Bird Cage Rebuilding?

[DGPEAKE@AOL.COM]

Talk to Joe Garrett, RPT at 503-357-4713. He has rebuilt a lot of antiques 
including Birdcage pianos.

Dave Peake, RPT
Portland Chapter
Oregon City, OR


In a message dated 05/24/2000 10:17:41 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
ppoulson@jps.net writes:

<< Hello Pianotechers! This message goes out to those of you with experience 
in
 working on birdcage pianos, and most especially to any Brits out there.  I
 have read that you fortunate fellows in Great Britain still service these
 old instruments more commonly than we Yanks do.  
     Normally I would run screaming from one of these old relics, but this
 one does seem to have remote possibilities of being usable.  It has a two
 piece metal plate, and basically modern action parts except for the
 overdampers.  It is a Wessex by Milson, #70283.  I can't date it with
 Pierce's Piano Atlas, and wondered if there is anyone with a book that shows
 this brand.  The owners bought it at an antique store, with out consulting a
 technician of course, and want to know what it would take to restore it.  I
 gave them all the usual caveats about birdcage pianos, and if it wasn't for
 the partially modern design of the piano I would flatly refuse to work on
 it.  Has anyone had any experience rebuilding these things? It needs new
 strings, dampers, key rebushing,  and a complete regulation. The soundboard
 and pinblock are in reasonably good condition, especially for their age. 
 Interestingly enough the hammers have very little wear, and may have been
 replace, or just not used much. 
     Thanks for your input.  Patrick Poulson, RPT 
 
 
  >>