[pianotech] Tips for restoration of a 1926 Knabe grand?

[Roger Gable]

William & Barb, & et al,
Sorry, William & Barb to misread your response; it's not been my best day.
Based upon the generalized question, my answers were directed towards a technician whom I suspected was unfamiliar with rebuilding, and would easily over estimate their abilities, hence my generalized response.  In my career I've seen more bad work than good by such a scenario and felt it best to alert the "technician" of my observations.
Roger Gable 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Terry Farrell 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 2:26 PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tips for restoration of a 1926 Knabe grand?


    I find one underlying negative aspect to piano rebuilding; the customer is expecting more than the technician or piano can produce. 


  Then perhaps the piano owner has made a poor choice of a piano rebuilder. What's so unusual about that? Same thing happens in construction, auto repair and medicine. Why would it be different for pianos?


    This manifests itself when the technician is expecting more than is possible through naiveté or outright deception.


  Same comment as above applies here I should think. However, I agree that this is something the technician has some control over. So some techs are smucks - is this news?


    A 1926 Knabe may, in a long shot, be economically feasible if it lived in this area all its life.


  Or a Chickering or whatever. What do you mean "economically feasible"? You mean whether the owner can afford the piano or the rebuild?


    But I think, no matter how the economics spell out, that the end result could be disappointing.


  Of course, any work could be bad. But any work can be good also. Why do you suggest something might be disappointing? I don't understand what you are trying to say.


  Terry Farrell


  On Oct 8, 2010, at 2:54 PM, Roger Gable wrote:


    Nora,
       I agree with Barbara and William that these pianos are not much to write home about. Over the years I find one underlying negative aspect to piano rebuilding; the customer is expecting more than the technician or piano can produce. This manifests itself when the technician is expecting more than is possible through naiveté or outright deception. Engaging in such practice can damage your reputation in short order. There was a well known PTG member in this area who engage in a "rebuild" of a turn-of-the-century Steinway "A". The job entailed a new action and restringing. When the job was completed, the customer -- a well to do client - was grossly disappointed with the $10,000 expenditure. Why? Any seasoned technician could easily tell that the underlying problem was that it needed a new soundboard. Subsequently, the customer sent the piano out to a well known rebuilding technician, yielding a greater than expected outcome.
       Here in the Pacific Northwest, pianos live a much longer viable life than in areas such as the East coast or Gulf states. A 1926 Knabe may, in a long shot, be economically feasible if it lived in this area all its life. But I think, no matter how the economics spell out, that the end result could be disappointing. Nora, don't take this personally, but your asking the question suggests that you may have limited experience rebuilding. If so, be careful.

    Roger Gable
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