Usable Lifespan (was Re: Confession time)

[Avery Todd]

Horace & list,

   In relation to this, could I have some input on the necessity of
restringing our Hamburg D recital hall piano. It's now about 14 years old,
and only the top two sections have been restrung (because of excessive
breakage). I feel that it is past time to restring the piano to bring it
back to it's fullest capabilities. This has been our primary performance
instrument ever since before I came here.
   Do y'all agree or disagree that it's past time to restring for a concert
instrument? I've already mentioned it to my boss. He didn't say yes or no,
but he sort of "hemmed and hawed" about it. Of course, he's a violinist.
:-)  Any ammunition would be gratefully accepted. Thanks.

Avery

>People do not like to think of pianos except as icons.  It is difficult, at
>best, to educate them to the idea that every instrument has a usable
>lifespan (for artistic purposes) after which time it must receive either
>major service or be replaced altogether.  Strings, hammers, certain action
>parts simply must be viewed as immediately depreciable, IFF the piano is to
>be in the best condition which its basic construction allows.
>
>Horace

_____________________________________
Avery Todd
Moores School of Music
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-4893
713-743-3226
atodd@uh.edu
http://www.uh.edu/music/
_____________________________________