[pianotech] Haynes baby grand

[David Stocker]

I talk to several people in similar situations every year. I always boil the 
conversation to this question:

Would you, under any circumstances, get rid of this piano?

If the answer is yes, we can talk about what they want to own, is the piano 
or would another do better.

If the answer is no, if they want it to play, the cost and eventual value 
are part of the discussion, but hardly matter.

If it is not a top name instrument (Steinway, M & H, etc.) I would also say 
that the name doesn't matter much at all, the present condition of the piano 
is all that counts.

Dave Stocker, RPT
Tumwater, WA

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From: "Rob McCall" <rob at mccallpiano.com>
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 23:39
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Haynes baby grand

> Thanks Joe and Wim,
>
> This piano says "Haynes" on the fallboard so I'm guessing it was an 
> attempt to capitalize on the Haines Bros. name. I mentioned to the  owner 
> that they could have a $2,000 piano right now, they could invest  $5-10K 
> in it and end up with a $3,000 piano.  She said, "I don't  care.  I don't 
> want a new piano, this one means too much to me."
>
> I know Joe said to leave the emotion out of it, and generally I think 
> that's a good idea, but when the emotional bond runs this deep and 
> they're well informed as to the costs and end values, I'm inclined to  do 
> it for them.
>
> Which brings to mind another question.  She had asked if she could  help 
> with some of the work. Pulling out tuning pins, strings, etc. I  know 
> she's not afraid of doing grunt labor...
>
> What is everyone's thought on that?  Would you cut some of the labor  cost 
> of rebuilding for the owner's sweat equity?  Does this open other  issues 
> I can't think of right now?
>
> She doesn't want to work on any of the technical stuff, action, etc.,  she 
> just wants to get her hands dirty and help.  BTW, she helps  rebuild 
> engines for dragsters with her husband so she has some  skills...  :-)
>
> Regards,
>
> Rob McCall
> Murrieta, CA
>
> On Sep 11, 2009, at 11:14 , wimblees at aol.com wrote:
>
>> Rob
>>
>> I rebuilt a Haines Bros. a couple of decades ago. It was eventually 
>> bought by a local theater company who used it in their rehearsal  studio. 
>> It wasn't the greatest instrument I had ever done, but it  held up nice, 
>> and served it's purpose.
>>
>> Rebuilding a piano like this is not worth what it could possibly  bring 
>> on the open market. But in this case, if the customer has  strong 
>> sentimental attachments to it, as long as she understands  that for the 
>> same amount of money she can buy a brand new instrument  in much better 
>> condition, go ahead and give her a proposal to do the  work.
>>
>> Wim
>>
>
>