[pianotech] Any Ideas: Museum looking for funding to rebuilt valuable historic piano

[Ursula Hammerling]

Thanks for your important input, Israel. I think they are not quite sure about this, and I see it is important for them to speak to a re-builder about the possibilities.
-Ursula



--- On Tue, 1/4/11, Israel Stein <custos3 at comcast.net> wrote:

From: Israel Stein <custos3 at comcast.net>
Subject: [pianotech] Any Ideas: Museum looking for funding to rebuilt valuable historic piano
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Tuesday, January 4, 2011, 11:55 AM

#yiv44525187 p {margin:0;}On Jan 01/04/11 8:32 AM Ursula Hammerling wrote: 

>Thanks, Joe, for your reply. I have the feeling, that this piano needs 
everything rebuilt and the
>idea to contact a rebuilder first seems the 
way to go. Thanks again. 
>- Ursula

Ursula,

 I want to emphasize something that Joe mentions below. Before you get any deeper into this - make sure that you and the folks in this museum are absolutely clear about what it is that they want. Do they want an instrument that functions optimally - but looks like a historical piano? Or do they want an authentic restoration, a museum piece that is as close as possible to what it was originally - but can be played. Either one is a can of worms - as Joe says - but the worms are different species...  The worst thing that could happen, however, is if this project proceeds without a clear idea of what it is that they want...   

Israel Stein 

>>--- On Tue, 1/4/11, Joseph Garrett <joegarrett at earthlink.net> wrote:

>>From: Joseph Garrett <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
>>Subject: Re: [pianotech] Any Ideas: Museum......rebuild funding
>>To: "pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org>
>>Date: Tuesday, January 4, 2011, 1:37 AM


 
>>Ursula,
>>I would suggest you first find a rebuilder and have that person 
give his Estimate. Then, they'd have a reasonable idea.. I've 
Remanufactured one of those, ..an 1867. The actions in that particular 
piano is a disaster! For the one I did, it got a complete new 
action...highly modified, by me and Rick Wheeler. Chickerings can be 
daunting. That particular one, even more so!! If I were to do the job 
I'd ask for two arms, a leg and your first born's inheritance.<G> 
Not really, but I'd estimate it very high, having already endoured the 
first one.<G> If they are looking to Rebuild it, that's one thing.
 If they are looking to Restore it, that is a whole new set of problems.
 With the Remanufacture, I did, the piano had a new sound board, 
pinblock, retoration of the arty case and refinished. The action and 
back action had to be replaced, completely. Today, the options are many 
more than anytime in the past, regarding the direction to be taken. And,
 the action parts avai
 labilities are better...er somewhat.<G>
>>Regards,
>>Joe



      
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