Choice

[David ilvedson]

Well as I said in my post this board had a number of shims 
(well done!).  Would this mean the board was severely 
damaged?  I did not check the crown.  I assume the factory 
set this right.  How can I know if this was indeed factory work? 
The dealer is an idiot and wouldn't show me the documents 
even though I was the hotel's representative.  He would only 
show them to the Hotel.  His reputation is renown.  You need 
an appointment to look at his pianos.  

David I.

Date sent:      	Wed, 15 Dec 1999 23:13:08 +0100
From:           	Richard Brekne <richardb@c2i.net>
To:             	pianotech@ptg.org
Subject:        	Re: Choice
Send reply to:  	pianotech@ptg.org

> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net