<!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <html><head><style type="text/css"></style><title>Re: SV: Recommend Rebuilder?</title></head><body> <blockquote type="cite" cite> <blockquote type="cite" cite>Changing the soundboard and pinblock is a factory job when it comes to Steinway. In this case it is of great importance to use original parts to save the quality.</blockquote> </blockquote> <div><br></div> <div>Don't agree at all. Its a job for anyone who has the capability of doing it properly, whether modified or original in design.</div> <div><br></div> <blockquote type="cite" cite> <blockquote type="cite" cite>Mr Fenner in Germany once changed the soundboard and pinblock in a B grand to make it "better" and S&S put him to court for calling it a Steinway after the repair, so he had to change the name on the fallboard and hide the name on the frame.<br> Now these B grands are sold under the name Fenner.<br> </blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite><i><b>baoli liu <baoli_liu@yahoo.com></b></i> skrev:</blockquote> </blockquote> <div><br> <br> </div> <div>He could have called them Fenner - Steinway which would be more to the truth than calling them straight Fenner.</div> <div><br></div> <div>It seems as if Klaus might have done better, had he sought legal opinion. Rebuilding an instrument with modifications is illegal if all the original trademark and identity items remains the same. It is called "Passing off", and rightly so.</div> <div><br></div> <div>I've been on the receiving end of letters from a certain manufacturer accusing me of Passing Off. But I replied inviting them to inspect the said piano, and to confirm that I had placed a transfer on the plate stating that the piano was modified. The claims of Passing Off evaporated.</div> <div><br></div> <div>Here's a link to an image of the acknowledgment we placed on the circ 1962 Steinway D we rebuilt for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1992.</div> <div><br></div> <div><font face="Lucida Grande" size="-4" color="#000000" >http://members.optusnet.com.au/ronovers/abc.steinwayd.jpg</font></div > <div><br></div> <div>For those who may be interested in the outside finish, it is the two pack automotive lacquer called 2K (jet black with 50% flatting base). We do our refinishing in house.</div> <div><br></div> <div>Provided you explain what you propose to do to an instrument with the owner, and you have their permission, and provided that you place a transfer or sticker on the piano, placed in a conspicuous place on the instrument (doesn't have to be on the fallboard - on the plate will do), stating the changes you have made to the instrument, you will have nothing to fear.</div> <div><br></div> <div>No one can sue you for telling the truth about an instrument which you have rebuilt. Furthermore, why on earth would you want to rebuild an instrument with modifications without including information about the work you performed? The results should be known to be your own work, for better or for worse.</div> <div><br></div> <div>I wouldn't mind if someone modified one of my pianos, and long as they acknowledge what they did for all to see.</div> <div><br></div> <div>We should all be prepared to stand by what we have done.</div> <div><br></div> <div>Ron O.</div> <x-sigsep><pre>-- </pre></x-sigsep> <div><font face="Times New Roman" size="+1" color="#0000FF"><b>OVERS PIANOS - SYDNEY</b></font></div> <div><font color="#000000"><i>   </i></font><font color="#0000FF"><i>Grand Piano Manufacturers</i></font><font color="#000000"><br> _______________________</font></div> <div><font size="-2" color="#000000"><br> </font><font color="#000000">Web http://overspianos.com.au</font></div> <div><font color="#000000">mailto:ron@overspianos.com.au<br> _______________________</font></div> </body> </html>