Hi, David I certainly can respect this attitude on your part. However, I do have a little trouble with the idea that new wippens will maintain the classic value of old Steinway pianos. I'm presently working on decreasing an overly heavy touchweight on a Steinway A, after I replaced verdigrised wippens with just lovely looking replacements by Tokiwa. The geometry was right, too. The problem is that they are made of hornbeam, and are too heavy. I think each case has to be decided on its merits. If the originals can be made workable, I think there is a lot to be said for leaving them. They are a part of what the piano is, and were designed for it. Also, if necessary, they can always be replaced later, and maybe better new parts will be available later on. But once the originals are gone, there's no turning back. Unfortunately, with verdigris there is often no choice but to replace. Regards, Susan --------------------------------------------------------------- At 12:16 AM 8/12/98 -0700, David wrote: >List, Jon, Wim, Me, Keith, and Susan ... > >This is an interesting controversy, and one that each must decide for >him/herself. Probably there is no "correct" answer. It reflects our own >personal life's values and agendas. > >I view these classic Steinways in different category from most pianos, >along with the Stradivarius', Rembrandt's, Picasso's, etc - the classic art >of our civilization. These were among the finest pianos ever built, and >should be treated carefully. In my admittedly prejudiced opinion, the >present owners are merely the temporary guardians, and mankind - the owner, >of these treasures. They have the responsibilty to guard their value and >condition. If unable to fulfill their responsibility as a guardian of an >art treasure, they should relinquish their guardianship to another, more >capable individual. Few would have trouble accepting this philosophy in the >case of a classic painting or Stradivarius. From an historical perspective, >this is a well accepted viewpoint. > >Susan, Keith, Jon, I could easily agree with you regarding an ordinary >instrument. But, a Steinway is a special case. > >Some may notice a seeming contradiction in my position - replacing old >whippens with new. I believe that it is correct to replace old, >deteriorated parts with new ones of equal or better quality, in the same >way classic paintings are carefully restored - with "new" paint. > >Regards, >David McCord > > >At 09:43 PM 8/12/98, you wrote: >>List, Jon, Wim, David, Keith ... >> >>I have to agree with Jon and Keith on this one. To me "high standards" take >>your customer's requirements into consideration every step of the way. If >>the old parts can be made to work _well_, or even _as well as the customer >>wishes_, they are definitely the best value for money, and failing to >>explain this and to find out if they will be good enough I feel ignores >>your customer's needs and wishes. >> >>Susan >>------------------------------------------------- >> >>At 08:18 PM 8/12/98 -0700, Jon wrote: >>>>...New parts are not always the answer. >>>> >>>>Jon Page >>>>Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass. (jpage@capecod.net) >>>>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>> >>>>I believe it is a mistake to allow your customers' requirements to define >>>>your standards. If you want to climb the ladder in a craft business, set >>>>high standards. >>>> >>>>David McCord >>> >>>I have to side with Jon on this one. Blanket or wholesale endorsement of >>>replacement of parts is not always the appropriate course. >>> >>>As a crude example: It would make me kind of wonder if a dentist who >>>discovers I have numerous cavities due to extreme neglect and use said, >>>"Yank 'em all 'cause the teeth you were born with aren't worth it." I'd be >>>very suspect of someone who recommended that course of correction until >>>clear evidence was shown it would be in my best interest to let go of the >>>"originals" I was born with. >>> >>>I'd like to keep what I got until it becomes absolutely necessary to >>>replace. Once the originals are gone, there's no turning back. No less >>>with fine pianos. >>> >>>My experience, >>> >>>Keith McGavern >>>kam544@earthlink.net >>>Registered Piano Technician >>>Oklahoma Chapter 731 >>>Piano Technicians Guild >>>USA >>----------------------------------------------------------------- Susan Kline P.O. Box 1651 Philomath, OR 97370 skline@proaxis.com
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC