Strange call #4337

[Phil Bondi]

Good Morning.

Basically, I'm just venting right now, so if you don't want to listen, then
please delete.


I got a call yesterday from a woman who has an 'old piano, and we're
thinking of "restoring" it'. Ok..I make an appointment for late yesterday
afternoon.

It's an old piano allright..it looks like a circa 1930ish Wurlitzer Grand,
but there's no markings anywhere..case has been 'painted' (important for
later conversation)..the key cover is the hinged type, similar of Wurlitzer
and I'm sure others in that era.

Anyway, there's a bunch of ivory missing..the pedal lyre is not connected
because the previous mover told her that the holes are stripped out
(yup)..hammers missing..action plays like a Mack truck trying to do 60mph in
2nd gear..we've all seen them.

SO..she says to me.."If this were your piano, what would you do with it?
Ans. - I would restore it from top to bottom..that's what it needs to bring
it back.

.."and we're talking alot of money, right?"
"well, what would be considered alot of money to you, ma'am?"

"$2500."
"..then yes ma'am, we're talking alot of money"

"OK..then what would it take to get it playing again"
(looking for a way out of this one already).."well, you need to fix the
pedal lyre, replace the broken ivory, or think about replacing the ivory
with new keytops.."

"oh NO NO NO..we like it old..just the way it is..we know it's been
painted(black), but we like to keep things as they are".

"..well, if you like to keep things the way they are, and you know the piano
has been painted, then you know that your feelings about keeping things as
they are have been compromised.."

"oh no..that is how the piano was GIVEN to us, and we want to keep it the
same."

"...........ok...............then why are you asking me to 'restore' your
piano?"

"well, we don't really want to restore it (no kidding)..we just want to get
it playing again..what will that cost?"

"$xxx".

"wow, that sounds like alot to get it playing again..it probably hasn't been
played for 20 years..that's how long we've owned it"

(where's that hole I dug for myself?) "..ma'am, I don't like doing 'patch
work', and that's what you're asking me to do..I can do it..I won't like it
much, but your piano will play after I'm done".

"well, thank you very much for informing us about what we have(fire wood).
I'll let my sister know what it will cost to get it playing..it's her
piano..she lives in Missouri".

"you're welcome."

roo(k)