[pianotech] Old upright

[Michael Magness]

On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 5:30 PM, Bill Miller <miltronix at verizon.net> wrote:

> Question from a longtime piano player who's not a tech:
> How do you replace the pin block in a vertical piano?? (I thought it wasn't
> feasible...)
> thanks, Bill Miller, Norfolk VA
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Deutschle" <
> oaronshoulder at gmail.com>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 10:30 AM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Old upright
>
>
> I'd love to see the pictures!
>
> Maybe you could answer a few questions. It seems that the achilles
> heel for old uprights is loss of downbearing at the treble break. Do
> you have a protocol for dealing with this? Also, I've been keeping my
> eye out for any brands that do not have a deep notch (deeper than the
> cap), or even no notch at all, for the treble break strut. Have you
> noticed any?
>
> On Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 10:07 AM, Chuck Behm <behmpiano at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> 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.
>>
>> <SNIP>
>>
>
>
>
Ihave to assume this "old piano" is an american made piano. If it is indeed
beyond repair I have 2 never fail lines I use for my customers. It wasn't a
great piano when it was built and it hasn't improved with age. Then when
they look at you and say But can't you just....... You look them in the eye
and answer no maam/sir what you have here is firewood masquerading as a
piano.

One caveat, if they do get rid of it you may end up working on one of these
chinese wonders, so think twice!!

Mike

-- 
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Steven Wright


Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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