Kranich & Bach

[John Gunderson]

> I must file a dissenting opinion to the opinion quoted below.  I have no
> trouble selling old uprights, after a thorough reconditioning (not rebuilt) for
> $1,000. or more.  After the work has been done, they sound and play
> beautifully, better in fact then many newer pianos costing much more.  I am
> currently working on an old Frederick Loeser & Co., NYC (who ever heard of that
> make?).  The cabinet will be cleaned and rubbed out with antigue oil and steel
> wool, the results can be dramatic and it only takes a few hours to do.  I will
> be replacing keybed felt  and doing a general recondition/regulation of the
> action.  The customer has already contracted the job for $2,000.  To say that
> our old uprights have little value is very short-sighted.  Those uprights that
> we can salvage today will be very valuable in another hundred years and I
> believe that many will still be around at that time.  I can't make the same
> statement about most newer pianos.  As to the question of whether or not
> upright pianos are worth investing in,  only you and your customers can prvide
> the answer.  Everybody is entitled to an opinion.

John Gunderson, Neptune City, NJ

>
>
> Older uprights, especially those over 100 years old are worth virtually
> nothing. Even though the piano is up to pitch, thanks to pianos tuners over
> the last 100 years who have kept it there, (and customers who were diligent
> enough to keep it in tune), and even the though the soundboard is in good
> shape, there are too many other factors involved to make the piano worth more
> than a minimum of $100 - $200. As you said, the case is not great, the bass
> bridge needs to be replaced and the hammer flanges are starting to wear out.
> What's next? The pin block will give out, the treble bridge will deteriorate,
> the hammers will need to be replaced, and the damper felts will become hard.
> By the time you replace all of those parts, or fix them, you're looking at
> buying a 25 year old good quality console or studio, that will last much
> longer than the K&B.
>
> I know, I know, you'll never the get the sound of one of those pianos as you
> can out of the big uprights. But if it won't stay in tune, and play like a
> Mack truck, or a flitting butterfly, is that big sound really worth it?
>
> Willem Blees