<!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 6.00.2715.400" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV><SPAN class=110142322-02052002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Wim:</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=110142322-02052002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=110142322-02052002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>In what area of the world are you working? I'm gonna send my re-stringing work to you, since the estimates I get around here if I want to farm it out averages $1000 - $1500 for bass strings alone, and near $3500 for the whole piano. At the rates you quoted, I could almost ship the piano to you, pay your rates and STILL come out ahead!</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=110142322-02052002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=110142322-02052002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Greg Casper</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=110142322-02052002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>San Jose, CA</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Wimblees@AOL.COM<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, May 02, 2002 10:54 AM<BR><B>To:</B> pianotech@ptg.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> different focus was Re: Bass strings/Willem's response<BR><BR></FONT></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT size=2>Somehow the focus on this subject changed from what the original intent of the post was, and I wound up trying to defend string breakage, which was not my initial intent. I would like to go back to the original question, and discuss that topic. <BR><BR>If I recall, the original question was, "can bass strings be replaced without damaging the piano?" To which Joe said, the treble strings should be replaced also. To which I responded they don't have to be replaced. Somehow that got to be interpreted that I wouldn't replace strings even though they loose elasticity, plastic, become corroded, rusted, get fatigued, etc. <BR><BR>I agree with all of those reasons treble strings should be replaced. But the one reason, which was my point, that treble strings do not be replaced is the sound, or tone of the strings. By all means, if the strings are breaking like crazy, because of any or all of the above reasons, then yes, they should be replaced. But I don't think replacing them will change the tone of the piano. There are other factors that will change the tone, but not the new strings themselves. <BR><BR>The other thing to consider on this 100 year old piano is the cost factor. Is it really worth replacing the treble strings on this piano? There is a hell of lot more labor involved to restring the entire piano, than just to do the bass strings.  A new set of bass strings, including the parts and the labor to install them, and the couple of trips back to retune, is in the neighborhood of $300 - $400.  To restring the entire piano, including the trips back to retune, is in the neighborhood of $1500 - $2000. (That's if it is done in the shop. If they piano has to be moved, add a couple of hundred dollars.)  So one has to ask the question, is the piano worth spending 3 to 4 times as much money on? And for a 100 year old upright, my answer would be no. <BR><BR>Wim </FONT></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>