John...ARCHIVES https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/2005-November/181553.html for Mr. Farrells post https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/2005-November/181561.html for Mr. Nossaman's post. David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: "John Dorr" <a440 at bresnan.net> To: pianotech at ptg.org Received: 3/13/2010 8:32:57 PM Subject: Re: [pianotech] 1880s Steinway Grand - viable project or no? >Thanks for your answers thus far, guys. I'd like to respond to what's been >sent so far. Pardon the formatting... my email server is very basic. I hope >my interspersed answers and comments are discernible. >Paul Revenko-Jones wrote: > "If you are not seriously determined to replace the board, you might rethink >that. The piano may have "measured crown" (vague meaning there), but it might >well be false crown with the board suspended by the strings across the >bridges. You would be restringing over the old board which may well collapse >further upon de-stringing, and then be asked to support new bearing. And how >are you measuring bearing, if I might ask? Just a thought. Otherwise, go for >it! :-)" > Ok, I measured downbearing by the ol' rocker guage. I put the middle >foot on the bridge and was able to rock it to each side. That's about all I >know of how to check it. Please, anybody, enlighten me of a better way. Last >I heard, (on this list) Steinway's "spec" was "SOME downbearing." So there is >that. Bearing that in mind, I didn't put a feeler guage under either end. > I remember reading somewhat recently about what you're talking about.. >that once the strings, which may be holding the board UP, are loosened that >the board may "oil-can" downwards. What would be the good test for this? I >would THINK they'd let me loosen all the strings and then re-check for crown, >because they're not using the piano anymore. Would that be a good test? > Thanks for reminding me of that possible pitfall! >Kent Swafford wrote: >"We happen to have an 1881 85-note A in the shop right now. It's a very nice >piano. We have had a few surprises (mostly because of some rebuilding work >that was done at Steinway in the 1940's) but modern parts appear to work just >fine. Name another product built in 1881 for which you can still buy parts!You >might have a good piano there." > Thanks for the encouragement, Kent. >In a message dated 3/13/2010 7:15:55 P.M. Central Standard Time, >davidlovepianos at comcast.net writes: >"If you are doing this as a spec project figure out a realistic value >whenit's done (that age and only 85 notes is worth less than a more >modernSteinway), 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), newpinblock/stretcher construction if it's one of those partial plates, >finish,case parts, action, moving, cost of selling (commissions). Figure out >thevalue added that you'd like to make on top of just your time (you must >havesome incentive for the risk you are taking other than just your >hourlywage). Add 6% per annum opportunity cost (what you might have earned >withthe money otherwise that will be tied up for period of time you will >beworking on it). Subtract the costs from the value and see if there's stilla >positive number that you can offer and expect a reasonable return. > CallSteinway first and see if they want to buy it as a historical record >pieceand compare. Keep in mind that it's a different market than it was >twoyears ago and the prospects for a change are uncertain, to say the least. > David Love" > Thanks, David. I'm in total agreement with Paul. That IS care. And, >yes, that's how I'll arrive at a bid price to buy it, with a 15% goof-up >factor on top of all estimates. I wouldn't have thought of calling Steinway >first, so thanks for that. And I wouldn't have factored in the time value of >money, so I'll do that, too. > Anybody got a rough idea of the value of a good 1881 Steinway 6 footer? > (Subtract 15-20% for Montana!) > I'm well aware of the downward trending of piano values, and that this >would be a highly speculative endeavor. But I'm also just intrigued with the >process of restoration, and I realize I'll probably have to "pay for my >education" in this process. To this point, I've only taken some beaters of no >great interest and made them play well and hold a tune. I want to take the >next step and restore some pianos, and learn about refinishing. (I'll farm >out this piano for the refinishing, though.) > Again, thanks to you who have responded thus far, and I hope this >discussion might also foster some interesting tangents on rebuilding pitfalls >and potholes - possibly even some anecdotes of unexpectedly wild success. (Do >those even exist?) >John Dorr, RPT >Helena, MT
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