[pianotech] old piano soundboards

[Gerald Groot]

Hi Wim,  

 

The sounding board and bridges along with most other things must always be
taken into consideration in any job.  Whether it be rebuilding or
reconditioning.  If it's full of cracks or if the cracks run through the
bridges or, if the bridges or bridge pins are split, then a decision must be
made regarding these things one way or the other.  Especially if it affects
the overall sound of the piano and/or tone.  

 

Strictly speaking of old neglected uprights and I'm thinking OLD uprights,
then to me, it's not worth the investment of replacing and/or shimming the
sounding board.  For me, it doesn't matter if the client wants it done or
not.  If I don't think it's worth doing I try and talk them out of it.
Money isn't everything.  Knowing what the final outcome will most likely be
in this particular case is most important to me and if they insist on doing
it regardless, I turn it down.  

 

My dad always stressed two things.  Well, he stressed much more than that
but, these are two of them.  1.  If you're not sure of yourself, or how it
will come out, don't do it.  2.  If you even think, or question that it
might not come out to your own satisfaction, don't do it.   

 

99% of the time, I am able to convince these people to purchase something
else whether used or new, by explaining $$$ spent on their piano versus $$$
spent instead on an upgrade instead.  That $$$ will go a long way towards
another purchase as it can add up very quickly.  

 

Now, on the other hand, if the piano is worth it and if it will turn out
really nice well, then, that could be a different matter.  

 

If I ask these same people later on if they think they made the right
decision after they purchased a new piano or something better, the
inevitable answer is always yes.  They thank me for my straight shooting and
honesty.  So, in my opinion, rather than taking the money and running with
it, I give the best advice that I can with the constant thought in my mind
of; "what would I do if this were my own piano?"  

 

Jer

 

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of wimblees at aol.com
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 10:17 PM
To: Pianotech at PTG.org
Subject: [pianotech] old piano soundboards

 

Those of you who think it is worth restoring old uprights, when you evaluate
them, do you consider the condition of the soundboard? Is it worth it, to
replace it, or do you just shim and refinish it? 


Wim

 

  _____  

The Average US Credit Score is 692. See
<http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220814837x1201410725/aol?redir=htt
p:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID%
3D62%26bcd%3DAprilAvgfooterNO62>  Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps! 



  _____  

avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com> : Outbound message clean. 


Virus Database (VPS): 090410-0, 04/10/2009
Tested on: 4/11/2009 12:45:16 AM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2009 ALWIL Software.


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20090411/a506d3bf/attachment.html>