Restoring old uprights

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Newton Hunt" <nhunt@optonline.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: August 12, 2001 7:03 AM
Subject: Re: Restoring old uprights


> Yes you can, but, is the piano worth the time and energy?  Some old
uprights
> were magnificent instruments, better than what is affordable today, but
some
> were the cheap stuff like you can buy now.  The old ones like Steinways,
Masons,
> Bush & Lane, and many others were first class pianos.  Many of the others
like
> Gulbrensen, as an example, were cheap then and are worthless today.

Well, now, Newton. Have you ever actually rebuilt one of those old cheap,
worthless Gulbransen uprights? I have. Now, admittedly, the original design
and workmanship doesn't come close to that of the Bush & Lane--nor do any of
the others, I might add--but it was adequate to the task and the end results
are more than credible. My only point being that the cheap stuff of 75 years
ago is some different from "the cheap stuff like you can buy now."



> The third way is to remove the plate, route out sections of the old block
and
> replace with new material.  This assumes the old material is mechanically
solid
> and well secured.  Replace the plate and redrill.

Since I still don't quite trust all those plugs and overlapping glue joints,
this is our method of choice. It's not all that difficult and results in a
nice solid, new pinblock that I don't have to worry about without going to a
whole lot of trouble.



> > Can someone jump in
> > and offer more opinions?
>
> No, mine is the only one that counts.  :)  Now if you belief that I know
of a
> bridge in Brooklyn...

How much? And do you have a clear title? How soon can you make delivery?
Will you be able to handle shipping? Can you ship it intact or will you need
to dis-assemble it to fit it into the truck? What kind of warranty are you
offering? Come on, Newton, don't just tease us like that--we want details...

Del