I am in my fourth year of this business. I have had my shop going for three years. I have been building the requisite collection of old pianos since day #1. I cleaned out my garage last weekend where I had been storing 4 old uprights. The 1883 Blasius & Sons is from my church and will be rebuilt - that went into the shop. The 1906 Mayfield is soooo big (58"), has a pretty case, and has soooo much room for a Del F.-designed bass bridge, etc., it will be rebuilt - that went into the shop. The 1914 Starr.....well, it has good veneers under the alligatored finish - my son's piano teacher will take it and make a desk out of it (I originally bought this piano to learn tuning on - wasn't even good for that!). My problem comes with the 4th piano in the garage. An 1895 Knabe 54" upright. It has the simple-but-beautiful burled walnut case. The piano needs top-to-bottom rebuilding (and inside and out). It has a moderate amount of apparent termite damage (old - no active termites). Case has a few trim pieces missing. Action frame is wood. 3/4, full-perimeter plate. Separate low tenor bridge. This obviously WAS a very, very nice, high-quality, piano 100 years ago. The termite damage seems to be pushing me over the edge toward tossing it out. I know so well that when you disassemble a termite-bitten object, you will find ten-fold or greater damage within. I have yet to junk my first piano (although I have told many clients to junk theirs!). This is quickly becoming a traumatic experience for me. Will the piano goddess forgive/understand me if I disassemble this old beauty with a sledge hammer? I would at least hang the plate on my shop wall! Would anyone (with a clear conscience) recommend that I keep and rebuild this piano (that is, am I doing the right thing?)? I know these questions sound like they are coming from an amateur, but I think the first time can be difficult for anyone who loves and respects the wonderful world of pianos and the craftspersons who created these fine monuments to music. Terry Farrell
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