Grand rebuilding

[Richard Moody]

About every three years a client or prospective client calls about
buying a piano needing work.  I make an over the phone estimate
for various restoration-rebuilding procedures with a
"guarantee"---that if the client is not satisfied I waive the
rebuilding price, pay them the purchase price (in the future equal
to the time I spent including their decision) and keep the piano.
So far no takers but then again only 3 inquires in the last 10
years.  Rural areas  don't turn up much rebuilding opportunities.
And some work I would have to farm out (with the stipulation I get
to assist) like pinblock  and sound board replacement, or my first
Wapin installation.

Still I am curious, what was the purchase price of this 6'4 " 1902
Knabe?
What is the price of a new Kawai 6'4"   and then a 10 year old
Kawai?
   ---rm



----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Brekne <Richard.Brekne@grieg.uib.no>
To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 5:27 PM
Subject: Re: Knabe Grand


> Terry, I am curious about this. You say you helped a client buy
the
> piano for rebuild. How much (roughly) is the customers final
total bill
> going to be and how long are you expecting to have the piano at
your
> shop before delivery to him ?
>
> I am curious as I dont think this kind of a deal would happen
over here.
> Customers here expect to just "take it home" as it were, when
they buy.
> To lay out some amount of money, deliver the instrument to a
shop for
> rebuild, much less for some extended time frame..... nah....
wouldnt
> happen here. How do you sell folks on this kind of a deal ?
>
> Cheers
> RicB
>
> Farrell wrote:
> >
> > Just thought I would share my latest acquisition of sorts. I
helped one of my clients purchase a 1902 Knabe 6' 4" grand for
full rebuild - soundboard, etc. It was delivered to my shop today.
This is a very impressive piano. Open pinblock (glued to
stretcher). Three bridges - nine wound tricords on the
tenor/transition bridge. And the rim - the rim - a full 2-7/8
inches of 14 ply ash. Not a trace of delamination. Truly massive.
Piano appears to have had a kind first 100 years. Five frame
members under board. Won't get to this one for a while, but am
very much looking forward to it! They sure built those pianos back
then.
> >
> > Del had shared a bit of advice to me regarding selection of
this piano. Thanks Del. It looks like a real winner.
> >
> > Terry Farrell
> > _______________________________________________
>
> --