Pianotech

  • 1.  Bush and Lane Grand w/ Strauch Bros action

    Member
    Posted 01-18-2017 15:14

      I am hoping to hear from other techs about this brand and action. The serial number shows it to be built in 1899 and the action has original parts from what I could see. Not enough time to remove the action and look at the knuckles or shape of hammers, action flanges , key pins, key punchings, backchecks etc however tuning pin torque was only 20-30 inch lbs and it would need several pitch raises. On the plus side- no dead/tubby wound strings, no excess sideplay in keys , good damper felt. no missing strings broken parts

    Rosewood case with nice round fluted ice cream cone legs. I am trying to get a value as is and if it would be worth refurbishing the action or even replacing it. Along with hammers, flanges, shanks, whippens it would seem a new back action would need to be done.

    I saw something like it on ebay from 1906 with a price of $7,500 but this instrument (1899) needs some tlc on it. The board is sound , some bridge cap cracking but looks to be very solidly built with two long front to rear beams and a hefty plate.



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    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 2.  RE: Bush and Lane Grand w/ Strauch Bros action

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-18-2017 15:52
    James,
    I find it difficult to imagine that any 1899 piano would not have a flat board by now. Cracked bridges? Another sign that piano is ready for the junk heap. There comes a time where we must retire the 19th and early 20th century pianos. A complete restoration, including soundboard, on an 1899 piano is financially risky. Reconditioning without a soundboard would imply the rebuilding technician is confident the piano will sound reasonable for the next 50 years? That would be a stretch too far!
    Roger





  • 3.  RE: Bush and Lane Grand w/ Strauch Bros action

    Posted 01-18-2017 17:38
    Agree, unless full restoration is done, with installing a new action and key set. I personally wouldn't do it or recommend it, as there are other newer and more rebuildable pianos.

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    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany MS
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  • 4.  RE: Bush and Lane Grand w/ Strauch Bros action

    Member
    Posted 01-18-2017 19:00
    I am tending to agree that it is not worth the risk because the demand is not there at the other end. It would take a good amount of money, time and effort and I doubt there would be many waiting buyers for a brand that few today would recognize. I think it would be an interesting learning project for someone but there are better rebuildable pianos. If I had a large shop with a place I could put it I would consider it but that is not the case. As they say on shark tank. I'm out. 

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    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 5.  RE: Bush and Lane Grand w/ Strauch Bros action

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-18-2017 21:49
    Both Bush and Lane and Strauch are premium brands, and there aren't that many left.

    Sadly, these days it's very hard to get enough money to look after pianos like these, but I hate to see them just tossed away. No one is building anything like this these days.

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    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
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  • 6.  RE: Bush and Lane Grand w/ Strauch Bros action

    Posted 01-19-2017 02:41
    seeJames,

    Let's make technology work for us, not against us. We most of all are not poets.

    Why no photo? No smart phone camera photo? Do you know where you are going?

    Integrating piano technology to smart phones has been reduced to this?

    The cabinetry sounds fantastic. Sorry you lost your chance to capture it in video.

    It takes pictures too...
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    Benjamin Sloane
    Cincinnati OH
    513-257-8480
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  • 7.  RE: Bush and Lane Grand w/ Strauch Bros action

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-19-2017 07:27
    Sorry Benjamin, you're wrong. I don't take my phone into my customers home. (Don't want to be tempted to be interrupted, and in my mind it's rude.)

    And, I would never violate their privacy and trust, taking a picture without permission. My understanding is that most cell phones record location, and one might inadvertently record a priceless artwork.

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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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  • 8.  RE: Bush and Lane Grand w/ Strauch Bros action

    Posted 01-19-2017 08:42
    drzeeLarry,

    I agree it would be beneficial to ask permission from a client before posting a photo of anything in their home. I agree it would be beneficial to ask permission from a client to claim you worked with them on your website or other forums, and it is rude not to. I have photos I'd just assume post of me working with my heroes I share more selectively than is possible on instaface or tweeter or pinbletzkrieg.

    But unfortunately, PTGers name drop all the time. Sometimes we learn such unscrupulous behavior from the pianists we work with. Sometimes it is plain dishonest. I would never deny association with an institution of higher learning, however, for the indebtedness it creates to piano technicians in how little they pay all of us.

    I try to ignore a ringing phone when communicating with a client. But mine don't pay me enough to guarantee I will for reasons that have everything to do with the lack of integrity my colleagues in the arts have demonstrated to the public in ways that are impossible to exhibit in social media.

    Most of all I mean to say phones should not be used to tune pianos. Or anything but ears barring any disability. There are more useful applications for technology than to usurp live interaction with an audience.
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    Benjamin Sloane
    Cincinnati OH
    513-257-8480
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  • 9.  RE: Bush and Lane Grand w/ Strauch Bros action

    Member
    Posted 01-19-2017 20:02
    I do have photos because I needed to document certain things about the piano to clarify the report I will make. This is a house auction in which a company is brought in to sell contents usually in parallel with a house sale. I have been seeing it more and more as people are aging and being taken in by assisted living facilities, family or have passed. I ask permission before I spread photos around and when I take pictures the piano only is in the frame. I worked on an 1856 Steinway Grand last year and asked permission to take pictures and was given it. Next day the lady reneged and I erased all the pictures. So.... I carry my phone and ipad at all times even into a home. I do not answer the phone unless I have no other choice or am expecting a call back. Lots of work gets done in the driveway before and after the visit..

    BTW I am still looking for comments regarding BUSH and LANE. More reading suggests they were well made

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    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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