Fix what's not broke?

[Richard Brekne]

Hi Howard... sounds to me like you have a prime restoration candidate there. And
I mean restoration in the museum sense of the word. Not alllll that often we
come across pianos that old that are very playable and have good sound
characteristics. Are you sure you want a whole new action ?  Is  refurbishing a
viable option. How possible is it to duplicate the origional finish ?  A picture
in any case would be really neat. Am looking forward to hearing what folks have
to say on this one.

"Howard S. Rosen" wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>
> I need your opinions re: "Don't fix what ain't broke". Here are the details:
>
> 115 year old Steinway that sounds a lot better than most Steinways I've
> heard at half that age. (never been rebuilt) Case needs refinishing and it
> needs a new action (the works). There *is* crown and downbearing. The
> sustain is excellent. The pin block is remarkably normal. The TP's feel
> great.
>
> It's a no brainer that this instrument needs to be refinished, restrung and
> a completely new action installed. My dilemma is this. Should I replace the
> sound board and pinblock because they are 115 years old even though they
> seem fine right now? Should I fix what ain't broke? Thanks in advance for
> your opinions.
>
> Howard S. Rosen, RPT
> 7262 Angel Falls Ct.
> Boynton Beach, Fl  33437
>
> hsrosen@gate.net

--
Richard Brekne
RPT, N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway
mailto:Richard.Brekne@grieg.uib.no