Junking 1st Piano Problem

[Tom Driscoll]

----- Original Message -----
From: Farrell <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 4:52 AM
Subject: Junking 1st Piano Problem


> SNIP
> My problem comes with the 4th piano in the garage. An 1895 Knabe 54"
> upright. It has the simple-but-beautiful burled walnut case. The piano
needs
> top-to-bottom rebuilding (and inside and out). It has a moderate amount of
> apparent termite damage (old - no active termites). Case has a few trim
> pieces missing. Action frame is wood. 3/4, full-perimeter plate. Separate
> low tenor bridge. This obviously WAS a very, very nice, high-quality,
piano
> 100 years ago. The termite damage seems to be pushing me over the edge
> toward tossing it out. I know so well that when you disassemble a
> termite-bitten object, you will find ten-fold or greater damage within.
>
> I have yet to junk my first piano (although I have told many clients to
junk
> theirs!). This is quickly becoming a traumatic experience for me. Will the
> piano goddess forgive/understand me if I disassemble this old beauty with
a
> sledge hammer? I would at least hang the plate on my shop wall! Would
anyone
> (with a clear conscience) recommend that I keep and rebuild this piano
(that
> is, am I doing the right thing?)?
> Terry Farrell
>
> Terry,
      Save what you can. The action, Ivory,pedals etc. Remove that beautiful
veneer if you can , save the case parts like the  leg turnings and music
rack . The key slip is usually solid walnut.
    I'm not a pack rat by nature but reuse what you can ,give the veneer to
a furniture maker and  I think there was a journal cover  some time ago with
a plate half buried and used as an  arbor.
       "A time for every season-----"   You know the rest.
                  Tom Driscoll