Hey Bob----Replies are just my opinions and remembrances.... > What brands of pianos were represented? Steinway, > Overs, Mason & Hamlin and Chickering? Is this list > right? Nope...no Chickering. > > Most of the pianos were Steinways. Was this > coincidence? Nope. >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! You're welcome. It was a blast. > > However, why was there not a greater variety of brands > in the mix? Pure economics, backed by the known quality of the construction. Steinway sells; that's what I'm going to rebuild if I want to sell pianos. The kind of restoration work we do usually is only feasible, cost-wise, to do on a Steinway or M&H because the market acknowledges their value. > > Is it due to the high resale value of used Steinways? Yup. > Marketing and fallboarditis? Name recognition? Yup and yup. > Is it due to the quality of the original structure > which adds quality also to the result of the rebuild? See above; yup. > 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? If you had come to my class, you bad boy, you would know we're attempting to do a "less expensive yet still artisanal" rebuild on good old American brands that have been in Southern California their entire lives and are in original, good condition: i.e., their boards and pinblocks are still good, solid, and useable. Our first one is a 6'3" Steinert grand; we'll do it in August; I'll keep you posted. > > 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? >Thanks Bob Hull Others would know much better than me, but yes---quality of rim, braces, plate; the general quality of the body, the back action, the keyframe. Thank YOU....David Andersen
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