Thanks for your answers thus far, guys. I'd like to respond to what's been sent so far. Pardon the formatting... my email server is very basic. I hope my interspersed answers and comments are discernible. Paul Revenko-Jones wrote: "If you are not seriously determined to replace the board, you might rethink that. The piano may have "measured crown" (vague meaning there), but it might well be false crown with the board suspended by the strings across the bridges. You would be restringing over the old board which may well collapse further upon de-stringing, and then be asked to support new bearing. And how are you measuring bearing, if I might ask? Just a thought. Otherwise, go for it! :-)" Ok, I measured downbearing by the ol' rocker guage. I put the middle foot on the bridge and was able to rock it to each side. That's about all I know of how to check it. Please, anybody, enlighten me of a better way. Last I heard, (on this list) Steinway's "spec" was "SOME downbearing." So there is that. Bearing that in mind, I didn't put a feeler guage under either end. I remember reading somewhat recently about what you're talking about.. that once the strings, which may be holding the board UP, are loosened that the board may "oil-can" downwards. What would be the good test for this? I would THINK they'd let me loosen all the strings and then re-check for crown, because they're not using the piano anymore. Would that be a good test? Thanks for reminding me of that possible pitfall! Kent Swafford wrote: "We happen to have an 1881 85-note A in the shop right now. It's a very nice piano. We have had a few surprises (mostly because of some rebuilding work that was done at Steinway in the 1940's) but modern parts appear to work just fine. Name another product built in 1881 for which you can still buy parts!You might have a good piano there." Thanks for the encouragement, Kent. In a message dated 3/13/2010 7:15:55 P.M. Central Standard Time, davidlovepianos at comcast.net writes: "If you are doing this as a spec project figure out a realistic value whenit's done (that age and only 85 notes is worth less than a more modernSteinway), figure out the cost to get it there including a new soundboard(if it's the original board it's too old no matter what it looks like), newpinblock/stretcher construction if it's one of those partial plates, finish,case parts, action, moving, cost of selling (commissions). Figure out thevalue added that you'd like to make on top of just your time (you must havesome incentive for the risk you are taking other than just your hourlywage). Add 6% per annum opportunity cost (what you might have earned withthe money otherwise that will be tied up for period of time you will beworking on it). Subtract the costs from the value and see if there's stilla positive number that you can offer and expect a reasonable return. CallSteinway first and see if they want to buy it as a historical record pieceand compare. Keep in mind that it's a different market than it was twoyears ago and the prospects for a change are uncertain, to say the least. David Love" Thanks, David. I'm in total agreement with Paul. That IS care. And, yes, that's how I'll arrive at a bid price to buy it, with a 15% goof-up factor on top of all estimates. I wouldn't have thought of calling Steinway first, so thanks for that. And I wouldn't have factored in the time value of money, so I'll do that, too. Anybody got a rough idea of the value of a good 1881 Steinway 6 footer? (Subtract 15-20% for Montana!) I'm well aware of the downward trending of piano values, and that this would be a highly speculative endeavor. But I'm also just intrigued with the process of restoration, and I realize I'll probably have to "pay for my education" in this process. To this point, I've only taken some beaters of no great interest and made them play well and hold a tune. I want to take the next step and restore some pianos, and learn about refinishing. (I'll farm out this piano for the refinishing, though.) Again, thanks to you who have responded thus far, and I hope this discussion might also foster some interesting tangents on rebuilding pitfalls and potholes - possibly even some anecdotes of unexpectedly wild success. (Do those even exist?) John Dorr, RPT Helena, MT
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