Thank you Del. That was a very heartfelt, sensitive response. I believe I will follow it to the letter. I even have a Bechstein grand that is looking for a set of legs - time to turn the old Shopsmith into a lathe? Perhaps. What a dignified transformation into another life. I think the piano Goddess and the Buda would smile on this course of action. Terry Farrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Delwin D Fandrich" <pianobuilders@olynet.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 10:41 AM Subject: Re: Junking 1st Piano Problem > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org> > Sent: September 05, 2001 4:52 AM > Subject: Junking 1st Piano Problem > > > > 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, > > Realizing that this piano could once again be a wonderful musical > instrument--better by far than those shiny black plastic boxes that pass for > upright pianos these days--I still have to weigh in on the side of extensive > modification: > -- The back posts can be modified into bench legs. > -- The case parts can be modified into bench sides, shelves, drawers, > etc. > -- The plate can be modified into wall art or garden art; take your > pick. > -- The keys--after removing any remaining ivory and the capstans > (assuming they are not the old rocker type--can be modified into kindling > wood. > -- The keybed can be modified into a small workbench top. > -- The soundboard, bridges, pinblock, etc, can all be modified into > firewood. > -- Any usable hardware is not destroyed at all, but saved for future > use. You many never use these parts, but it's easier saving (and moving) a > box of parts than it is saving (and moving) a complete piano. Pay particular > attention to those big old screws and bolts. > -- Actions are always a dilemma. Do you take the time to disassemble > them so you can save the parts for future use? Will there ever be any future > use? What are the chances? Or do you just trash it? Years ago I'd have > disassembled it, today I'd trash it. > > It was the termite damage and the missing trim pieces that tipped the > balance. Those, and the wood action frame. It would be wonderful if someone > would come up with a 'universal' action kit that could be used in these old > things. There is no need to exactly duplicate the style of action each of > them had, just the function. And that shouldn't be so hard to do. A basic > stack, a set of adjustable stickers, adjustable brackets, etc.--it could be > done. True, it wouldn't be a job for a beginner, but a reasonably > accomplished rebuilder shouldn't have too much trouble fitting one. It would > make remanufacturing one of these old things a lot more cut and dried. > > As may be, the piano goddess will be understanding only if you modify this > piano. She will get very upset with you if you just destroy it. > > Regards, > > Del >
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