Rebuilder's Gallery Pianos

[David Love]

It seems to me that choices for rebuilding have to take into consideration
all those things you mention.  The piano must have enough inherent value as
perceived by the ultimate buying public if you hope to recoup the money
you've speculatively put into the piano.  Even then, margins are not huge.
That isn't to say that in reality you are not by virtue of the design work
adding value to an otherwise less valuable instrument.  Whether you can
convince a buyer of that is another story.  

Other than that, the rim and the plate have to be two key criteria in
deciding whether the piano has potential.  I'm redoing a 6'4" Knabe from the
1920s at the moment and it has a very solid rim and good plate--tremendous
rebuilding potential in those pianos.  With a new soundboard and bridge
design, new key set and action I'm sure it will be a phenomenal piano, much
better than the original and as good as anything with greater fallboard
recognition.  Again, whether a potential buyer will be able to judge the
piano on its own merit remains to be seen.  

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net 
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Bob Hull
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 10:26 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Rebuilder's Gallery Pianos

I am thinking over the Rochester Rebuilder's Gallery
situation and coming up with some questions I would
like to kick around.  These aren't exactly new topics
(are there any?) but I would still like to hear what
you think. 

What brands of pianos were represented?  Steinway,
Overs, Mason & Hamlin and Chickering?  Is this list
right?

Most of the pianos were Steinways. Was this
coincidence?   I thought all of the pianos exhibited a
high level of craftsmanship and sounded great. Thank
you for bringing these fine instruments and for
sharing so freely with us all!  

However, why was there not a greater variety of brands
in the mix?  

Is it due to the high resale value of used Steinways? 
Marketing and fallboarditis? Name recognition?
Is it due to the quality of the original structure
which adds quality also to the result of the rebuild?

Wouldn't it be interesting to see what can be done
with other brands, maybe some that would offer a
greater challenge in bringing about improvements?  

Can you say that a particular aspect (probably one
that is unchangeable) of a piano is the most
determining factor in how well a rebuild will turn
out? Rim quality?  


Bob Hull

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