1897 S&S A

[Clarence Zeches]

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Does this piano have a standard back action (damper tray, etc)?  A
college near me has one of these and the damper wires have set screws
with no collar so when you tighten them the wood splits and there is no
way to take it out for repair without taking all the dampers out and
removing the entire back action.  I have super glued them several times
and there is no more repair, only a new system. Fortunately the piano is
no longer used.  I have told them if they start to use it the repair
will have to be done.  This one is also an 85 note keyboard.
 
Clarence Zeches
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Otto Keyes [mailto:okeyes@uidaho.edu] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 1:23 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: 1897 S&S A
 
Thanks Wim,
 
Anybody else have any thoughts to share?  I'm not so concerned about the
valuation.  That can be determined without a great deal of difficulty.
Rather, I am concerned about the direction I should steer them.
Normally a piano this old would be a no-brainer, but the situation is
unique, & I could use as much input as possible.
 
Thanks,
 
Otto
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Wimblees@aol.com 
To: caut@ptg.org 
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 8:10 AM
Subject: Re: 1897 S&S A
 
In a message dated 4/12/04 6:33:40 PM Central Daylight Time,
okeyes@uidaho.edu writes:
With some regulation & voicing
this could be very serviceable.  However, as part of the inheritance, it
could also be completely rebuilt.  Given its remarkably good condition
and
age, it may have some "historical/antique value", which modern
rebuilding
would destroy. While it may be a better piano at the end of that
process, it
may be a less valuable one in "antique" terms.

They also need a current valuation of the piano in its current condition
for
tax purposes.  I am assuming a wholesale value with the view to a
complete
rebuilding -- setting aside the subjective "antique" value.  Any
thoughts
from all of you on this subject?

Thanks,

Otto
Otto
 
I would suggest that the piano be kept in it's original condition, until
such time that it does indeed HAVE to be rebuilt. 
 
As far as value is concerned, one of the factors that would need to be
considered is the location. How many people in Moscow, or the
surrounding area, are in a position to buy a 1897 S&S A? If the piano is
advertised nationally, the transportation factor needs to be considered.

 
Any instrument is worth what it is, in it's current condition. Start
from the point that a potential buyer wants it for their own use, not as
an investment for speculation. It wouldn't necessarily be a wholesale
value, because, according to you, it is in very serviceable piano. 
 
So let's assume some wealthy person in Moscow wants to buy this thing. I
don't know the market there, but if this was in the Northeast, I would
think a piano like this would be worth about $20,000 -- $25,000.
Subtract from that what you think it needs to make it better, but
without replacing parts, or refinishing the case, and subtract what you
think is the economic difference between the Northeast and western
Idaho. 
 
Hope this helps. 
 
Wim 
 

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