Les, In regards to your comment about the old O's being superb instruments, we have one here at the school (not a player), #148290 (1911?). The piano is, shall we say, "well" used, but the case is in terrible condition. Compared to about 20 "L's" we have, do you think it would be worth my effort to try and get the money to have it refinished and rebuilt? It's one of the few wood type finishes we have. Most are ebony. My main concern would be the soundboard. It's on it's side right now because it was in such bad shape and in the way in the room where it was located, I just decided to store it, hoping to find a way to do some major work on it so it would at least be usable. At this time, it would be hard enough to come up with the money for refinishing, let alone a new soundboard. And it IS about 85 years old. I don't even have enough shop space to put a piano in, let alone do any real refinishing. At least until our new building is completed, app April, 1997. I'd appreciate any thoughts you have, or ammunition you might give me to use to convince the "powers that be" that it would be worth the investment. I guess I could do one of those "do-it-yourself" refinishing jobs to make it look a "little" better, but damn, I hate the thought of doing that. Any comments from anyone? Outside of "good luck"! Avery Todd, RPT University of Houston atodd@uh.edu
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