I had > the opportunity to go and tune an "antique" grand piano today, and > going in, that is all I knew. It took my breath away, and I have > been in shock ever since. > It turned out to be the most beautiful, ornate (I know that > ornate does not a piano make!) piano I have ever had the pleasure to > tune. It was a specially commissioned Erard, circa 1878 (serial # > on the soundboard was 60060, signed by Erard). The entire cabinet > was done by a cabinet maker by the name of Savant? (it was signed > on a little brass plaque on the left rim edge). Apparently it was a > custom, specially commissioned piano for the British Embassy, and it > had the Royal Seal of Britain on the side of the rim, done in > bronze, and a special bronze leaf-like trim all around the case. > Near perfect ivories, I didn't inspect the board or bridges too > closely, but they appeared at first glance to be serviceable. > What I did notice, though, was that it had #1 pins, which > were all loose, some worse than others; the strings were showing a > little rust, and it had been restrung at one time, as evidenced by > the stringing scale written in pencil on the plate, and the really > funky feeling action, with the dampers coming up from under the > strings. No way was I going to pull the action without knowing what > I was getting into. The dampers were worn and kind of fuzzy looking, > and the hammers were worn, although not too badly. > We got to talking, and the lady told me where she got the > piano, showed me the documentation she got with it, and how much she > paid for it. I told her my observations on the condition of the > piano, and she asked me how much getting it re-whatever would cost. > I told her that you just didn't call Joe the corner Rebuilder for a > piano like this, and that I would do some research for her. > Like I said, the cabinet is breath-taking (at least it was > to me). What would you recommend? Who would you recommend? What > kind of differences are there in the action? It was straight > strung, with individual looped strings, ala Bluthner,etc. If she > decided to do a job on it, I could repin, restring, etc, but what > kinds of problems will I encounter? > This has been long-winded enough. I sure would appreciate > some advice here. Maybe there is a job in this for somebody, and > she apparently has the money. Any advice would be appreciated > muchly!! > > Clark Sprague, RPT > Detroit/Windsor Chapter > Evola Music of Ohio, Toledo
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