...about 3.5 hours!  Richard West took care of this piano for many 
> many years and he and I talk quite a bit.  He says the board and 
> bridges should be replaced, but the head of the piano dept told me 
> "don't put any money into it and sell it!"  Since it isn't a soloist 
> instrument and only used by orchestras, choirs, etc., I may settle 
> somewhere in the middle and replace the action and restring it.  I 
> think I will use Wurzen hammers and Arledge bass strings and at least 
> get it somewhat respected until we can replace it someday.  I doubt 
> very much that the director would approve much more than that. I can 
> guarantee he won't approve a total rebuild.  I'm hoping this will 
> light a fire under his seat to increase efforts to get funding for a 
> new concert instrument.  I'm not a big Baldwin fan and have only come 
> across a couple I would like to have...Some folks really love 
> Baldwins, but unfortunately, non of the piano faculty or grad students 
> do.
>
> We'll see what transpires....
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul
>
>
>
>
> "David Ilvedson" <ilvey at sbcglobal.net>
> Sent by: caut-bounces at ptg.org
>
> 10/10/2007 06:07 PM
> Please respond to
>  ilvey at sbcglobal.net; Please respond to
>  College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>
>
> To
> caut at ptg.org
> cc
> Subject
> Re: [CAUT] Backfire!!
>
>
>
>
>
> Paul,
>
> Have the Baldwin soundboard etc. checked out by the local rebuilder 
> wizard.   Who would that be in your area?   Maybe you?  Where are you 
> located?  Even if it needs a new soundboard and you can't get the 
> money together for that, a complete action rebuild will certainly 
> bring it up to a good rehearsal instrument.   Keeping the D locked up 
> except for concerts can't be bad...Down the road, when funds become 
> available...rebuild the piano...a first class rebuild will turn that 
> into a rival for the D, but the D will still get used more...;-]
>
> Man, I wish I had your problems..David Ilvedson, RPTPacifica, CA 94044
>
> Original messageFrom: "Paul T Williams"  To: caut at ptg.orgReceived: 
> 10/10/2007 6:41:18 AMSubject: [CAUT] Backfire!!
>
> Hi List, Have you ever had one of those days??? In our main concert 
> hall we have a Steinway D and a 1950's Baldwin D.  The Baldwin belongs 
> to the Lied Center for Performing Arts.  They are, but aren't part of 
> the university. This piano has been on "permanent loan" to the 
> university for many years...  Anywho, I commented to the Music 
> Director that the Baldwin is in dire need of major work (all original, 
> I think except for stringing) .I asked him to have the manager of the 
> Lied center to consider investing in it. It needs EVERYTHING!  The 
> manager turns around and gives it to us!  He has no budget and doesn't 
> want it back.  We really don't want it and the director is trying to 
> find funds for a new Steinway (NY or Hamburg).  Nobody likes this 
> piano and faculty pout if they're "forced" to play it.  It's used a 
> lot, but for non-university events held in our hall, so pulling it out 
> of service for major work would be tricky Questions: 1.  Does this 
> piano have potential to be a great instrument? 2.  Is it worth putting 
> thousands of dollars into it? or-  might it be wiser to replace 
> action, restring, etc. just minimal work until funding magically 
> arrives for a new Steinway? 3.  Has anyone else fallen into such a 
> thing? Thanks! Paul T. Williams RPT
>
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