There is a huge point to doing rebuilding work. A purist would have a view that only original parts using original design and features including the felts, glues, woods , fabrics, stains, keytops etc etc is the only way it is all brand xxx. Fortunately there are rebuilders like Mr Hughes that have spent a lifetime restoring instruments that deserve to be enjoyed, cherished, preserved and past forward. The spirit, designs, craftsmanship, sweat and tears as well as the soul of the piano are still in it. He has added his touch and talents to the mix .Someone created a piano and branded it with their name but I doubt every single component in it was made by that maker. In that sense the original was not original at all unless someone whittled the hammer shanks, drew strings from steel rod , cast their own plates, etc. The industrial revolution, standard parts, specialization, division of labor, use of machinery allowed the piano to be a social economic force.
I look at this type of rebuild in awe. What once took a factory of workers to create he has managed to do without a full factory The legacy of those who worked in the Steiff factory has been preserved and their spirit lives on . If anything the piano is an improved version of itself but it has the same heart, soul and body and beauty when it was first crafted.
BTW one of my newest clients is a retired Concert Pianist with a Steinway B that both David Hughes and Joyce Meekins rebuilt. It is one of the finest Steinways I have ever come across. The story goes it was in ruff shape like so many pianos we find.
------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 07-10-2022 15:09
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Reviving an old discussion about rebuilt pianos
I would suspect that if Charlie Stieff was still around to test it out he would say something to the effect of: "Mr. Hughes, you have done a wonderful job with this monstrosity. I tip my hat to you. Nice work. Perhaps you would like to come and work at my factory...?"
Anyone know how to say that in German?
Peter Grey Piano Doctor
------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 07-09-2022 19:45
From: Will Truitt
Subject: Reviving an old discussion about rebuilt pianos
Let's go down the rabbit hole again with Alice!! :-) There is no simple answer to this one that everyone will like.
The truest answer is to say that David Hughes took a 1913 Charles Steiff model x grand piano and restored it, making the following modifications: A, B, C, D, etc etc. Wim, Mr. Steiff is long dead, the company is defunct, and whatever patents it had have long expired. Mr. Hughes is the owner and he can call it whatever he wants. I think that most of all he hopes it will be called a very nice piano.
------------------------------
Will Truitt
Bristol NH
1-603-934-4882
Original Message:
Sent: 07-08-2022 21:40
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Reviving an old discussion about rebuilt pianos
After reading David Hughes article in the July Journal on rebuilding his Steiff piano I am, once again, curious as to the point in rebuilding when the original piano ceases to exist. When enough parts have been replaced with new and/or redesigned parts, and sophisticated modifications to original structure and functions have been employed, when is it no longer technically the same brand, or model, piano that it was at the beginning of the rebuild? While the piano that David created out of his 1913 Steiff is, in all regards, quite fantastic, and I applaud him in what he has created, is it not now a beautiful new Hughes piano, sn:001?
------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------