Pianotech

  • 1.  Advice on repair options

    Posted 05-20-2018 13:20
    Hi everyone,

    These are pictures of a 100-year-old Canadian upright. You know the type. It hasn't been tuned in ages, action feels loose, but it was her grandmother's piano etc. Recently, a pipe burst above this piano, and the water, from what I can tell, poured onto the centre of the keybed, then dripped a bit out the back. There is some corrosion on the strings near the bridges, but the bridges themselves don't appear to have been in contact with water -- no separation there. You can see that the keys in the middle of the keyboard are wonky.

    She would like to know how much to repair this. I'm not a rebuilder so I don't know what might be required to restore this -- if the keybed would need to be replaced and if it's even possible to repair those keys, which must be a bit warped. I also wanted to know what is possible in terms of not necessarily the "right" thing to do, but the "good enough" thing -- they are basically sentimentally attached to this piano and if it could simply function, even if it does not function well, that would make her happier than tossing the whole thing. I'm guessing trying to regulate this will be extremely unsatisfying to say the least. Has anyone managed to get warped keys to function alright with some sanding, for example? Any advice? (Other than "run away!") The capstans in the picture look wonky, too, but I think they must have looked like that before the burst pipe because I can't see any evidence of water there. I have also let her know that the consequences of water damage often don't reveal themselves for months, so there may be other issues still to come.

    As for her insurance claim ... I'm guessing the repairs would cost more than the piano is worth ...

    Any advice is much appreciated!

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    Andrea Routley
    Roberts Creek BC
    604-741-3390
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  • 2.  RE: Advice on repair options

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-20-2018 13:40
    Hi Andrea:
    I don't think it would take that much to straighten out those keys and relevel them. But, as you admitted you are not a rebuilder, I'd advise you to call in somebody who is. They'll know right away what can be done, and at what cost. Given all the issues you mentioned, I seriously doubt it will be as it once was. Let them keep it as a memory, but get something that will play reliably so they won't have to waste money fixing a lost cause. There are too many used pianos out there in decent shape to try to make this one playable again. Give them the straight scoop, and prepare to walk away. If you're the slightest bit reluctant, believe me when I say you'll regret it more when you come across something you didn't see and have to deal with. Usually on your dime.
    On your mark, get set, GO!
    FWIW.
    Paul McCloud
    San DIego




  • 3.  RE: Advice on repair options

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-20-2018 14:12
    Andrea

    As you said, only time will tell what the damage will be to the keys, but from the pictures, it look like all you need to do is level the keys, and straighten out the capstan posts. The capstan posts, by the way, were probably bent before the water damage.

    Recommend you come back in 6 months to check for additional damage.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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  • 4.  RE: Advice on repair options

    Posted 05-20-2018 14:19
    What I see is a key which was once broken and repaired which has come unglued because of the water. Not a big deal to fix.
    Next question is "what is the condition of the key buttons and bushings where the water soaked the keys. This may not be so hard to fix.
    You can just remove the bushings, which are probably swollen, to get a sense of how the keys fit and align with the wippens.
    If that looks good, consider rebushing, polishing the pins and replacing the underkey punchings.
    Was there any action damage? Dampers o.k.? Jacks still move?
    Any evidence of keybed warping or ungluing?

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    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
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  • 5.  RE: Advice on repair options

    Member
    Posted 05-20-2018 15:16
    i agree with wim and ed to a degree however i think the keysticks may have absorbed water and then warped. check the keybutton and bushings as well a the tightness of the key at the balance rail. water exposed/damaged pianos are hard to evaluate since the exposure has already occurred. down the road there can be multiple problems so make sure the client knows that to see if the keys have twisted/warped i would remove the half dozen or so tilted keys and the half dozen to the right and left. on a flat and level surface squeeze them all together and see if they are all tightly spaced and have an even height. if they are then there is probably problems on the rails, key bed, punchings,,
    key end cloth etc

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    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 6.  RE: Advice on repair options

    Posted 05-20-2018 19:54
    It is impossible to do a remote evaluation. Consult with a local tech who has experience with this and assist

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
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  • 7.  RE: Advice on repair options

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-21-2018 07:37
    Is it tunable? Would they still play it if it isn't?

    If the case is ornate, some take the music desk etc, however the parts are arranged on that piano, and hang them on the wall. That takes care of the memories and they can go ahead and get an instrument that grandma would probably prefer for them to be playing anyway.

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    Cindy Strehlow
    Urbana, IL
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  • 8.  RE: Advice on repair options

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-21-2018 07:49
    In these situations I've told people that grandma gave them the gift of music. The piano is just the box it came in.

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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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  • 9.  RE: Advice on repair options

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-21-2018 12:13
    Andrea, the Big 100-year-oldish Canadian Upright is a thing of beauty and extreme virtue. They are also built like the proverbial ...

    They may seem, locally, to be extremely abundant and getting worn out and therefore useless, but in the larger world, they are not all that common, and if our world ever becomes sane again, they would make extremely promising material for rebuilders at some point.

    If it's just a matter of fixing a few keys warped by getting wet, rebushing, squaring, releveling -- it should not even cost all that much. The Yamaha bending pliers will make short work of the tilted capstans, but the keys have to be straight and level first.

    What brand is this piano?

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    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
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