[pianotech] Haynes baby grand

[Rob McCall]

Thanks Joe and Wim,

This piano says "Haynes" on the fallboard so I'm guessing it was an  
attempt to capitalize on the Haines Bros. name. I mentioned to the  
owner that they could have a $2,000 piano right now, they could invest  
$5-10K in it and end up with a $3,000 piano.  She said, "I don't  
care.  I don't want a new piano, this one means too much to me."

I know Joe said to leave the emotion out of it, and generally I think  
that's a good idea, but when the emotional bond runs this deep and  
they're well informed as to the costs and end values, I'm inclined to  
do it for them.

Which brings to mind another question.  She had asked if she could  
help with some of the work. Pulling out tuning pins, strings, etc. I  
know she's not afraid of doing grunt labor...

What is everyone's thought on that?  Would you cut some of the labor  
cost of rebuilding for the owner's sweat equity?  Does this open other  
issues I can't think of right now?

She doesn't want to work on any of the technical stuff, action, etc.,  
she just wants to get her hands dirty and help.  BTW, she helps  
rebuild engines for dragsters with her husband so she has some  
skills...  :-)

Regards,

Rob McCall
Murrieta, CA

On Sep 11, 2009, at 11:14 , wimblees at aol.com wrote:

> Rob
>
> I rebuilt a Haines Bros. a couple of decades ago. It was eventually  
> bought by a local theater company who used it in their rehearsal  
> studio. It wasn't the greatest instrument I had ever done, but it  
> held up nice, and served it's purpose.
>
> Rebuilding a piano like this is not worth what it could possibly  
> bring on the open market. But in this case, if the customer has  
> strong sentimental attachments to it, as long as she understands  
> that for the same amount of money she can buy a brand new instrument  
> in much better condition, go ahead and give her a proposal to do the  
> work.
>
> Wim
>