<HTML><HTML> In a message dated 2/2/04 11:08:19 AM, tune4@earthlink.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE CITE STYLE="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px" TYPE="CITE"> I'm a little late getting back on this...what year? I worked on the act= ion of a Mathushek that had typical grand action parts-shanks and wipp= ens. I recall the manufacturing date in the 1910's, maybe later. I= may be able to locate my data sheets if needed. Paul C </BLOCKQUOTE> It was made in the 1880s.  We looked at the piano today. (I brought al= ong a fellow tech with square grand rebuilding experience.)   Wit= hout removing the action (couldn't figure out how...without taking up alot o= f the owner's time anyway...) it seemed to play pretty well.  One key = didn't work...felt like a broken jack.  Treble hammers were covered wi= th leather.  There was water damage to the back of the piano, all the = veneer was peeling off.  Big cracks under the keybed on the underside = of the piano.  Multiple cracks in the soundboard.   The lyr= e, too, had split apart probably from water damage.  I was originally attracted to the instrument for two reasons: I have a clien= t who was interested in obtaining one, and it was selling for $20.50.  = On eBay.  Thirdly, (I guess that's THREE reasons, isn't it?) the pian= o is only 45 minutes from my home.  Forty-five minutes isn't far, rela= tively speaking, here in Chicago.  I'm passing on it only because the client decided he didn't want to spend th= at much money. If anyone is interested in this piano, you can find it on eBay.  The a= uction ends today.  The present bid is $20.50.  It is certainly = restorable, but not without a lot of work. Tom Sivak Chicago</HTML>