Hi A potential customer of mine has a very sentimental Holmes & Son player with water damage.The Water was about a foot over the bottom and It has really warped the soundboard, and loose glue joints everywhere. I told him that he was looking at mucho bucks to rebuild the piano, but he insists that money is no object, the piano was his Grandmothers ect. I can tear it down and reglue the frame, and am capable of all repairs except one, and that is making and installing a new soundboard. Even though I think it will cost far more than the old upright player is worth, The customer is hell bent on rebuilding this old player. I rebuild players, but first the piano needs to be fixed. before anything else is done. So, if this guy has deep pockets, so be it. But, doesn't soundboard replacement take special skill and equiptment? I thought about just removing the damaged area and replacing it, (leaving the ribs) But it's possible that the board no longer has any crown since the ribs has been wet. I am out of my league here! So it there a soundboard person in the house? Andy Taylor
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