This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment I think that because we are involved in an unlicensed profession, there = is no way to have any such workable standard. But as far as what I'd = like to see - sure, I'll bite on that one. Pretty simple actually. First, a conversation needs to be had with the = piano owner. They need to identify their targeted end result for the = piano. Do they want the piano to be better than new? Like new? Improved? = Look nice, but it will never be played? What are their needs, wants & = desires? Once the target result is established, a checklist of all piano parts = should be used to evaluate condition/need. Each part should be rated - = okay, repair, rebuild, replace. Then the rebuilder can sit down with the piano owner and discuss his/her = recommendations for achieving the piano owner's targeted rebuilding = result. That is essentially the process I go through each time I take in a = rebuilding project. I have pianos in my shop that are being stripped to the frame and are = being completely redesigned and remanufactured - because that is what = the owner's are looking for.=20 I also just took in a 90-year-old Packard grand for bass restringing, = and partial rebuilding of the action. The piano was "rebuilt" 20 years = or so ago and the finish and plain wires are okay (the action is so far = out of regulation that it barely functions). The wippens can be salvaged = (good shape for age) and action geometry is acceptable. The = owner/pianist has Alzheimer's disease and the expectations for the = performance of this piano are not high - they just want it to function = reasonably well and not hold the player back. So we put together a $4K = package of rebuilding tasks that I think will make them happy with the = piano. But I did cover the $30K option with the Packard owner - just so they = were aware of the range of possibilities for their piano. They = eliminated that direction pretty quickly. I understood that with no = problem. In my original post, the Chickering piano owner expected the piano to be = in excellent working order after the rebuild. The result was far, far = short of that.=20 Although my conversation with the Chickering piano owner was limited, it = seems apparent that there was no discussion about rebuilding options - = the rebuilder offered one level of piano rebuilding - "everything". IMHO, everything means everything - every part that commonly wears over = time needs to be rebuilt or replaced (hopefully properly). That means = every piece of leather or felt - every bushing in the back action and = trap work - everything means that at a minimum, bridges need to be at = least refurbished (resurfaced, renotched, pins secured) - preferably = rebuilt (better yet new!). And yes, an "everything" rebuild typically = means the soundboard also - but again, that depends on the piano owners = need and expectations. If the soundboard is shot - the piano sounds = dead, etc. - that must be discussed with the piano owner - not = identifying that system dysfunction is deplorable. "Rebuilding" an action consisting of new hammers, keytops and damper = felt - and then not regulating the action - is inexcusable IMHO. Even if = the rebuilder's only objective was to make the new keytops look good, = s/he would want to level and space the damn keys! Terry Farrell ----- Original Message -----=20 Okay, Terry. Give us a workable standard- what you'd like to see.=20 =20 Dean Dean May cell 812.239.3359 PianoRebuilders.com 812.235.5272 Terre Haute IN 47802 =20 -----Original Message----- Oh I wish there were some standards for the "rebuilt" piano. SNIP =20 Terry Farrell ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/12/bc/ca/cb/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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