[pianotech] 1880s Steinway Grand - viable project or no?

[David Love]

If you are doing this as a spec project figure out a realistic  value when
it's done (that age and only 85 notes is worth less than a more modern
Steinway), figure out the cost to get it there including a new soundboard
(if it's the original board it's too old no matter what it looks like), new
pinblock/stretcher construction if it's one of those partial plates, finish,
case parts, action, moving, cost of selling (commissions).  Figure out the
value added that you'd like to make on top of just your time (you must have
some incentive for the risk you are taking other than just your hourly
wage).  Add 6% per annum opportunity cost (what you might have earned with
the money otherwise that will be tied up for period of time you will be
working on it).  Subtract the costs from the value and see if there's still
a positive number that you can offer and expect a reasonable return.  Call
Steinway first and see if they want to buy it as a historical record piece
and compare.  Keep in mind that it's a different market than it was two
years ago and the prospects for a change are uncertain, to say the least.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of John Dorr
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 4:40 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] 1880s Steinway Grand - viable project or no?

Hi list,

I have an opportunity to pick up an 1881 or 1882 6 foot Steinway Grand for 
restoration.  (Serial #47546)  It has 85 keys, by the way, and another 
interesting thing is that the shift pedal moves the keys to the left, to the

bass side.  The action looks fairly conventional by today's standards.

It's in need (mostly) of a complete action rebuild, dampers, a pin block, 
stringing, and key tops.  The case is dinged up a mite, but all there and 
should be refinished.

The scale seems to be very good, judging by my Tunelab tuning curve, and the

sustain is pretty good, too.  Soundboard has no serious cracks and I did
find 
crown measured in a couple of locations.  Downbearing everywhere on each 
bridge, too.

Should I make an offer?  I'd be farming out (shipping from Montana) some of 
the work, but I'd try and tackle a great deal of it myself.

whaddaya think?  worth a venture?  or should I stay away from it?

Thanks,

John Dorr, RPT
Helena, MT