Eavestaff Piano

[JOHN ROSS]

I would install a Dampp-Chaser right away.
Our climate is not good to older European pianos. Our Winters are too dry.
Someone down here imported a container load of these pianos, in the late 
70's or early eighties. He had to give quite a few people their money back, 
to keep his good name.
He had sent a technician to UK, to check them out and make sure there were 
no 'birdcage' ones. So they had been checked out.
John Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Floyd Gadd" <fg at floydgadd.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 4:26 PM
Subject: Eavestaff Piano


>I have friends with a neglected W.G. Eavestaff & Sons upright piano, which
> has been in their family for three generations, and was brought to Canada
> from England maybe ten years ago. Several of you gave me some very helpful
> information last month regarding some action springs in this instrument.
>
> My question this time is directed to those on this list that have some
> acquaintance with this particular brand of piano. What, generally 
> speaking,
> have you found to be characteristics of Eavestaff pianos when they are in
> good condition? What tend to be their strengths? Their weaknesses? This
> model stands about 45 inches tall, and has a serial number of 20845.
>
> I need to advise this family regarding their choices as to what to do with
> this instrument. The case is in good condition (and somewhat unique, with
> candle holders, etc.), and the pinblock seems capable of holding a tuning
> (I've done a pitch raise). There is positive downbearing on the bridges. I
> still need to check the soundboard for crown. The hammers are not
> trashed--there is some life in them yet. To turn this pso back into a
> musical instrument, it will be necessary at minimum to replace the hammer
> butt springs, go carefully over the action pinning, deal with some
> sluggishness in the keyboard, and regulate completely. At the moment it's
> unplayable.
>
> Since this instrument has considerable sentimental value and family 
> history,
> I would like to give as informed an evaluation as possible. If it will be 
> a
> mediocre instrument at best, no matter how much reconditioning is done, 
> this
> couple needs to know that up front. If it could become an instrument that
> can be musical enough and responsive enough to stimulate the imagination 
> of
> child taking lessons, that's another story. If it holds the possibility of
> being a resonably expressive instrument, and they want to give it new 
> lease
> on life, we can strategize accordingly.
>
> Obviously, the final decision needs to me made in terms of the particular
> instrument itself. Knowing something of the brand characteristics in
> general, however, will be very helpful. Thanks in advance for any insight
> you can give me.
>
> Floyd Gadd
> Brandon, MB
>