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<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#ff0000 size=2><STRONG>Speaking as an East Coast
guy, we see a lot of Steinerts & Knabes. The private customer will spend as
much to rebuild them, generally, with some convincing from their friendly
neighborhood rebuilder. As far as selling these, it's possible but certainly nor
as easy as the fallboard recognitionof a Stwy or M&H. We can get these
pianos for the cost of the move sometimes so if you can pull in enough dough to
cover your work, be happy. My angle is to explain to the customer that I have a
collection of vintage pianos and that they can pick one out and I will give it
to them for free if they are willing to invest in giving the piano a second
life. Personally I love working on other fine brands other than Steinway. In
fact, my next five pianos are a Steinert, M&H, Old Baldwin, Knabe and
Bechstein. Don't forget the Steinert family of Jewett and Hume. I'm really
looking forward to trying some of Ron Nossamon/Del Fandrich?Ron Overs
innovations to these babies.</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#ff0000 size=2><STRONG>Jude Reveley, RPT<BR>Absolute
Piano Restoration, LLC<BR>Boston, Massachusetts</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial><BR><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT></DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2>>> <BR>>>> Most of the pianos were Steinways. Was
this<BR>>>> coincidence? <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> I'm going to try
something at the Atelier in the fall and see if it works.<BR>> I'm going to
rebuild a Steinert 6'3" piano in an "economy-custom" protocol,<BR>> refinish
it, make it like new and sell it for $18-19,000.00. As I said in<BR>>
the class, the rebuildable shells must have spent their lives in
California:<BR>> usable board, block, bridge, back action, keyframe. I think
we can execute a<BR>> rocking piano and make some money. At first, sales of a
piano like this will<BR>> be based on personal trust for me, because I don't
think the market yet<BR>> recognizes the value of a rebuilt Steinert, or
Conover, or Mehlin & Sons.<BR>> I'm sure the East Coast guys have a
different take, but I don't see many<BR>> rebuilds at all in Cali that aren't
Steinway or M&H; Dale has a different<BR>> experience in Modesto, I
believe.<BR>> Anyway, I hope our rebuilt 6' American pianos with big ol'
thick hardwood<BR>> rims will kick a modern Yamaha's ass, to be elegant about
it. Those who<BR>> have ears and fingers will tell us how we
do.<BR>> <BR>> BTW, if any of you list guys are EVER in the LA vicinity,
there's an open<BR>> invitation for a meal and some pianos. Just give me a
little heads-up....<BR>> <BR>> xoxxoDA <BR>> <BR>> <BR>>
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