[CAUT] "this piano is dead" was Re: Tired wippens

[Willem Blees]

It seems I'm being outvoted on this one. But until I get the funds to 
even consider what to do, it's a moot point.

Since this thread got started with wippens, I want to report that I am 
not going to be able to do the work on the balanciers on the D until 
Dec. 7. I will give a report once I'm done.

Wim 





Quoting A440A at aol.com:

> Wim writes:
> 
> << I believe that there comes a time, especially with institutional 
> 
> pianos, that you have to say "this piano has had it". In other words,
> 
> 
> even though it might cost between $20 - 25K to totally rebuild these
> 
> 
> pianos, (new everything, including keys), I don't think it will be as
> 
> 
> good as a new one. At least that's my theory.  >>
> 
> The Steinway Restoration Department loves this idea. They know how
> much they 
> can make off that old carcass and the whole sales pitch of "trade'em
> in on a 
> new one" is designed to support their profit. 
>    $10,000 for a complete action rebuild is everything needed to make
> the 
> instrument perform like a new one, shall I list them? 
> New back action, hammers, shanks, key-bushing, guide rail cloth,
> keyframe 
> cloth, whippens, damper felts, total pedal rebuild, keytops, new
> keyleads, (this 
> is a balanced action I am talking about), let-off buttons, maybe a
> new action 
> rail or two, back-checks, all punchings and the time to assemble and
> regulate. 
> $11,000 for the cost of a new soundboard and block/strings and
> cartage. 
> 
> So, for less than half the price of a new one, what would be the
> difference?  
>      It could actually be cheaper than that.  No need to refinish a
> piano 
> that is going to live in a studio. And as far as a new soundboard, is
> it really 
> necessary for studio piano that will live with its lid down and
> covered up by 
> stacks of sheet music? Maybe just a block and strings if the bridges
> are good. 
> That would take another $6,000 off the price, so you might have $
> 16,000 in a 
> rebuilt M that will play just as well as what is coming out of New
> York right 
> now.   
>      What would serve the school best?  Three completely restored
> pianos or 
> one new one?   If they do decide to get rid of them, us rebuilders
> would love 
> to buy the old ones. 
>      I think it is totally false economy to trade in a Steinway
> rather than 
> rebuild it.  
> Regards, 
> 
> 
> Ed Foote RPT 
> http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
> www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
>  
> 


Willem Blees, RPT
Piano Tuner/Technician
School of Music
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL USA