Refinishing

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Stephen W. Stout wrote:

> I received an inquiry as follows on refinishing the following piano,
> from a customer.
> She has a Brambach 4'-8" grand.  1925 year . The finish is walnut and
> splotchy. Alligatored and cracking. " Prunish", and very "dry" faded
> looking.
>
> --------------dated 1-6-98--------------:
>
> "Stephen,
> Before you go farther- it's my understanding that stripping wood (especially
> vat stripping) is very bad for it, and that it can lower the value of antique
> pieces tremendously.  Also I have read that restoring a lacquered finish needs
> to be done with  mineral spirits, cheesecloth and fine steel wool, and lots of
> rubbing.While I realize my piano was not in the best of shape, I would hate to
> spend a lot more money on refinishing that would actually lower it's value.
> Please talk to some antique and piano restorers (not refinishers) and get back
> to me.
> Thanks,
> Susan"
>
> ----------
>
> I have my thoughts about what "antique" represents here.  Could I have
> some comments from you fellow professionals? So as to pass on?
>
> --
> .---------Begin Fingerprint-----------------.
> .4386 C8FC D4F2 E3DD  0677 9C16 4197 5EA9   .
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> Key available from pgp-public-keys@pgp.mit.edu

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You said Brambach, right? Does your customer have any idea of what the musical value of this instrument really is?

Surely for any instrument to have "antique" value it needs to be a good example of its type. Brambach pianos were not.

Shouldn't it be something people are actually trying to acquire, as opposed to trying to get rid of? And shouldn't it be at
least a little bit rare? Again, Brambach's are not.

Refinishing this piano can only make it look somewhat better. It will not affect its performance in any way. It certainly
won't make it worse and, sadly, neither will it make it any better. Not much will. Neither will it appreciably affect its
value. Again, not much will.

-- ddf