<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1476" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV>Dear Steve,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If your client is planning to donate the piano to a museum in the future, I would recommend identifying the museum and getting in touch with the curator before doing anything. My understanding (from museum guide training) is that making changes/renovations/modifications in a musical instrument immediately erases its historical value. So if the museum donation is a serious interest, that needs to be checked out. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Best wishes,</DIV> <DIV>Dorrie Bell</DIV> <DIV>Boston, MA</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=shsnyder@sover.net href="mailto:shsnyder@sover.net">Stephen Snyder</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=caut@ptg.org href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">College and University Technicians</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 2/13/2005 9:45:21 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [CAUT] Steinway Style II Grand</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Friends,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks for all of your comments.  I expected a wide variety of opinions.  Here is a little more detail about the piano:  Serial # 26784 It has a full plate with agraffes all the way to the top note.   The soundboard does not go all the way around the rim.  There is a cutoff area with a tensioning bar in the bass section. It is an 85 note keyboard. Tubular action rails with capstan screws not rockers. 2 pedals no sostenuto.  Rosewood case with carved legs similar ro those found on a square grand piano.  Old style damper posts with no screw sockets.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The piano is in a private home.  My  customer would like to restore or preserve the piano for her own use and possibly donate it to a musical organization in the future or perhaps a museum.  My customer is trying to determine whether the piano would be more valuable as an original instrument or a restored instrument.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Here is how I plan to proceed:  1.Talk to Steinway 2. Try and determine if the piano is in original condition.  3. Give my client the pro's and con's of each approach if the piano is determined to be in original condition and proceed from there.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks again for all of your responses.  I'll try and report back when and if my client makes a decision.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Steve</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Stephen Snyder<BR>Registered Piano Technician<BR>342 Scotts Lake Road<BR>Salem, NY 12865<BR>518-854-3888</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>e-mail: <A href="mailto:shsnyder@sover.net">shsnyder@sover.net</A></FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><BR></FONT> </DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>