rebuilding an old kimball

[Willem Blees]

Daniel

My very first "rebuild", was a Kimball Piano. But that was 31 years ago. You're right about the cost of parts, outsourcing, etc,. Unfortunately,?you'll be lucky to get your money back, if that much. Undertake this project as a learning experience, to do in your spare time,?not as way to make money. Although you will probably want to spend a lot of time on the action and strings, etc,. people are going to buy it for the way it looks. So make sure it the finish and cabinet are as perfect as you can make it.?

Just my?4 cents worth (inflation)?? 

Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
Piano Tuner/Technician
Honolulu, HI
Author of 
The Business of Piano Tuning
available from Potter Press
www.pianotuning.com


-----Original Message-----
From: daniel carlton <hacicspe at gmail.com>
To: pianotech mailing list <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 7:02 am
Subject: rebuilding an old kimball


hi list 



i'm looking into rebuilding an old kimball upright, ca 1905. it would be my first rebuild since my second year at NBSS. replacing hammers, dampers, felts, maybe springs, rebushing keys (farmed out), shimming and refinishing the SB, epoxying the bridge pins (no cracks to speak of, but just to be safe), reattaching any loose ribs, restring, and refinish the case.?




i'd like to know even a ball park figure for what it might cost me to do so. maybe $1500 to $2000??from what i've read on the mailing list, i could sell it for anywhere from 4-8k. ?




i know i might get some "but why" answers. i just want to get my hands dirty, or my feet wet, or whatever.




please be concise as possible in your answers. i appreciate any input.




daniel carlton




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