"New" old uprights

[Richard Moody]

.  We do about 20 complete
> upright restorations per year at an average cost of 7k to 8k and the
volume
> goes up each year.  I am always sure to tell the customer that this is not
an
> investement and that it is likely that they will never break even.  Though
> there is a piano dealer located about 100 miles from here who specializes
in
> restored old uprights.  He has a waiting list of customers for his pianos
at
> $7500.00 apiece.
> David Koelzer
> DFW Texas

I still have not heard modern uprights sounding as good as the classics from
1890-1915.   And this is in unrestored condition. Oh yes there was a $10,000
new Grotrian upright , but  did not sound $9,000 than 1910 Knabe (original)
I recently tuned.   I bet they would be hard pressed to get more than $500
for that.
"No one wants those big old uprights anymore, they are so hard to move".
Glad you have the business, I would be happy with just ONE $7k upright
restoration or one player restoration even.     ---ric