[pianotech] another old PSO

[Tom Rhea, Jr.]

Hi Paul,

 

$4-5K sounds awfully low.

 

If the Baldwin needs all the work that you've alluded to, then total up the
hammers, shanks, bushings, full regulation and anything else that you can
think of that it needs, add an estimate of labor (the "G" Piano Works Repair
Labor Guide is good for that) and don't forget moving charges to and from
her location.  You could probably do that ballpark estimate inside of an
hour.  I'd be willing to bet that your figure would come close to $10K and
that figure alone might dissuade her from getting it repaired.  I use the
50% rule.  If parts and labor are more than 50% of the cost of a new one,
get a new one.

 

Good luck!

 

Tom

 

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Paul T Williams
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 6:56 PM
To: CAUTlist; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] another old PSO

 

Hi all, 

Just went to a usual customer with a beautiful 9'2" Bluthner at a church - 3
years old which I love to take care of.  the pastor's sister asked me to
check out her DH Baldwin about 25 years old and its a POS or PSO as you may
wish to term it.  She is willing to spend thousands on it rather than
getting a new piano as $4-5K is better than $15K for  a new PSO.   

What do I tell her?.  Its a DH Baldwin, somebody filed the hammers off flat,
somebody else ruined the shanks, the hammer bushings are shot, it barely
plays, etc. 

Is it toast, or would $4-5K fix it if she reallyy wants to keep this thing
as she's very attached to it? The geometry is way out, and you know....it's
a mid '80's Samick.  I didn't check the action brackets, or anything
really...I just wanted to leave! I just looked for free and told her I would
get back to her with some good techs in the not so near area (there are
none) that might have time to do this sort of thing.  I'm too busy at UNL to
handle this sort of thing, and our director would not look nicely on my
bringing in a "stray" piano from the wilderness unless.......$$$$$ donated
to the SOM (maybe then, so) this is an "In Shop" project, to be sure. 

Is it worth it? Believe me the Bluthner is my favorite in NE!  If you were a
mechanic working on Fords, would you drive 1.5 hours to work on a Ferrari?
what a fantasic piano! I LOVE working on this piano. It's my favorite in the
state! It might truely be the best piano in NE. 

Best, Paul

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