How much for Vogue?

[Lance Lafargue]

Compare it with what you see used piano dealers selling in your area. 
Forget your time, quality of your work, etc., and look at what the buyer
will be getting from you versus other available pianos in the area.  I find
myself raising my prices after looking again at what these guys around here
pass off as "refurbished", or "reconditioned", or "refelted" pianos.  
Lance Lafargue, RPT
New Orleans Chapter
Covington, LA.
lafargue@iamerica.net

----------
> From: Glenn <rockymtn@sprynet.com>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: How much for Vogue?
> Date: Friday, August 22, 1997 12:54 AM
> 
> Hello list.  
> 
> The piano that started the whole "soundboard" thread and spin-offs is
about
> to be completed.
> 
> I was looking for a couple of opinions on what I should charge for it. 
It
> is a 1929 VOGUE.  I never heard of it either!  The plate says "Howard
> Moraneous piano co" of Indiana.  It was my first rebuild and I was
assisted
> in most steps by an experienced rebuilder.  Here is what I did and it's
> condition:
> 
> New keytops - plate removed and cleaned up and repainted - soundboard
> cleaned up and sanded and varnished (after all that soundboard advice, I
> varnished it.  Go figure!) One small split in soundboard, not feasible
for
> shim, glued shut-  Bridge cleaned up and few small cracks glued and
checked
> (good) - Complete restringing (old pinblock okay - used longer #4 pins,
> please hold flames for using old pinblock, I know.)  Finish received a
good
> deal of touch up and reconditioning.  Finish is good but does show age
via
> small "character veins" (tiny cracks under top coat).  
> 
> Please hold all flames for rebuild procedure.  This was my first and I
know
> I didn't do everything some of you would do.  Frankly, this is NOT a high
> quality piano.  It has no agraffs and a console style, bass only
sostenuto.
>  It wasn't worth refinishing the cabinet.  I would have probably screwed
up
> the new pinblock and the old one really was in good shape.  The new pins
> are nice and tight.  It is a nice little grand for someone who wants a
step
> up from a console.  A good kids or apartment piano.  It fell into my lap
> and I wasn't prepared for it!  
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Glenn.