> I must file a dissenting opinion to the opinion quoted below. I have no > trouble selling old uprights, after a thorough reconditioning (not rebuilt) for > $1,000. or more. After the work has been done, they sound and play > beautifully, better in fact then many newer pianos costing much more. I am > currently working on an old Frederick Loeser & Co., NYC (who ever heard of that > make?). The cabinet will be cleaned and rubbed out with antigue oil and steel > wool, the results can be dramatic and it only takes a few hours to do. I will > be replacing keybed felt and doing a general recondition/regulation of the > action. The customer has already contracted the job for $2,000. To say that > our old uprights have little value is very short-sighted. Those uprights that > we can salvage today will be very valuable in another hundred years and I > believe that many will still be around at that time. I can't make the same > statement about most newer pianos. As to the question of whether or not > upright pianos are worth investing in, only you and your customers can prvide > the answer. Everybody is entitled to an opinion. John Gunderson, Neptune City, NJ > > > Older uprights, especially those over 100 years old are worth virtually > nothing. Even though the piano is up to pitch, thanks to pianos tuners over > the last 100 years who have kept it there, (and customers who were diligent > enough to keep it in tune), and even the though the soundboard is in good > shape, there are too many other factors involved to make the piano worth more > than a minimum of $100 - $200. As you said, the case is not great, the bass > bridge needs to be replaced and the hammer flanges are starting to wear out. > What's next? The pin block will give out, the treble bridge will deteriorate, > the hammers will need to be replaced, and the damper felts will become hard. > By the time you replace all of those parts, or fix them, you're looking at > buying a 25 year old good quality console or studio, that will last much > longer than the K&B. > > I know, I know, you'll never the get the sound of one of those pianos as you > can out of the big uprights. But if it won't stay in tune, and play like a > Mack truck, or a flitting butterfly, is that big sound really worth it? > > Willem Blees
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC