Erard Grand Piano

[Clark A Sprague]

I had 
> the opportunity to go and tune an "antique" grand piano today, and 
> going in, that is all I knew.  It took my breath away, and I have 
> been in shock ever since.
>         It turned out to be the most beautiful, ornate (I know that 
> ornate does not a piano make!) piano I have ever had the pleasure to 
> tune.  It was a specially commissioned Erard, circa 1878 (serial # 
> on the soundboard was 60060, signed by Erard).  The entire cabinet 
> was done by a cabinet maker by the name of Savant?  (it was signed 
> on a little brass plaque on the left rim edge).  Apparently it was a 
> custom, specially commissioned piano for the British Embassy, and it 
> had the Royal Seal of Britain on the side of the rim, done in 
> bronze, and a special bronze leaf-like trim all around the case.  
> Near perfect ivories, I didn't inspect the board or bridges too 
> closely, but they appeared at first glance to be serviceable.
>         What I did notice, though, was that it had #1 pins, which 
> were all loose, some worse than others; the strings were showing a 
> little rust, and it had been restrung at one time, as evidenced by 
> the stringing scale written in pencil on the plate,  and the really 
> funky feeling action, with the dampers coming up from under the 
> strings.  No way was I going to pull the action without knowing what 
> I was getting into. The dampers were worn and kind of fuzzy looking, 
> and the hammers were worn, although not too badly.  
>         We got to talking, and the lady told me where she got the 
> piano, showed me the documentation she got with it, and how much she 
> paid for it.  I told her my observations on the condition of the 
> piano, and she asked me how much getting it re-whatever would cost.  
> I told her that you just didn't call Joe the corner Rebuilder for a 
> piano like this, and that I would do some research for her.
>         Like I said, the cabinet is breath-taking (at least it was 
> to me).  What would you recommend?  Who would you recommend?  What 
> kind of differences are there in the action?  It was straight 
> strung, with individual looped strings, ala Bluthner,etc.  If she 
> decided to do a job on it, I could repin, restring, etc,  but what 
> kinds of problems will I encounter?
>         This has been long-winded enough.  I sure would appreciate 
> some advice here.  Maybe there is a job in this for somebody, and 
> she apparently has the money.  Any advice would be appreciated 
> muchly!!
> 
> Clark Sprague, RPT
> Detroit/Windsor Chapter
> Evola Music of Ohio, Toledo