This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment Hi Dale. A couple questions. Do you mind sharing what the total bill for = the upright was? (Did it get new board and action?) Did you do the new ivory? The reason I ask is that you, as is commonly done, elude to "the = realities as to worth and investment....", suggesting that the work may = not make financial sense (I understand your stand on the owner's right = to make these decisions). A big tall Yamaha (U3 or UX3) costs around = $10,000 to $12,000 and the big Steinways, M&H, Bechsteins, etc. cost = well over $20,000 new.=20 I suspect your client ended up with a new 1905 ornate upright. Does it = work and sound as well as these other pianos? My point here, obviously, = is that many techs will say it is not worth putting $12,000 to make = granny's old upright like new - yet a new Yamaha is "worth" $12,000. I've heard from some others that they "completely rebuild" uprights for = around $7,5000 (new board, action, refinish, etc.). I can't see how they = can do it for so cheap. I think one could do it for $12,000 OK. I'm = putting a new action and damper system in an old upright right now - I = wish I had kept track of the hours I have spent on it - there is a lot = of time-consuming work to make all work just perfectly. I'm charging way = too little, I fear (incl. hammers, butts, key bushings and fully rebuilt = damper system - all springs, etc.) - I should have charged much more. Just curious for another angle on some of this stuff? =20 Terry Farrell ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Erwinspiano@AOL.COM=20 To: pianotech@ptg.org=20 Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2001 8:21 PM Subject: Re: Bridging the cap?/ Restoration feasibility I recently did a very complete remanufacture on a 1905 ornate = upright. Originally well made but completely dilapidated. I explained = the realties as to worth and investment as you previously stated. If = the outcome can be assured and the client is not hung up on the = investment argument, which Terry was talking about earlier), then A = decision can be made. Hey you can fix any thing if you invest enough = time and money.=20 In this case the client got full belly package,case and veneer = reconstruction , re- finish and new keys with ivory. Her beloved = Victorian upright and child hood friend restored. Don't sell emotional = attachment down the river. What's the piano worth now? who cares if she = doesn't and she got a really great outcome. Value is ascribed in = different ways by us all.=20 My point is that there are individual situations where the = client will want to proceed after all our usual initial warnings of lack = of financial feasibility, tonal outcomes and other prudent counsel. =20 It is our job to give good counsel but it really is the clients = right to spend there money how they will . If we don't wish to take in a = certain job that's our free choice. I hope you can see where I,m coming = from.=20 My Two Cents worth-Dale Erwin=20 ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/13/d5/0b/c1/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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