God, David, what a superb answer! That's care. P In a message dated 3/13/2010 7:15:55 P.M. Central Standard Time, davidlovepianos at comcast.net writes: If you are doing this as a spec project figure out a realistic value when it's done (that age and only 85 notes is worth less than a more modern Steinway), figure out the cost to get it there including a new soundboard (if it's the original board it's too old no matter what it looks like), new pinblock/stretcher construction if it's one of those partial plates, finish, case parts, action, moving, cost of selling (commissions). Figure out the value added that you'd like to make on top of just your time (you must have some incentive for the risk you are taking other than just your hourly wage). Add 6% per annum opportunity cost (what you might have earned with the money otherwise that will be tied up for period of time you will be working on it). Subtract the costs from the value and see if there's still a positive number that you can offer and expect a reasonable return. Call Steinway first and see if they want to buy it as a historical record piece and compare. Keep in mind that it's a different market than it was two years ago and the prospects for a change are uncertain, to say the least. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of John Dorr Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 4:40 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] 1880s Steinway Grand - viable project or no? Hi list, I have an opportunity to pick up an 1881 or 1882 6 foot Steinway Grand for restoration. (Serial #47546) It has 85 keys, by the way, and another interesting thing is that the shift pedal moves the keys to the left, to the bass side. The action looks fairly conventional by today's standards. It's in need (mostly) of a complete action rebuild, dampers, a pin block, stringing, and key tops. The case is dinged up a mite, but all there and should be refinished. The scale seems to be very good, judging by my Tunelab tuning curve, and the sustain is pretty good, too. Soundboard has no serious cracks and I did find crown measured in a couple of locations. Downbearing everywhere on each bridge, too. Should I make an offer? I'd be farming out (shipping from Montana) some of the work, but I'd try and tackle a great deal of it myself. whaddaya think? worth a venture? or should I stay away from it? Thanks, John Dorr, RPT Helena, MT -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100313/d63d9bfe/attachment.htm>
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