Odd Query:

[Robert Goodale]

Is it possible, certainly.  In all likelyhood doing such a project would be
totaly economically unjustified.  There are numerous "digital grands" out there
to choose from in a variety qualities and features.  As an electronic
instrument the sound quality would be the same.  By the time you buy a
keyboard, modify the case including cosmetics, purchase speakers and install
them, and rig the pedals so that they interface with the keyboard, I think you
will find that you have spent most of what it would cost to purchase a new
instrument built specifically as a digital grand.  Furthermore you may run into
warranty problems should anything go wrong with the keyboard.  My suggestion is
to forget it.  If the customer wants a digital grand piano, tell them to buy a
digital grand piano.

Rob Goodale, RPT
Las Vegas, NV

Cole Wheeler wrote:

> Hello-
>
> I joined this list for the specific purpose of posting the one question
> which will follow.  The concept involved in this question will undoubtedly
> make some of the members of this forum squirm and shudder with the revulsion
> one of our Puritan forefathers might experience upon viewing the South Park
> movie.  That said, here's my question:
>    Has anyone heard of or know of any resources regarding 'retrofitting' an
> apartment-sized baby grand body with an electronic, fully weighted, 88 key
> keyboard, amp and speakers?
>    The piano in question is of almost no consequence; a Heller brand (the
> company made furniture, not instruments) apartment baby grand that has seen
> much climatic abuse and four boisterous children, now adults.  The harp is
> seriously warped and shot.  The keys are shot.  The hammers are shot.
> Refurbishing as a traditional piano is prohibitively expensive, considering
> the initial quality of the instrument.  The box, however, is
> lovely--wonderful legs, lovely top and sides.
>    The owner of this piano is extremely attached to it, for sentimental
> reasons only.  So why not, I ask myself, gut the thing and put a decent
> fully-weighted, 88 key electronic keyboard with an amp and some speakers
> inside?  A 'virtual' piano, if you will.
>
> Please refrain from responding if all you have to offer is a moral diatribe
> on the heresy I have proposed.  If you've ever heard of anyone else doing
> this, however, please forward any and all information you may have.
>
> Most appreciatively,
>
> Cole Wheeler