Terms

[Richard Brekne]

This sounds interesting... I am wondering about the "belly work" you refer too.
Does this mean the instrument has received a new soundboard ? Would be
interesting to hear a more detailed description of the work done on this
instrument, and what shape it was in to begin with.

PSFInc wrote:

> Jim,
>
> We have done several museum quality restorations around the country. We have
> been currently commissioned to restore John Ringling's 1871 Steinway B
> artcase for the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Once completed it will take
> it's place among the collection of "Rubens" that he personally collected.
> The largest collection in the world.
> The piano itself is rosewood, with marquetry and inlays of gold. The legs
> are lion's paws, quite a site. We have complete the refinishing of the case
> and the gold leafing and are now moving on to the belly work. The piano
> should be in our facility for another 2 months before being returned to the
> Ca D Zan, John Ringling's estate home which is also under renovation. If you
> or another technician would like to see the restoration in progress give us
> a call.
>
> Regards,
>
> Ed Mashburn,RPT
> Piano services of Florida,Inc.
> 941-924-0722
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <JIMRPT@AOL.COM>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2000 10:50 PM
> Subject: Re: Terms
>
> > Re- what??
> > In the final analysis, as in so much else in this business, it is the
> domain
> > of the tech and the customer too decide what any specific re-whatever
> means
> > to them and their contract for the re-whatevering.
> >
> > Definitons are not much help, i.e.,: (AHD)
> > Rebuild-"1. To build again."
> > Restore-"2. To bring back to an original condition:"
> > Refurbish-"To make clean, bright, or fresh again; renovate"
> > Renovate-"1. To restore to an earlier condition, as by repairing or
> > remodeling."
> > Repair-"3. To renew or revitalize."
> >
> >   So you see the meanings of each of these words can be interchangable and
> it
> > doesn't do us well to fulminate ad infinitum over them.
> >
> >  Now don't go saying that PTG has defined these terms cause it ain't
> > needfully so..at least in the context of "rebuild" versus "restore" as has
> > been tossed around these last few days. In the PTG Tech bulletin on
> > "Rebuilding/Reconditioning"
> > it says......."Rebuilding *restores* the piano to original condition or
> > better."
> > Well then y'all if "Rebuilding *restores* to original condition" what the
> > heck do *restoration* do?
> >
> >  Is there a difference between "rebuild" and "restore"...well in my mind
> > there is but this is always guided by the customer. If'n I gots ta use a
> > chisel and maul it gonna cost more than if'n I can use a router...doncha
> > know?? :-)
> >
> >  A museum quality "restoration" (original spec everything) is a very
> > expensive and time intensive project and not one that we as techs are
> likely
> > to run into very often. A true "restoration" in this sense means that if
> the
> > original had hand cut screws or bolts and you did not use hand cut screws
> and
> > bolts to replace those which were unusable from the original you have not
> > done a 'true' restoration. If the dampers of the original came from Merino
> > sheep and the ones you installed did not come from Merino sheep you have
> not
> > done a true "restoration". If you improved the playability in the
> slightest
> > degree from the original you have not done a true "restoration".
> Well.......
> > you get the idea huh?
> >
> >  Has anyone on the list ever truly done a museum quality "restoration" I'd
> be
> > willing to bet not......course it wouldn't be the first time I have been
> > wrong! :-)
> >
> >   So go forth and do good without regard as to which re-? you decide to
> do.
> > My view.
> > Jim Bryant (FL)

--
Richard Brekne
RPT, N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway