Albarda 1970 four choir concert Harpsichord

[Allan D'Autremont]

At 03:33 PM 1/25/00 -0600, you wrote:
>I've just subscribed and wish to introduce myself. I have just reached ten
>years of service as University of Regina Piano Technician: 90 pianos and
>two harpsi-
>chords plus some outside venues. I'm an aural only for now tech, with some
>interest in eventually having electronic aids. 52 years old and did play at a
>gr X or better level on piano.We (Uof R) have a similar Albarda 3 choir
>concert
>size 9' made 1980 without the 16' rank, with hand levers. I had to reanchor
>the  
>block with tee nuts 4 years ago, so have experience with these,ours is spruce
>ply!!!
>   Saturday Feb 22 MM, viewed the 1970 Albarda 9' with seven foot pedals and
>two hand buff stops, this one made of Cherry-fir ply.16',8',coupler for lower
>manual,8',4', 8'lute upper manual.
>   The needed repairs are: reanchor pin block,after lowering pitch, put in
new
>top treble string spline 6 inches and put in all pins and sort out the birds
> nest of wires etc. The case has spread open 5/16 of an inch  on left side
>due to pin block separation. Tuning pins are tight,strings at low pitch.
>   It's of course unplayable, been in this condition since 1986, the rack
>capstans are at limit of adjustment nearly falling out,due to the 5/16 "warp
>of sides.
>   Lower manual keys have an unusual side travel,so maybe a lot of center 
>rail felt to replace,and pin hole work to do. Extreme lack of humidity,
>with key warp evident, lots of regulation of picking and racks before
>several pitch raises to A 415.
>   No capstans on delrin jacks, they appear to be fit.
>   My question is: Client is estate who need C dollar value at time of
>death,so that they can probate the will. Has anybody knowledge of what used
>Albardas this size have sold for?
>   The repair cost needs to allow for humidity changes over a few months,
>and since I won't necessarily do the repair myself be inclusive enough to
>allow someone elsewhere to accomplish it at a profit.
>   1970 was bought at about 14 thousand dollars Canadian.
>   My feeling is this situation is due owners' willful neglect and must 
>be reflected in the dollar numbers.I doubt the value can be much more than
>2500$  I haven't a really solid idea what the repair cost might be but think
>2500 not excessive- am I dreaming? 
>    Hope someone out there can shed some light on this, thanking you all in
>advance,Allan d'Autremont U of Regina piano tech.
>Sincerely,
>
>Allan D'Autremont
>
>
>
Sincerely,

Allan D'Autremont