chickering square grand general info.

[Farrell]

>From the little bit I know, the value of these things - or at least what some folks will pay for one - seems to vary all over the place. Now, you asked "are these instruments worth rebuilding...". As an instrument, no. As an antique that can double as a pseudo piano (maybe has the instrument potential of a console - although the bass will be better), it can be worth rebuilding. No doubt this one is of good quality and sounds like the case is a real winner.

I am "rebuilding" (or perhaps better stated "serious refurbishing") a square right now in my shop. The owner swears that he has a friend in Kentucky that rebuilds these things and sells them for $7,000 to $10,000. On the one in my shop I plugged the block (1/2" plugs), shimmed the board, refurbished/repaired bridges, refurbish action, new hammers, rescale, restring, complete refinish.

I would not recommend the project for profit, but if someone wants to pay you to do it, I say go for it if you need the work. They sure do make a stunning antique for the right home.

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jay Mercier" <jaymercier@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2002 5:16 AM
Subject: chickering square grand general info.


> A local refinisher calls today and asks how much this piano may be worth.  
> He claims his customer just purchased it from the governor's mansion in PA.  
> It's an 1867 Chickering Square Grand Louis IX or XV, I don't know.  Serial 
> 30726.  I said I had no idea except that other technicians that I know have 
> said to stay away from square grands, as instruments.  The case is 
> exceptionally detailed with "lions heads."  So.... any general comments out 
> there about this? Are these instruments worth rebuilding and if so, are the 
> parts easily available?
> 
> Jay Mercier
> Associate member,
> Twin Cities Chapter PTG
> Glenwood, MN
> 
> 
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