<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2873" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV>No doubt, chances are, you are correct. Most folks simply are not in the market for a high performance grand piano - and certainly are not in the market to spend that kind of $$. BUT, some want that unique combination of high performance, are willing to pay for it - and hey, anyone buying a new or not-worn-out-used Steinway, M&H, Bosendorfer, etc., etc. qualifies - AND they want to keep the family heirloom piano - well, that's who sometimes can be interested is this sort of arrangement. I have done business with these types - they do exist - not many of them, but you won't know unless you cross that ground with them.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Terry Farrell</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr 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>From what I was able to glean from their post, I think they'd have a heart attack if I hit them with that kind of price. But who knows. I'll include your post when I respond to them tomorrow and we'll see what happens. Thanks. Avery At 07:51 AM 6/13/2006, you wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite="" type="cite">This sounds like a potential fabulous opportunity for a rebuilder. The K&B are generally well-built pianos. 1912 should have metal action brackets - but yes, the actions do have weird parts - the action will be more expensive to properly rebuild than normal - either need to use custom parts, or convert to more traditional action.   The owners obviously know it needs rebuilding - they may not be aware of the full extent needed, but they clearly appear to be half-way there. The piano is obviously a family heirloom - no other piano is going to work in quite the same way.   Such a small piano is potentially a prime candidate for belly design improvements (need to evaluate rim, framing, plate, etc to determine what exactly can be done with it). IMHO, assuming the thing needs a new soundboard, I would just recommend a full remanufacture with a redesigned belly (assuming plate, etc. allows proper redesign) and tell 'em you (or whomever) can make the piano sound and play better than any new small grand for $30 to $35K and see then where the family heirloom thing pushes them.   Hey, if you are not interested, I'd jump at an opportunity like this!   Terry Farrell <DL> <DD>----- Original Message ----- <DD>I got this e-mail today. Should I tell them what I "think" I should? <DD>I don't want to deal with it at all but if it might be worth it, I <DD>could refer it to someone else here. <DD>Isn't this the brand, Conrad, that you made a planter out of? :-D Or <DD>am I thinking of something else? <DD>Comments? <DD>Avery Todd <DD>University of Houston <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite="" type="cite"> <DD>The piano is a 1912 Kranich & Bach 5'4" baby grand that has been in  <DD>the family since the 1930s. It has been primarily a furniture piece  <DD>for the past 25 years and probably hasn't been tuned in nearly that  <DD>time. There are a few dead keys. It has been in a climate controlled  <DD>home in Houston for over 40 years.  There is no water damage or major  <DD>structural compromise that we are aware of. <DD>We anticipate some reconditioning will be necessary and possibly even  <DD>partial rebuilding. <DD>We are contemplating the addition of a PianoDisc or similar system to  <DD>allow for recording and playback.</DD></BLOCKQUOTE></DD></DL></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>