[CAUT] To buy New or Rebuilt?

[Jim Busby]

Dennis,

If these  pianos are rebuilt by Ron Nossaman (or Del, Overs, etc.), with his innovations, soundboard design, etc. I'd dare say that they will last LONGER than the brand new ones will! The soundboard design Ron uses is not apt to fail like cc soundboards will. Ron?

Jim Busby BYU

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Dennis Johnson
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 12:38 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: [CAUT] To buy New or Rebuilt?

Hello List-


Our department is preparing for a significant expansion in shortly over year and one of the questions some piano faculty have raised is can completely rebuilt 100 year old Mason & Hamlins or Steinways be expected to hold up in heavy use practice room situations as well as new pianos of similar quality?  My answer was that if the rebuilds include soundboards and bridges or bridge caps, and if generally the piano had not been in a heavy use or abusive environment the past 100 years and the rebuilding work is done to at least a factory standard, if not higher, ..... then yes.  That answer though is qualified by the fact that we don't have real experience to objectively test that theory.  Can any of you offer evidence one way or the other?  How do nicely rebuilt 100 year old pianos hold up side by side with similar new pianos in heavy use situations with climate control?  The working recommendation we currently have is to strive for about 1/3 old rebuilds, 1/3 new Yamaha, and 1/3 new Steinway.   I don't have complete numbers yet, but it sounds like at least 50 additional pianos- probably more.   I also get an expanded shop and some assistance.

Any recommendations much appreciated.

thanks!

Dennis Johnson
St. Olaf College
Music Dept.

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