[pianotech] Rebuilding criteria (yeah, I changed the subject.<G>)

[Terry Farrell]

In my mind, refurbish = recondition. Also, I think it is more informative to not necessarily state what is done to what parts to qualify for a refurbish/rebuild/remanufacture, but rather state what the outcome goal is and the overall approach. For example:

Repair:  Goal is to make the thing that is broken work properly.

Refurbish:  Goal is to take what you've got and make the piano work as well as it reasonably can with minimal if any parts replacement (maybe some felt, etc.).

Rebuild:  Goal is to approach making the piano somewhere between nearly new and very good performing. Non-wearing parts (i.e. parts that usually are in serviceable condition 100 years after manufacture) are refinished/repaired (plate, case, keybed, keyframe, action rails), ALL parts that commonly wear are inspected and either reconditioned/refurbished, repaired, rebuilt or replaced (i.e. soundboard, bridges, action parts, etc.) to the point where they can function similar to new.

Remanufacture: Goal is a new piano that looks and performs at least as good as new if not better. Non-wearing parts (i.e. parts that usually are in serviceable condition 100 years after manufacture) are refinished/repaired and may be modified (plate, case, keybed, keyframe, action rails), ALL parts that commonly wear are replaced with new or better and may be modified (i.e. soundboard, bridges, action parts, etc.).

How does that sound?

It's still a bit nebulous/grey, but I like it!

Terry Farrell

On Aug 1, 2012, at 10:49 PM, Dale Erwin wrote:

> Can ya give one for refurbish.  
>  Nowthis is my personal nebulous favorite.  YA know? It was refurbished? Now this can mean just about anything to anyone.
> Thanks Bill
> 
> Dale Erwin R.P.T.
> Erwin's Piano Restoration Inc.
> Mason & Hamlin/Steinway/U.S. pianos
> www.Erwinspiano.com
> Phone: 209-577-8397
> 
>  
>   
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: William Monroe <bill at a440piano.net>
> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Wed, Aug 1, 2012 7:43 pm
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Rebuilding criteria (yeah, I changed the subject.<G>)
> 
> I think the problem with defining these terms is that they are so variable from piano to piano - it just depends upon what the piano needs.  For example, I use the following definitions (which I believer are from the Piano Book):
> 
> Repair: Fixing isolated or individual problems that a piano may have - e.g. a broken hammer shank, a non-functioning key.
> Restoring/Reconditioning: Improving the overall quality of a piano by cleaning, lubricating, resurfacing, or replacing worn felts or leathers, but not replacing parts, per se.
> Rebuilding: Improving the overall quality of a piano including new parts. Rebuilding may or may not involve refinishing the case.
> Remanufacturing: Improving the overall quality of a piano, including new parts, soundboard, refinishing the case, and possibly making design changes.
> 
> You'll note, for example, the lack of reference to soundboard replacement in the rebuilding definition.  I don't think a soundboard has to be replaced for a piano to be considered fully (totally, completely, whateverly) rebuilt - others may disagree.  However, in some cases, the soundboard absolutely has to be replaced in order to consider an instrument rebuilt.  It just depends.  So I prefer to define these terms by virtue of the general process, the approach, rather than a specific list of items that must be included in order to consider the piano "rebuilt" (or remanufactured, or restored).
> 
> My 2 cents,
> William R. Monroe
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 9:13 PM, Encore Pianos <encorepianos at metrocast.net> wrote:
> That was my attempt at humor.  I do think those terms should be standardized
> as to what those terms would entail.  We can't help what our customers end
> up thinking.
> 
> Will
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
> Of Joseph Garrett
> Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 8:49 PM
> To: pianotech
> Subject: [pianotech] Rebuilding criteria (yeah, I changed the subject.<G>)
> 
> Will Truitt said:
> "I know what a REAL REBUILD entails, but I'm not telling, and you can't pry
> it out of me...... :-)"
> 
> Will
> Dagnabit! Thar it is! The same stuff.....nobody's talkin'!<G> This is an
> age-old problem. Is there a possibility that,...maybe...WE could do
> something about that?
> Regards,
> Joe
> 
> 
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> Captain of the Tool Police
> Squares R I
> 
> 
> 

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