Bridging the cap?/ Restoration feasibility

[Farrell]

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Hi Dale. A couple questions. Do you mind sharing what the total bill for =
the upright was? (Did it get new board and action?)

Did you do the new ivory?

The reason I ask is that you, as is commonly done, elude to "the =
realities as to worth and investment....", suggesting that the work may =
not make financial sense (I understand your stand on the owner's right =
to make these decisions). A big tall Yamaha (U3 or UX3) costs around =
$10,000 to $12,000 and the big Steinways, M&H, Bechsteins, etc. cost =
well over $20,000 new.=20

I suspect your client ended up with a new 1905 ornate upright. Does it =
work and sound as well as these other pianos? My point here, obviously, =
is that many techs will say it is not worth putting $12,000 to make =
granny's old upright like new - yet a new Yamaha is "worth" $12,000.

I've heard from some others that they "completely rebuild" uprights for =
around $7,5000 (new board, action, refinish, etc.). I can't see how they =
can do it for so cheap. I think one could do it for $12,000 OK. I'm =
putting a new action and damper system in an old upright right now - I =
wish I had kept track of the hours I have spent on it - there is a lot =
of time-consuming work to make all work just perfectly. I'm charging way =
too little, I fear (incl. hammers, butts, key bushings and fully rebuilt =
damper system - all springs, etc.) - I should have charged much more.

Just curious for another angle on some of this stuff? =20

Terry Farrell
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Erwinspiano@AOL.COM=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2001 8:21 PM
  Subject: Re: Bridging the cap?/ Restoration feasibility


      I recently  did a  very complete remanufacture on a 1905  ornate =
upright. Originally well made but completely dilapidated. I explained =
the realties as to worth and investment as you previously stated.  If =
the outcome can be assured and the client is not hung up on the =
investment argument, which Terry was talking about earlier), then A =
decision can be made. Hey you can fix any thing if you invest enough =
time and money.=20
       In this case the client got full belly package,case and veneer =
reconstruction , re- finish and new keys with ivory. Her beloved  =
Victorian upright and child hood friend restored. Don't sell emotional =
attachment down the river. What's the piano worth now? who cares if she =
doesn't and she got a really great outcome.  Value is ascribed in =
different ways by us all.=20
       My point is that  there are individual situations where the =
client will want to proceed after all our usual initial warnings of lack =
of financial feasibility, tonal outcomes and other prudent counsel.  =20
     It is our job to give good counsel but it really is the clients =
right to spend there money how they will . If we don't wish to take in a =
certain job that's our free choice. I hope you can see where I,m coming =
from.=20
     My Two Cents worth-Dale Erwin=20





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