>...Kawai Grand (5'8" or something like that -- >26-note bass with 10 monochords, 16 bichords on bass >bridge) with a dead bass section. This piano had >apparently been in a fire. What would you do with the >beast, short of restringing (which it definitely >needs) or junking the piano?... Stephen, List, Don't consider junking a piano just because it's been in a fire (especially a Kawai 5' 8"). It solely depends on the damage that has occurred as a result of the fire as to whether restringing is in order, or just necessary repairs to regain what's lost. Certainly not a judgement call that someone can reasonably make over the Internet. A dead bass section is not the end of a piano's life by any means. As an example, I picked up a small vertical Baldwin piano exposed to fire, smoke and water. There is obvious visual damage from the bass section all the way up to the treble break (rust, corrosion, gunk). The insurance company wrote it off. But appearances can certainly be deceiving. As it turns out, only the single bass strings were actually dead sounding, even though the dualies look atrocious. And the bridges pins, yuck looking. The cabinet was somehow unaffected, and there is no apparent odor from the broil. I have replaced the singles, done several tuning passes, will do key leveling and regulation, and this piano will give many years of useful service. As to how long? One can only guess at such a thing. But junk, no. Once again, it's the extent of the fire damage that is relevent, and that only be determined by the parties involved with an on sight inspection. For now, Keith McGavern Registered Piano Technician Oklahoma Chapter 731 Piano Technicians Guild USA
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