Viennese Grand

[Ronald R Shiflet]

Stan,
	My biggest problem with older instruments is I find that the
parts are worn out.  Often times someone has went to the trouble of
completely refinishing a piano before consulting with a piano
technician.
	All of the things like downbearing, crown, string condition and
soundboard are important but equally important is the condition of the
action and keyboard.  Check the color of the wood.  If it is dark or
heading that way, then they need to know that the wood is becoming
brittle with age and either rebuilding the action or replacing it is
something to be considered.
	Typically, these types of pianos have been sitting around for
ages without use.  It is possible for you to get it running for not much
money and after they get it in their home and really start playing, parts
could start breaking , glue joints failing, flange problems etc.

Ron Shiflet, RPT

On Fri, 30 Aug 1996 14:02:34 -0600 skroeker@MTS.Net (Stan Kroeker)
writes:
>Dear Pianotech Colleagues,
>
>I would appreciate any information and/or advice you may offer
>regarding a
>Viennese grand piano my client wishes to restore.  The piano name is
>Franz
>Oeser (5 feet 6 inches), serial no. 6093 with the following plate
>markings;
>K.K. Priv. PianoForte Fabrik Wien.  The exhibition medallions depicted
>on
>the soundboard decal imply the piano was manufactured after 1898.
>
>Any general comments on the prudence of suggesting major restoration?
>The
>client paid a considerable sum for this <treasure> and intends to use
>it as
>a study instrument.  The soundboard and bridges are remarkably sound
>with
>only minor cracks.  Although I didn't check for the presence of crown,
>there was good downbearing at all points on the bridges.  The strings
>and
>tuning pins, however, are terribly rusty and the pinblock appears to
>have
>been doped.  (This piano has made its way from the maritime provinces
>west
>as far as Calgary and now back to Winnipeg.)    The pitch is 130 cents
>flat.  Is this vintage of piano capable of being tuned to A440?  The
>dampers have been misaligned for so long that no amount of adjustment
>will
>stop the leakage.
>
>If we decide to pursue restoration are there any resources which
>describe
>the peculiarities of regulating these things?
>
>Best regards to all,
>
>Stan M. Kroeker, RPT
>
>Kroeker & Sons Piano Experts
>59 Quiring
>Winnipeg, Manitoba
>Canada   R2G 1Y5
>
>204-669-5881
>
>
>