different focus was Re: Bass strings/Willem's response

[Greg Casper]

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Wim:

In what area of the world are you working? I'm gonna send my re-stringing
work to you, since the estimates I get around here if I want to farm it out
averages $1000 - $1500 for bass strings alone, and near $3500 for the whole
piano. At the rates you quoted, I could almost ship the piano to you, pay
your rates and STILL come out ahead!

Greg Casper
San Jose, CA
  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf Of
Wimblees@AOL.COM
  Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 10:54 AM
  To: pianotech@ptg.org
  Subject: different focus was Re: Bass strings/Willem's response


  Somehow the focus on this subject changed from what the original intent of
the post was, and I wound up trying to defend string breakage, which was not
my initial intent. I would like to go back to the original question, and
discuss that topic.

  If I recall, the original question was, "can bass strings be replaced
without damaging the piano?" To which Joe said, the treble strings should be
replaced also. To which I responded they don't have to be replaced. Somehow
that got to be interpreted that I wouldn't replace strings even though they
loose elasticity, plastic, become corroded, rusted, get fatigued, etc.

  I agree with all of those reasons treble strings should be replaced. But
the one reason, which was my point, that treble strings do not be replaced
is the sound, or tone of the strings. By all means, if the strings are
breaking like crazy, because of any or all of the above reasons, then yes,
they should be replaced. But I don't think replacing them will change the
tone of the piano. There are other factors that will change the tone, but
not the new strings themselves.

  The other thing to consider on this 100 year old piano is the cost factor.
Is it really worth replacing the treble strings on this piano? There is a
hell of lot more labor involved to restring the entire piano, than just to
do the bass strings.  A new set of bass strings, including the parts and the
labor to install them, and the couple of trips back to retune, is in the
neighborhood of $300 - $400.  To restring the entire piano, including the
trips back to retune, is in the neighborhood of $1500 - $2000. (That's if it
is done in the shop. If they piano has to be moved, add a couple of hundred
dollars.)  So one has to ask the question, is the piano worth spending 3 to
4 times as much money on? And for a 100 year old upright, my answer would be
no.

  Wim

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