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

[Wigent, Donald E]

Don Wigent hear:
I agree,  If the board and block are still good.  I say Restring, clean,

Donrecondission. 

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
A440A at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 8:35 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] "this piano is dead" was Re: Tired wippens

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