Rich Schaffer wrote in 030910 MMDigest:

> Recently I consulted an expert in the restoration of Wurlitzer 125
> needing "the works", and the final repair estimate exceeded the
> known value of the instrument by $17,000.
>
> Was this an extreme estimate?  Where does one draw the line on
> restoring an item if the labor cost to repair and rebuild exceed
> the value?

I think this fellow's estimate was well in line.  As a restorer, this
whole restoration vs. market value is one of my pet peeves.  There are
three aspects to this issue:

1.  When I'm out giving estimates and potential clients ask me what
their instrument is worth, I wince, because usually the cost of
restoration always exceeds the market value.  My temptation is to say,
"I'm a restorer, not an appraiser", but I tell them the truth and in
these cases I usually don't get the job.  On the other hand, when I'm
with a client that does accept my estimate, the subject of value never
comes up.

2. In the past there have been a lot of collectors and dealers that
have made a profit on these instruments, particularly in the 1970s when
you could buy a player, coin piano, band organ, or musical box playing
somewhat okay for under a few hundred dollars.

That is not the case any more.  Most of this stuff needs some major
attention: pianos need restringing and new hammers, etc.; band organs need
new pipes, cases and other parts; screw holes are rotted out and pumps
are delaminating.  Squirting neat's-foot oil on valves and gaskets
doesn't work anymore...

Then there is some stuff that has just been rebuilt to death.  So much
of my work now is fabricating new stacks, pipe chests, pumps and other
parts, as time and the elements and cobbling has taken its toll.  Which
brings us to #3:

3.  Because these instruments need so much attention, a good rebuilder
these days must be adept at many skills.  He must be a master wood-,
leather- and metal-worker all in one.  When I started 28 years ago,
all had was a glue pot and a belt sander.  Now I have a fully equipped
wood shop and I'm starting to invest and learn about metal working
machinery.  One of the reasons I have to keep expanding my knowledge
and equipment is that there are fewer and fewer machinists and
woodshops that will take on small custom jobs.  Maintaining all these
tools costs money (and space).

When I do an estimate I have to base it solely on the amount of time
and resources that a project requires.  If that figure is over the
instruments "market value", then so be it.

The bottom line here is: If you want a nicely restored, great sounding
instrument, what's it worth to _you?_?

Brian Thornton - Short Mountain Music Works
Woodbury, TN  37190
tel.: 1-615-563-5814
http://www.shortmountainmusic.com/