[pianotech] another old PSO

[Paul T Williams]

I'm just thinking of new hammers and rehab. the cartage is something else. 
 Shanks, (which I would recommend also) add a bunch, so as you might 
think, not interested in the job.  I informed this gal that it would be a 
pretty big job.

Would even 5K be worth it for "whatever you can do" (sort of her plea)??

Paul




From:
"Tom Rhea, Jr." <rheapiano at cox.net>
To:
<pianotech at ptg.org>
Date:
09/01/2010 06:15 PM
Subject:
Re: [pianotech] another old PSO



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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