Uprights

[robert sadowski]

Ralph,
    When you said "some hairline cracks needed filling", what do you use
for this, if not a wood shim?  BTW, I've just redone a Behr Bros. upright
player and it sounds great!  I measured the low bass strings and their 3"
longer than my S & S "O".

Bob Sadowski

----------
> From: ralph m martin <rmartin30@juno.com>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: Uprights
> Date: Tuesday, November 04, 1997 11:44 PM
> 
> Hi Rog
> 
> Don't know if you've read the last few messages from yours truly, but I
> had just completed and old upright which I took on against my better
> judgement. The result was a piano that actually sounded better (to my
> ears) than the U1 you mention.
> I didn't however replace the butts but I should have and saved myself one
> heckuva lot of repinning. I know better, but sometimes we all go off on
> these dumb tangents some unknown reason  The SB in this dirty old thing
> was in next to perfect shape. Bridge needed some hairline cracks filled
> and there was plenty of downbearing.
> I must confess it "turned my head" a bit. when I was finished. I hadn't
> really anticipated this kind of tonal quality. When I was a kid employed
> for rebuilding these things, it was a long time ago and I had forgotten
> how very good some of these uprights were. Maybe a lot of us are missing
> the boat on these things.
> 
> best regards
> Ralph Martin 
>  .
>  
> On Tue, 04 Nov 1997 16:32:33 Roger Jolly <baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca>
> writes:
> >Hi All,
> >        Rebuilding worth it or not?  Well with the changes in society
> >towards collectables, I think those who advocate not rebuilding 
> >vertical
> >pianos are missing out on a growing segment of the piano economy.
> >  It is true that pin block and board replacement is hardly worth it 
> >at
> >this point in time, but for $4,000. Canadian, we can replace butts, 
> >shanks,
> >hammers,dampers, strings, oversize pins, and all key bed and bushing 
> >felt.
> >  On the better quality pianos of yester year that have good boards 
> >and
> >bridges,it is well worth the effort. One full week of work, a $1,000 
> >for
> >parts,
> >not bad income. The result of the refurbishing is invariably superior 
> >to
> >the touch and tone quality of say a Yamaha model U1 that retails in 
> >Canada
> >for $9,500
> >  We process at least one unit per month. Many of the customers will 
> >also
> >spend an extra $2.500 to have the case refinished.
> >  Good judgment is called for on what to rebuild, but believe me there 
> >is a
> >big market for our members out there. With practice the complete job 
> >can be
> >done in a week. 
> >  Regards to all.
> >Roger Jolly
> >University of Saskatchewan
> >Dept. of Music.
> >