maintenance figures

[Fred S. Sturm]

Blaine,
    From the point of view of a donor, what is wanted is a ballpark figure
with some degree of credibility. No need to agonize over details. I would tend
to look at issues of major parts replacement/rebuilding at fixed intervals as
the main components, together with something on the lines of what Richard West
compiled for intermediate care (accelerated for the larger grands). It's
troublesome to come up with firm figures, but maybe somewhere in the
neighborhood of 5% (2 to 8%?) of the cost of the piano (new) would end up
being fairly close for an annual basis. Of course, depending on how heavily
used, and how critical the use is. Which might mean that, if looking to get a
donation which would cover a piano and its ongoing maintenance, one would ask
for somewhere close to the value of the piano as an endowment.
    That's "educated guesswork," and I'd love to see some discussion along
these lines, as such a figure (IOW as percentage of piano value) would be very
useful to have as a rule of thumb.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico

Blaine Vesely wrote:

> List,
> A former colleague, Anne Fiedler, asked me for help in determining
> maintenance figures over the life span of a piano.  She requested that I
> ask CAUTs on the list, and her question is printed below.  She has recently
> become more proactive in piano maintenance issues--she was one of a handful
> of university piano professors who attended the Symposium in Chicago last
> summer.  If you would like to contact her directly, I can forward her email
> address to you off list.
>
> Regards,
> Blaine Vesely
>
> Blaine,
>
> If you wouldn't mind posting on the listserve, here's what I'd like posted:
> -----
> For purposes of securing a recurring gift donation, I'm seeking estimated
> figures of maintenance for the life of a new Steinway D, B L and upright. I
> realize that the age of the piano will be among factors that dictate
> necessary work and that annual costs will vary. However, an annual,
> 5-year,10-year or longer estimate would be most helpful.
> ---------
>
> Thanks again for your time -
> Anne
>
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