[pianotech] Old upright

[Chuck Behm]

In our shop, we regularly restore old uprights for prices ranging from
$5,000 - 7500, so I agree with Dean in thinking Duaine's price is not out in
left field (at least, here in rural Iowa, it wouldn't be). For the above
price range, we put on a 3 coat polyurethane finish, repin and restring (and
sometimes replace the pinblock), repair the soundboard, shape or replace
hammers, put on new keytops, repair and regulate the action, etc.

I always make clear to the owner that the commercial value of the piano,
when completed, is far less than the investment they are making. Our
customers, however, are by and large not interested in resale. It' s their
grandmother's piano, or their mother's piano. That's what makes it worth it
to them to bring the piano back to life.

These instruments are beautiful when they are done, and I love working on
them. It really does become more than just a paycheck when you are bringing
back a treasure from the past. I know many would rather send them all to the
landfill (out with the old, in with the new!), but personally, I've never
subscribed to that philosophy.

 If anyone is interested in seeing some before and after pictures of
uprights we've worked on, email me and I'll send a batch or two.  Chuck Behm
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