Don.
The reason you are able to repair those old uprights is because you've learned how to evaluate the instrument from top to bottom. You know from experience what's going to work, and won't, and how much it's going to cost to make the repairs. You even know, to some extend, the end results of your repairs.
But there are many techs out there, some with limited ability and/or experience, who think they can fix anything, and delve into the repairs. They don't know, or realize, that the reason the action is out of regulation is because the hammer butt leather is totally worn out, and when they adjust lost motion, it brings the spoon closer to the dampers, which now increases touch weight as the spoon contacts the lever sooner. Etc. Etc.
That is why repairing old pianos is so tricky, and expensive. And of there is one thing I've learned after 45 years in this business, there is no "quick fix" to a repair. I can't "just make it work", for a few bucks. I would rather step away from a piano than try to do a little, because then the customer expects the thing to work perfectly, even if they way they understand that it won't.
The other thing a lot of technicians should not try to repair old pianos is because even "back then", there were good quality pianos being made, and poor quality pianos. But some techs think that ALL old pianos are good.
That's why, in general, I stay away from them now. They are just not worth my time and effort.
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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-10-2019 07:49
From: Don Dalton
Subject: soundboard separating from ribs
Terry,
I've noticed in the piano tech world that there a lot of differing opinion about a lot of things, which is to be expected. I've noticed in particular that there are two camps regarding old pianos. One camp says, with so many good pianos out there for a reasonable price, or even free, why bother with the clunkers? For a while I switched over to that camp, but the more I work on older pianos, the more I fall into the other camp: these older pianos were generally very well made and deserve some loving care. However, I've turned down a few mold-infested pianos which really are junkers. There's a limit to everything and judgment is called for.
In this instance, as mentioned, the owners are committed to preserving the piano and have invested in a rebuilt action, although for the life of me I can't understand why it's so badly out of regulation. The regulation should be addressed first, and my recommendation to the client is to regulate the piano and then, at some point in the future, address the separations.
I've also noticed that people become attached to pianos, almost as if they were parts of the family. You wouldn't just get rid of your old worn-out dog and go for a new puppy, would you? I see acknowledging the customer's attachment as part of the business, although yes, judgment is called for and no one would want to mislead a customer into keeping a piano that truly is for the junkyard.
And then there's the matter of economics: if a church gets a donated grand piano that's in generally good shape but is an old clunker and that's all they can afford (i.e., free) then that's the way it is. A lot of different needs out there, a lot of different circumstances.
I appreciate the friendly responses!
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Don Dalton
Chester VT
Original Message:
Sent: 07-10-2019 07:04
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: soundboard separating from ribs
Don D. wrote: "At present, the separations don't seem to be affecting the sound."
As Wim suggested, why not just leave well enough alone. If it is not currently affecting sound, then why do anything now. If, some years down the road, if the prehistoric thing is still standing and someone wants to throw money at it, someone can always super-glue and duct-tape the thing back together.
IMHO, it is bad enough that people hang on to these shadow-of-what-they-were-originally worn-out bad sounding and bad playing relics - it's worse to dump money into it that could otherwise be spent on a newer replacement instrument.
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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
Original Message:
Sent: 07-09-2019 07:45
From: Don Dalton
Subject: soundboard separating from ribs
Hardman upright, soundboard separating from ribs, about 2" long separations in several places, accessible from back.
Considering using technique described by Igrec of drilling holes in ribs, from the back, to draw soundboard against them.
It seems to me that the worse that could happen is that the screws don't catch and the gaps get filled with glue instead: not a bad outcome for this old and worn-out piano.
At present, the separations don't seem to be affecting the sound.
Advice appreciated, and thanks.
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Don Dalton
Chester VT
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