Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

Spring Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > December 1999 > 1999.12.28 > 13Prev  Next


Economics of Ex-Player Piano
By John Dewey

In response to Darren Willard in the Mechanical Music Digest (99.12.27)
I feel very strongly that repairing the guts or at least getting a good
estimate on the cost of repair should be a top priority.

On more than one occasion I have had to tell a prospective customer
that their upright needed many thousands of dollars of work only to
have them tell me, "But I just spent $2000.00 to have it refinished!"
This is followed by great wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth.

In one memorable case the pin block was badly split, the moths had
eaten most of the felt in the piano (even started on the hammers),
both bridges were split and the bass one was loose, and you could see
the rust on the steel bass strings, etc. -- but it was very nicely
refinished.

As far as finding a player action, this is questionable since the piano
action spread (space between notes) did vary from piano to piano.  I do
not know how consistent Cable was.  Your first try might be a success
or you may never find a match.  Have you considered an after-market
electronic player like a PianoDisc?

Is the piano worth the cost if there is no sentimental value in it?
Sometimes pianos, like cars, come to the point where they are not worth
keeping.

John Dewey


(Message sent Tue 28 Dec 1999, 15:50:08 GMT, from time zone GMT-0600.)

Key Words in Subject:  Economics, Ex-Player, Piano

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page