> Most of the pianos were Steinways. Was this > coincidence? Hi Bob, No, not a coincidence. While an owner will often contract for rebuild/redesign work exceeding the realistic market value of their piano, speculative work for resale demands keeping costs within expected market ranges. I didn't make a complete survey, but I think most of these pianos are for sale, and the prices commanded by the fallboard name make this level of speculative work feasible. Eating regularly is a habit most of us are reluctant to risk. There's no reason any piano with a decent rim and plate couldn't be given the same treatments and render similar results, but the lower sales potential would mean we're working cheap. >I thought all of the pianos exhibited a > high level of craftsmanship and sounded great. Thank > you for bringing these fine instruments and for > sharing so freely with us all! I'm pleased that so many techs finally got the chance to get a sampling of the non-traditional approaches to rebuilding that some of us are doing, compared heads up to the high end traditional standard methods. > Wouldn't it be interesting to see what can be done > with other brands, maybe some that would offer a > greater challenge in bringing about improvements? It is interesting, and the design enhancements used on the non-traditionally rebuilt pianos work just as well on less revered instruments, with no appreciably greater challenge involved. > Can you say that a particular aspect (probably one > that is unchangeable) of a piano is the most > determining factor in how well a rebuild will turn > out? Rim quality? Rim and plate, for starters, and a hardwood belly bar would be considerably easier to work with than Steinway's under built spruce one. Then again, I'd love to get my hands on a 6-7 foot Yamaha (contract job) to see what I could do with a too soft "Select Hardwood" rim. I think it's quite doable. Ron N
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