[pianotech] Too Many Uprights

[Mike Kurta]

    Terry:
    I have a number of suggestions.  1.  See if there are any new tech
associates in your or nearby chapters that could make use of them as
training instruments to repair.  2.  Adopt one as a chapter project for
rebuilding, then either sell it or donate it to a local nursing home.
(Their pianos are often in poor shape).   3.  Remove the action, keys,
keyframe and keybed exposing the strings and give it to your local golf
driving range.  Set it out in the middle of the range so golfers can use it
for a target.  When the ball hits the strings, it creates an aural signal of
success.  (They do that with old cars here).  4.  If there is no hope, sell
tickets at your local fundraiser to take swings at it with a sledgehammer
(be careful of injury liability).  5.  Realize that we can't preserve every
piano ever made, give it last rites and break it up with rookie technicians
who will see how pianos are constructed.
    BTW, how do you target practice with bass strings??
    Mike Kurta
----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2002 8:02 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Too Many Uprights


> 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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