<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=us-ascii"> <META content="MSHTML 5.50.4522.1800" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV>Hi Dale. A couple questions. Do you mind sharing what the total = bill for the upright was? (Did it get new board and action?)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Did you do the new ivory?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The reason I ask is that you, as is commonly done, elude to "the = realities as to worth and investment....", suggesting that the work may not make = financial sense (I understand your stand on the owner's right to make these = decisions). A big tall Yamaha (U3 or UX3) costs around $10,000 to $12,000 and the = big Steinways, M&H, Bechsteins, etc. cost well over $20,000 new. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I suspect your client ended up with a new 1905 ornate upright. Does = it work and sound as well as these other pianos? My point here, obviously, is = that many techs will say it is not worth putting $12,000 to make granny's old = upright like new - yet a new Yamaha is "worth" $12,000.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I've heard from some others that they "completely rebuild" uprights = for around $7,5000 (new board, action, refinish, etc.). I can't see how they = can do it for so cheap. I think one could do it for $12,000 OK. I'm putting a = new action and damper system in an old upright right now - I wish I had kept = track of the hours I have spent on it - there is a lot of time-consuming work = to make all work just perfectly. I'm charging way too little, I fear (incl. hammers, butts, key bushings and fully rebuilt = damper system - all springs, etc.) - I should have charged much more.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Just curious for another angle on some of this = stuff? <SPAN id=__#Ath#SignaturePos__></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Terry Farrell</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=Erwinspiano@AOL.COM href="mailto:Erwinspiano@AOL.COM">Erwinspiano@AOL.COM</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, December 15, = 2001 8:21 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Bridging the cap?/ = Restoration feasibility</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px = solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" TYPE="CITE"><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#000000 size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF">  I recently  did a  very = complete remanufacture on a 1905  ornate upright. Originally well made = but completely dilapidated. I explained the realties as to worth and = investment as you previously stated.  If the outcome can be assured and = the client is not hung up on the investment argument, which Terry was talking = about earlier), then A decision can be made. Hey you can fix any thing if = you invest enough time and money. <BR>   In this case the = client got full belly package,case and veneer reconstruction , re- finish = and new keys with ivory. Her beloved  Victorian upright and child hood = friend restored. Don't sell emotional attachment down the river. What's the = piano worth now? who cares if she doesn't and she got a really great = outcome.  Value is ascribed in different ways by us all. <BR>   My point is that  there are individual = situations where the client will want to proceed after all our usual initial = warnings of lack of financial feasibility, tonal outcomes and other prudent = counsel.   <BR> It is our job to give good counsel but it really is = the clients right to spend there money how they will . If we don't wish = to take in a certain job that's our free choice. I hope you can see where = I,m coming from. <BR> My Two Cents worth-Dale Erwin <BR><BR><BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></FONT></BODY></HTML>