Restore 1900 Stieff Upright?

[Chris Currie]

Thanks, Mark.  This is definitely not an economic proposition for us; we are
not planning to resell the piano as long as it can be made to work well.  We
can't spend the moon, but we're willing to sink as much as we can into it if
the project is viable, especially since we hope our children will eventually
take up the instrument (my brother is a professional concert pianist, so I'm
hoping something is in the genes even though the aptitude isn't apparent in
me!).  I also appreciate the tip on checking the bridges (not sure what the
Baltimore connection is, though?); I've gotten a few other such tips and
these will come in handy when we have a rebuilder inspect the instrument.
Best wishes -- Chris

----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Dierauf <mdierauf@mediaone.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 3:02 PM
Subject: Re: Restore 1900 Stieff Upright?


>
> > - ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Chris Currie <c.currie@ieee.org>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Sent: February 01, 2000 1:20 PM
> > Subject: Restore 1900 Stieff Upright?
> >
> >
> ...Snip
> >
> > > *  I understand that many old uprights just simply aren't worth
> restoring,
> > > or simply can't be.  Do you think a 1900 Stieff is a promising
candidate
> > for
> > > such a project?
> >
> > You are going to get a bunch of advice on how to trash this piano.  I
take
> a
> > different view.  It will probably cost you between $6,000 and $12,000 to
> > rebuild/remanufacture this piano.  And, no, you won't be able to sell it
> for
> > that much when you are finished.  On the other hand, the $12,000 will
get
> > you a basically new action, pinblock inserts, a new soundboard and
> possibly
> > new bridges, a new stringing scale, etc.  Where else will you be able to
> get
> > a piano that will play and sound as good as this old piano for that kind
> of
> > money?
> >
> Snip...
>
> > Del
> > Delwin D Fandrich
> > Piano Designer & Builder
> > Hoquiam, Washington  USA
> > E.mail:  pianobuilders@olynet.com
> > Web Site:  http://pianobuilders.olynet.com/
> >
>
>   Del I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately (at least based upon my
> experience) most of these old upright are getting to be in pretty sad
shape,
> and there aren't many rebuilders willing to go to the trouble to restore
or
> remanufacture them the way they would a Steinway or Mason & Hamlin. As you
> said, the piano probably isn't worth the cost of such a rebuild, so the
> economics just aren't there. On the other hand, if somebody with the skill
> and experience to do the job properly can be found, and the customer is
> willing to pay for it I have little doubt that such a piano could make a
> fine instrument. It also might have some advantages over most new pianos,
> i.e. beautiful veneer, (possibly) attractive case styling and a bigger
more
> powerful tone due to it's larger size.
>
> - Mark
>
> P.S. Chris - Since Stieff is a Baltimore piano, have your technician look
> particularly at the bridges. Usually, the bridge capping material runs
cross
> grain across the bridges and so will definitely need replacement. In fact,
> these caps usually fall off once the strings are removed!
>