Choice

[Richard Brekne]

Hmmm... the plot thickens a bit.. grin. Not knowing a thing about your dealer,
I have no idea how to advise you on this part, except to say that trust is
paramount in such dealings, and trust is something that is earned and built
over time. I assume you know what to do in this regard.

As far as checking whether or not Bechstein actually did the repair, jot down
the serial number on the piano and call them. They will certainly be able to
tell you whether they did the job or not. On the side, seems a bit odd that
such a piano would be shipped to Germany to be repaired, then shipped back to
the states to be sold in this fellows store, but... stranger things happen
often enough.

About the soundboard. You will find many who mean one thing, and many who mean
another. It is pretty much agreed upon that cracks in themselves have little
or nothing to do with the boards ability to radiat sound. They are indicitive,
however, of a less then er... perfect climatic life. As far as I know there is
no way of restoring the origional crown outside of removing the ribs while
repairing the board, but the rebuilding experts on the list will be able to
say more about that then I. Since the board was shimmed and not pulled and
glued together (common if ribs are removed), I gotta assume the ribs were not
removed. This points in the direction of somewhat reduced crown from its
origional new shape. That isnt necessarily bad. As long as there is some
crown, and the board is strong. If it sounds sweet, thats a good sign. You can
normally hear a dead spot in a bad board right away.

The longevity of the old board is to a very large degree a matter of climate
control. If it stays stable and within reasonable parameters, say 35 to 50 %,
it should do ok for a very long time. If not... well its old and cant take as
much such abuse as a newer board.

Check to see what kind of crown it has, give the board a good solid looking
over. Listen closely to the piano over all registers, and be sure this rough
sound you mention is not comeing from the board, but is an intonation matter.
If in doubt in the end, recommend the M&H. Better safe then sorry... or what ?

My advice, for what it is worth.

Richard Brekne
I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway

David ilvedson wrote:

> Well as I said in my post this board had a number of shims
> (well done!).  Would this mean the board was severely
> damaged?  I did not check the crown.  I assume the factory
> set this right.  How can I know if this was indeed factory work?
> The dealer is an idiot and wouldn't show me the documents
> even though I was the hotel's representative.  He would only
> show them to the Hotel.  His reputation is renown.  You need
> an appointment to look at his pianos.
>
> David I.
>
> Date sent:              Wed, 15 Dec 1999 23:13:08 +0100
> From:                   Richard Brekne <richardb@c2i.net>
> To:                     pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject:                Re: Choice
> Send reply to:          pianotech@ptg.org
>
> > Tough call, and I suppose it has a lot to do with how well the old board
> > is going to hold up, what you personally think of old boards, and how
> > the customer is going to react to the choice between old and new.
> >
> > I have heard arguments against old wood, and havent seen anything that I
> > can say rules out old wood without further comment. I have also heard
> > some good things about old wood that seem more seductive, tho are
> > doubtless more...er shall we say "mystic" in character.  Amoung these
> > are voices expounding upone the ability of wood to "mature" acoustically
> > over time. I have often wondered if there is something too this. Given a
> > reasonably good life sequence of seasons it may be that the panel
> > settles into a more stable, if reduced, crown and that this coupled with
> > the age of the wood and cell structure has some positive effect. In any
> > case I have not seen anything that makes me belive this is outright
> > hogwash. It is true that some old soundboards do sound wonderfull, and
> > given a decently stable environment last a very long time.
> >
> > My choice would be influenced by the type of usage and the kind of care
> > the hotel would be likely to provide for, in addition to a good look at
> > the climate stability. If these folks are willing to take really good
> > care of a piano.. I'd recommend the Bechstein hands down. I just love
> > these pianos. Wonderfully bright sound without all that duplex stuff to
> > potentially cloud the pictures (at least the new ones are like this). On
> > the other hand, if it looks like they are going to run roughride on the
> > instrument, go with a new M&H. They are fine pianos, and new will
> > definatly hold up under hard use and poor climate longer then the old
> > Bechstein.
> >
> > My opinion.  grin
> >
> > Richard Brekne
> > I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F.
> > Bergen, Norway
> >
> > David ilvedson wrote:
> >
> > > List,
> > >
> > > I have a Hotel which just informed they are opening a new
> > > fancy restaurant.  They want a ebony, high polish seven foot
> > > grand.  I was sent to look at a Bechstein B, built at the turn of
> > > the century and restored in the Bechstein factory.  It is
> > > beautiful!  Those round turned legs.  Here is what was done:
> > > New Renner action, (The tone is raw like it hasn't been voiced
> > > or gone over), numerous ivories replaced (well-done but the
> > > color  match isn't so great) new pinblock, restrung, case and
> > > plate refinished (fabulous, like a new, hey it is new!).  Here is
> > > the kicker though, the soundboard was shimmed and repaired,
> > > refinished and  original bridge.  Shimming work was
> > > immaculate.  Now they can get a brand new Mason & Hamlin
> > > BB for same price that the dealer is asking for the Bechstein.
> > > My advice was to go for the BB rather than take a chance on
> > > a 100 year old board.  Unfortunately I think the designer is
> > > going to really love those Bechstein legs.
> > >
> > > What do you think?
> > >
> > > David Ilvedson, RPT
> > > Pacifica, CA
> > > ilvey@jps.net
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA
> ilvey@jps.net