Gaveau-Paris

[Clyde Hollinger]

Paul,

I would like to respond to the rebuilding part of your post.  As I see
it, the only sad part about this situation is that the piano deserved
much better.  If the client paid only $800 for oversize pins, all new
strings and even a mediocre case refinishing, she got more than her
money's worth, don't you think?  And she admitted she couldn't afford
more than that.  I feel worse for the piano than the client.

Then there is also the possibility that the person who did the work
never claimed to do a complete rebuilding.  Things get twisted.  I've
wondered already, when I told the owner of a cheap spinet that it hold
its tune well, if they don't tell their friends that I said their piano
is good quality.  And I also recall the 25-year-old Kawai grand I
service that desperately needs a new pinblock, but the client is sure
she was told it needs a new soundboard (which has nothing wrong with
it).  Oh well....

Regards,
Clyde Hollinger, RPT
Lititz, PA, USA

Paul Chick wrote:
> 
> List:
> I just tuned a rosewood 4'10" Gaveau grand from Paris #77879. The
> owner told me it has the "insides made by Bosendorfer and the outside
> made by someone else." The veneer work is exquisite! The top is done
> in quartersawn rosewood in a sunburst pattern of at least 3 dozen
> matched pieces. The rim is done in fans of matched rosewood framed and
> repeated. She had it "rebuilt" by someone she could finally afford
> "for about $800.00." Sad. I don't have all the details, but I feel
> badly for the client. The "refinishing" does not do justice to the
> beautiful and talented work of the case maker. The "insides" were not
> replaced, just cleaned with very little regulating, no
> voicing-oversize pins and new strings. I know I'm off on a tangent
> here. I'm sorry. It's maddening to see what people can be told by
> "technicians" with a silver tongue. Anyway. Does anyone have or had
> any experience and background on this piano? I didn't have time to
> explore the "insides" but I'm sure I'll see it again.
> Thanks.
> Paul Chick RPT