Howard I've rebuilt several of these as you described the oldest ones being 1888,1891and a bunch from bout 1912 ish. These uprights were built like tanks and because of there closed up design it is as close to preserving a piano in a violin case type atmosphere as we find. Many have better crown than normally seen in the grands of same vintage and I see no reason to fix what ain't broke either. The sound of a piano often tells the whole story anyway concerning board replacement. I applaud your prudent and open inquiry for the benifit of you client. The quality of lumber and the way it was treated at that time (held in ponds to minimize split and other mystical reasons), thorough air drying all contribute to the well preserved nature of so many pianos of this era. Dale Erwin ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard S. Rosen" <hsrosen@gate.net> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 12:26 PM Subject: Fix what's not broke? > 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 > > >
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