[CAUT] Backfire!!

[Ed Sutton]

Paul-

You might contact Rolf von Walthausen for the happy story of the revival of an SD-10 at Interlochen.
Sometimes reality wins!

Ed Sutton
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Joel A. Jones 
  To: College and University Technicians 
  Sent: Friday, October 12, 2007 9:29 AM
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Backfire!!


  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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