>
>From: paul.price@symbios.com
>
> My wife was given a 1927 Mason and Hamlin , Model : RT, serial # 35345
> that has been in storage for 8 years.  We are considering refurbishing,
> at considerable cost.  The question is, is it worth it?
>
> It needs a new player (Ampico I believe) and may or may not need a new
> sound board, along with other minor but costly repairs (we have been
> told it will cost between 6K and 13K to refurbish......
>
> Do we refurbish it??
>

A rebuilder in this area totally rebuilds pianos for 18K.  This includes
everything that could be replaced, soundboard, keytops, pinblock, strings,
damper heads and felts, damper wires, action parts, ALL felts, finish, etc.
The whole enchilada!!  Now on top of that, an Ampico player mechanism,
hmmmmm, another 6 to 7K.  Those are prices in this area.  I wouldn't charge
that much but he's got employees, two shops, and at last count, I believe 9
kids to keep going.  Your price sounds a little more in line with what I
would charge.

As for "is it worth it?", .... M & H made some really nice pianos.  They
were bought out by Aeolian some time back.  Aeolian did not do as well at
making them.  I assume you have an original since it has the Ampico player
in it and I haven't taken the time to look up the serial number.  Providing
the instrument is still structurally sound, and the piano still has
potential of being as great as it was when it was new, I'd venture to say
that it is most definitely worth the effort and money.  If your appreciation
for pianos is nill, the money is wasted.  Everything needs to be put in
perspective.  I've never heard a doggy M & H made by the original company.
I would dearly love to own or have access to one to play at my leisure.
Resale of the piano, totally redone, providing you can find a buyer
interrested in a player, would be something you'd have to pursue at a more
local level.  Prices around here for player pianos is dropping really fast,
no matter what condition they're in.  M & H grands do very well here.  It's
hard to find one for under 10K in good shape.  Rebuilt would bring
considerably more, twice that or better I'd venture to guess.

Lar

•                           Larry Fisher RPT, Metro Portland, Oregon's
                      Factory Preferred Installer for PianoDisc Products
                     phone 360-256-2999 or Email larryf@pacifier.com
                            If at first it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer