Another old player condemned

[richard.ucci@att.net]

You did the right thing, I've done the same on numerous occasions.
Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano
> Out of curiousity, I'd like some opinions related to the advice I gave
> yesterday to a family with an old player (gutted) made by York Piano Company
> (serial # 66413).
> 
> 
> I was asked to come a tune the piano and told there were a few keys not
> working. There are 2 children who play it and one has started at a local
> piano institute.
> 
> I moved the beast away from the wall and the entire piano fell slightly
> backward. There was a block of wood on the back right corner to support the
> missing wheel.
> 
> Upon further inspection: the pinblock was cracked at numerous places, tuning
> pins were loose as a result and had been doped by someone in the past.
> Hammer was broken off on one key, strings were broken, pitch was high at
> some sections and low at others (this seemed odd to me that some would be
> sharp), treble and bass bridges were very cracked up, cabinet finsihed was
> poor and veneer was pulled off at places. Jack springs were missing, I
> noticed a broken Whippen, and if I had continue to look I'm sure I'd have
> found other things.
> 
> After seeing the cracked bridges I asked the owner about its senitmental
> value - they indicated there was not much. I then sugeested that in my
> opinion the piano was not worth the money required to repair and make it
> playable, espcially with one child taking lessons at an institute. She
> seemed relieved to hear this and told me her husband was shocked that she
> wanted to spend anything to even tune it. She also said they had a keyboad
> that the kids would use till they found something else.
> 
> I did not feel I should charge her anything but when pressed suggested $20.
> She indicated taht she thought this was not enough for my time and gas but I
> made the bill out for $20 anyway. When I got home I noticed she wrote the
> check out for $30!
> 
> I plan to send her the a copy of , :How to buy a good used piano" as a
> "thankyou".
> 
> I also mentioned that I'd be happy to check out any piano she might be
> inclined to buy in the future and hoped to be able to conitnue to provide
> tuning and repair business.
> 
> Did I condemn a piano that might have been given a few more years?!
> 
> Jeff Schlaybach - Robesonia, PA
> 
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