[pianotech] Too Many Uprights

Farrell mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com
Wed, 11 Sep 2002 08:02:35 -0400


I feel that I have to apologize for this post before I even write it, but here goes....

I have a small rebuilding shop (900 sq. ft.). I currently have two grands I am working on, three more grands stored up on their sides, and six 100-year old uprights. Of the uprights, two are Mason & Hamlins, two are Steinways, and two are no-namers. Obviously, the four M&Hs and S&Ss have potential for remanufacturing/resale and they will be stored in my shop until they are rebuilt, but my question is the other two uprights.

They are both very nice rebuilding stock. These are not cheepie pianos. Many great features, Wendel, Nickel & Goss action, and a host of other features suggesting well-above average quality pianos.

I guess I am just not completely over that newbie thing of having a hard time junking an upright. Hey, 20 or 50 years from now, these things may well be irreplaceable - valuable rare fine instruments (after they are rewhatevered). Do we really want to trash the better examples of piano mfg. from this era?

I just don't have the room to store these. The only options I can think of are:

#1) store them in a hot, humid, mousy garage (in Florida, garage floods on occasion, but I can put them up on blocks), 

#2) rent a storage garage (arggggggg - no way - $$$$$), 

#3) give them away (but they don't really play - I can't do that), 

#4) bust 'em up (lot's of good nuts and bolts and screws - and I can cut up and play with the spruce from the soundboard - and the bass strings are lots of fun to do target practice with by setting up a target on the other side of the shop) - but gosh, this option seems criminal.

What should I do with the two no-name uprights? Vote for #1 through #4. Any other constructive ideas will be appreciated, and non-constructive ideas are OK too (just nothing anatomically compromising), as we all need an outlet. Thanks.

Anyone want a couple free quality uprights for rebuilding (both 1890s with very nice cases)???

Terry Farrell
  


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