Antique Pianos

[Richard Moody]

Anne writes..
	"It is impossible to make sweeping generalizations in a complex area
such as this.  Each situation, each piano is different, and education and
knowledge are the keys..... What is clear is, if you aren't sure, ask".....

I will ask, the 1852 Collard & Collard; is this a grand or a square grand?
Has it sat untouched for years and years and thus the original parts are
still intact?  Or have many and massive repairs to the strings action and
keyboard been done over the years.  If by some miracle the most of the parts
appear to be original and not worn but some of the strings are broken or
silk threads (if any) broken or parchment hinges still intact but can't
stand playing, if all of these parts are original then a museum might be
interested in purchasing and conserving it.  
In the museum Ed Sutton mentioned now called the National Music Museum in
Vermillion SD they have several older keyboards mostly before 1830 but the
1852 Collard might be of interest.  Their dream acquisitions are instruments
of performing quality (of their time) with as much original material as
possible. With such a specimen their idea isn't to restore it to playing
condition since conserving it as original as possible will mean more
knowledge of the parts, processes, methods of construction , and design of
its time will be preserved. If it has been repaired, rebuilt, repainted over
the years and this is in the provenance, They might try to restore it to
original condition using new duplicated parts and expect it to be played. 
	I could ask John Koster the conservator if he is interested in some
pictures, or Google National Music Museum, join for  a year's membership
($30) to (55) and ask away.  
	Got any pictures?   
---ric     www.pnotec.com  
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of a.acker at comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 10:15 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Antique Pianos

Stephane,  thanks for soliciting my opinions about how to deal with antique
pianos and their owners and uses.   

I have been too busy to write on this topic, as it is a huge one, and I
correctly presumed there would be heated feelings.  I definitely don't have
the energy to deal with that right now.

This is a topic obviously near and dear to my heart as I make my living
primarily with harpsichords and 18th and 19th century pianos.   As part of
this,  I consult and advise owners as to the choices and implications for
their individual situation and individual instrument.

It is impossible to make sweeping generalizations in a complex area such as
this.  Each situation, each piano is different, and education and knowledge
are the keys.

For example of a need for more knowledge, somebody was remarking about
soundboards turning to dust.   Well, no they really don't.  I have heard 300
year old soundboard which were quite fabulous.  Now, if the instrument has
been stored in a wet barn for 200 of those years and has suffered dramatic
woodworm damage, that is another situation.  

Please note that I am not advocating restoring 300 year old rare instruments
by the prior remark.

Nor am I criticizing the writer, for they are not completely wrong.  Many
early 20th century soundboards are dead and need to be replaced.  This is
rarely true of early and mid 19th century boards for various reasons.   So,
this is simply a matter of more information, more knowledge.

Anyway, there is too much to discuss here and I have no desire to get into
arguments at this time.  I give talks on this topic, and myself and others
are trying to get going panel discussions and educational sessions at the
PTG conventions on this very matter.

What is clear is, if you aren't sure, ask.   Respect the instrument, respect
the owner, respect knowledge.  Don't assume you know everything, for hubris
learns little and makes mistakes.   If you are uncomfortable about an
antique instrument, don't degrade the instrument, refer the owner to
somebody else.   

There is plenty of work out there on non-antique pianos, so why take it on
if you don't really want to?  

Very best regards to all,

Anne