<!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 6.00.2800.1106" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY> <DIV><FONT color=#800000>Comments below:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV> <DIV> <SPAN id=__#Ath#SignaturePos__></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV>----- Original Message ----- <DIV>From: "Phillip Ford" <<A href="mailto:fordpiano@earthlink.net">fordpiano@earthlink.net</A>></= DIV> <DIV>To: <<A = href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>></DIV> <DIV>Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 6:14 PM</DIV> <DIV>Subject: Restoration (was Re: Historical Pianos)</DIV></DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>> >I'll assume by "at odds with some on this list" referrs to = those that <BR>> >replace parts and perhaps make some = modifications?<BR>> <BR>> Yes, it refers to those that perhaps make some modifications or = perhaps<BR>> feel that previous designs are inadequate or = obsolete.  There have been many<BR>> discussions on the list since I've been a subscriber about what constitutes <BR>> restoration or rebuilding, = how much modification results in a piano that<BR>> is markedly different from = the original maker's intent, what's ethical and<BR>> what's not, what's appropriate and what's not, etc.  This fellow is offering <BR>> = his view, which I found interesting, and which I thought might be<BR>> interesting to others that participate in these discussions, whether = they agree<BR>> with him or not.  I admire him for having a set of = values which he can<BR>> elucidate which guide his work.<BR>> <BR>> = <BR>> >I read his statement and did not find anything at odds there. He = is<BR>> trying <BR>> >to restore pianos. Folks who replace and or redesign = pianos are not<BR>> trying <BR>> >to restore an instrument, they are = creating a new one from an old<BR>> carcass.<BR>> <BR>> Yes, I see = that.  I must have a different interpretation of what he has to <BR>> = say.  My interpretation was that, for him, working on a piano means<BR>> restoration.  Redesigning and remanufacturing are not options = because they are<BR>> inappropriate.  In my opinion that puts him at odds = with those that are<BR>> 'creating a new one from an old carcass'.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000>I wouldn't put it that he is with odds with = others. If it is the case that, for him, working on a piano means restoration, then = I think there is the implication that for others, working on a piano may have = different meanings.</FONT><BR><BR>> >  IMHO there is quite a difference = between restoring a piano and <BR>> > rebuilding or remanufacturing a piano.<BR>> <BR>> Yes, I agree.<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> >If = you are trying to know/experience/whatever the piano as it was <BR>> = >originally created - restore it. If you have an idea of what a<BR>> performance = <BR>> >piano should be and can't find one at your local dealer, then = <BR>> >remanufacture one.<BR>> ><BR>> >Terry Farrell<BR>> = <BR>> And what is your idea of what a performance piano should be and how = did<BR>> you arrive at that idea?<BR></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000>I would have to say that I don't really have = enough experience with pianos yet to have refined my tastes, let alone know all = the details of what design parameters produce preferred qualities. The = little bit that I think I know is smooth, even tone across the whole keyboard (good = bass/tenor break - consistent tone - no killer octave and the likelihood = that one will not develop for a long time, if ever), a piano with predictable = characteristics, a Stanwood-type keyboard/action, good sustain, a = singing high treble, enough power for the facility/use. I arrived at these few characteristics by observation and what makes sense to me.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000>In all honesty, for me, I draw heavily = on my fairly broad amateur experience with performance cars and sailboats. I = have been intimately involved with redesigning (at the amateur level) and = rebuilding both cars and boats for racing, etc. With cars and boats, NO manufacturer = EVER makes the ultimate product. Every product is a major compromise between what = might make a performance product and one that has a price tag condusive to = maximizing sales/profit. I'm learning about pianos, and I haven't seen anything yet = that suggests to me that piano manufacturers are any different. Why would = they be?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000>It's really just where I feel comfortable. It = just makes sense to me to redesign any modern piano. But also, I don't think = I would criticize anyone for doing a restoration on a 19th Century or older = piano - just don't expect it to sound like new, that's all.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000>Actually, a dream I have is someday, when I = amass at least 873 kajillion tons more knowledge about what makes pianos work, is = to design a piano that combines some of the best aspects of the = pre-modern piano (maybe something with many characteristics from the early 19th = Century) - but it would be a new piano, incorporating modern materials, and any = design innovations that have evolved since that time that seem appropriate = (like perhaps it would even have a full metal plate, but likely the string = tension would be similar to what it might have been back then). The purpose = would be to produce a piano that might have many of acoustical properties of the pre-power-power-power pianos, but might incorporate modern = bridge-making techniques that would help reduce false beats, or produce a more singing = treble.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000>Whatever, just wild thoughts I am sometimes = plagued with.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#800000>I am also glad there are those out there that = are immersed in restoration of old pianos. I'm not terribly interested in = doing that myself, but I'm sure glad others are preserving some of those beauties.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><BR>> Phil Ford<BR>> <BR>> _______________________________________________<BR>> pianotech list = info: <A href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives">http://www.ptg.org= /mailman/listinfo/pianotech</A></DIV></BODY></HTML>