Choice

[Richard Brekne]

Tough call, and I suppose it has a lot to do with how well the old board
is going to hold up, what you personally think of old boards, and how
the customer is going to react to the choice between old and new.

I have heard arguments against old wood, and havent seen anything that I
can say rules out old wood without further comment. I have also heard
some good things about old wood that seem more seductive, tho are
doubtless more...er shall we say "mystic" in character.  Amoung these
are voices expounding upone the ability of wood to "mature" acoustically
over time. I have often wondered if there is something too this. Given a
reasonably good life sequence of seasons it may be that the panel
settles into a more stable, if reduced, crown and that this coupled with
the age of the wood and cell structure has some positive effect. In any
case I have not seen anything that makes me belive this is outright
hogwash. It is true that some old soundboards do sound wonderfull, and
given a decently stable environment last a very long time.

My choice would be influenced by the type of usage and the kind of care
the hotel would be likely to provide for, in addition to a good look at
the climate stability. If these folks are willing to take really good
care of a piano.. I'd recommend the Bechstein hands down. I just love
these pianos. Wonderfully bright sound without all that duplex stuff to
potentially cloud the pictures (at least the new ones are like this). On
the other hand, if it looks like they are going to run roughride on the
instrument, go with a new M&H. They are fine pianos, and new will
definatly hold up under hard use and poor climate longer then the old
Bechstein.

My opinion.  grin

Richard Brekne
I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway

David ilvedson wrote:

> List,
>
> I have a Hotel which just informed they are opening a new
> fancy restaurant.  They want a ebony, high polish seven foot
> grand.  I was sent to look at a Bechstein B, built at the turn of
> the century and restored in the Bechstein factory.  It is
> beautiful!  Those round turned legs.  Here is what was done:
> New Renner action, (The tone is raw like it hasn't been voiced
> or gone over), numerous ivories replaced (well-done but the
> color  match isn't so great) new pinblock, restrung, case and
> plate refinished (fabulous, like a new, hey it is new!).  Here is
> the kicker though, the soundboard was shimmed and repaired,
> refinished and  original bridge.  Shimming work was
> immaculate.  Now they can get a brand new Mason & Hamlin
> BB for same price that the dealer is asking for the Bechstein.
> My advice was to go for the BB rather than take a chance on
> a 100 year old board.  Unfortunately I think the designer is
> going to really love those Bechstein legs.
>
> What do you think?
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA
> ilvey@jps.net