Old uprights worth saving?

[Dave Nereson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 7:38 PM
Subject: Re: Old uprights worth saving?


> Actually, once you pop (or cut) the sides off, you have very easy access
to
> the block and soundboard, both for removal and installation - easier than
a
> grand!
>
> Terry Farrell


    I disagree!  How do you mean?  The sides don't just "pop" off!  They're
glued on, and quite securely!  The pinblock does not remove easier than in a
grand, where it just unscrews (except the ones that are doweled into the
sides and/or the front stretcher).  It's glued, in many cases, on 4 or 5
sides out of 6.  And Bolduc's method of drilling a few hundred foot-long
holes around the perimeter is much more work than in a grand, and the bit
and jig are quite expensive!
    What "easy" way do you use to "pop" the sides off and get the old block
out?  I'd be rebuilding almost every old upright I could get my hands on if
those two things weren't such a large undertaking.
    And if you say, "A five-year warranty on a refurbished old upright?
Hmmmmm. I'd be a bit
uncomfortable with a five-minute warranty!", then you must not be all that
enthusiastic about rewhatevering some of them. (?)
     --David Nereson, RPT