----- Original Message ----- From: Farrell <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 4:52 AM Subject: Junking 1st Piano Problem > SNIP > 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?)? > Terry Farrell > > Terry, Save what you can. The action, Ivory,pedals etc. Remove that beautiful veneer if you can , save the case parts like the leg turnings and music rack . The key slip is usually solid walnut. I'm not a pack rat by nature but reuse what you can ,give the veneer to a furniture maker and I think there was a journal cover some time ago with a plate half buried and used as an arbor. "A time for every season-----" You know the rest. Tom Driscoll
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