FULL rebuilding evolution/uprights

[David Renaud]

Farrell  wrote:
I sure would like to hear more on this.
$6,500 US for a complete rebuild -
all you say plus new action, refinish, 
etc. seems way low. I don't see how
a small shop can do it well for under
the $10,000 to $12,000 range. In my
opinion, I would rather buy one of 
these than an new Yamaha U3 for $12,000.
--------------------
OK. Good question on economics.

The following outlines my thinking on this.

Comments welcome....just thinking it through.

1)Firstly Ottawa/Canada pricing is cheaper.
An average RPT tuning is $80 Canadian(about$51US) &
hourly rates $35 to $55 Can ($23 to $36US per hour). 
This is in the city, in the countryside there are 
some people much cheaper. Even in the city
there a few are $55 Can.(about $35US).
Some will respond with we must raise our prices.
The problem is $80Can is a good upper end
at this time in this city.
  
2) Bolduc's pricing and procedures
are very efficient. He sends the
board back with ribs, precrowned,
The pinblock is reproduced and just
about ready to install, and the
bridge has a new cap ready
to knotch. The cost for all these
parts is approx. $1700 Canadian,
about $1100 US.
  It took two days, not pushing too
hard, and the soundboard, pinblock 
were in, drilled, and bridges finished. 
Removal of upright pinblock takes about
3 hours, and the glue joint is ready
and clean,installation about two hours, 
he drilled the thing in about 30 min.
Upright soundboard upright did not take
long either.
  So what is two days labor. For me 
normally $360 per day(four tunings)
is $720 Canadian, About $460 US. plus
the parts $1100 US and some shipping
say $1800US to round it up. Now if 
there is to be a thousand dollars(Can)
additional profit on parts, labor, 
say $2500US total so far.
  Other common average Ottawa prices
in Can dollars. Stringing with parts
and pitch raising $1400, key bushing
$250, Hammers with parts(Able) $600,
dampers($150), cover keys($250) 8 hrs,
alignment/regulation/repair day
($360)a few tunings-4($360),
Overhall pedals($80), lets include
repining, re glue jacks, so on for
two days($720),

This list adds $4170 Canadian(about$2710 US).
With the structural work gives
us a total of about $5200 US.
Add refinishing here for about$2000Can. 
Already $1000 profit included above 
and beyond labor.

I arrive at about a $6500US figure. 
Much lower then the $10,000---$12000 US mentioned.

  Now consider that there is a dealer
in Ottawa already selling Hientzman
uprights with new stings, new hammers,
refinishing,and regulation for $10,000
Canadian. This without new soundboard,
new pinblock, or new bridge caps.

Keep in mind, I have not done this yet,
just thinking it through.

                      Cheers
                      Dave Renaud                    



 
  





 

 
 



--- Farrell <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> I sure would like to hear more on this. $6,500 US
> for a complete rebuild -
> all you say plus new action, refinish, etc. seems
> way low. I don't see how
> a small shop can do it well for under the $10,000 to
> $12,000 range. In my
> opinion, I would rather buy one of these than an new
> Yamaha U3 for $12,000.
> But unfortunately, I am in the business of
> rebuilding these pianos, not
> buying them. Will they sell? And for what price?
> 
> Terry Farrell
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Renaud" <drjazzca@yahoo.ca>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001 3:48 PM
> Subject: FULL rebuilding evolution/uprights
> 
> 
> >    We had Mr Bolduc show our chapter how to
> install
> > new soundboard, new pinblock, and bridge caps
> > in an upright piano. We did it to a 1920's
> Hientzman.
> > He is a good teacher, and gave a comprehensive
> > presentation as he actually did it, and compleated
> > the job. It is very time efficient with his
> > techniques.
> >
> >   I would like to hear from anyone who currently
> is
> > performing such rebuilds.
> >
> > 1) Have you found a market for these.
> >    in the $10,000 Canadian, $6500 US range.
> >
> > 2) Does cliental hear and understand the
> difference
> >    enough to be contracting such work on uprights.
> >
> > 3) How did starting to do high end full rebuilds
> >    change your business, attitudes.
> >
> >   Our region does not yet have anyone doing
> upright
> > or grand soundboards, done locally, as a matter or
> > normal rebuilding practice. We have not evolved to
> the
> > point where some are quoting all or nothing
> packages
> > quite so comprehensive. I believe there is room
> and
> > a market for a comprehensive approach that may be
> > expensive, but may cater to a market.
> >
> >   I am hoping some experienced rebuilders would
> > have a few words of wisdom to share about their
> > own experience evolving into this type of work.
> >
> >   Did you question if the market would be there,
> > and were you surprised at the result, or did you
> > find it a labor of love, and a very small market.
> >
> >   Any questions about the class/procedure welcome.
> >
> >
> >                        Cheers
> >                        Dave Renaud
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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> http://mail.yahoo.ca
> 


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