FULL rebuilding evolution/uprights

[jolly roger]

Hi Dave,
              We are getting, $5,500Cnd for Restringing , over sized pins,
new dampers (redesigned with triple blocks) new wip flanges and jack
springs, jacks repinned as required.
Keybed complete refelting and rebushing.  new key tops or ivory bleached
and polished.
New butts, shanks and hammers. Pedals re chromed, and all trap work
rebushed and repaired.   We sub contract the refinishing.
There is a suprising number of clients out there, looking to have the
family piano restored at any reasonable price.  We also look for the right
Heintzman style case, in Walnut or Mahogany to rebuild and refinish on spec
for the sales floor.  We can sell them for 10K no problem side by side with
the new Yamaha U3 or U5.   Most are sold before completion.
With all the inner city housing being re built, there is a large number of
shoppers looking for that "Genuine Antique look." if the piano delivers. 
The Heintmans sell here like the Steinway's do in the US.  In fact we have
a waiting list.  It's a problem finding the right case with a good board to
make it worth while.   Like you i am toying with the idea of new boards.
Roger 


At 11:25 AM 9/23/01 -0400, you wrote:
>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                    
>
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>--- 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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>> 
>
>
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