Jon W. Miller wrote, in Digest 970524:

> This started with my post a couple weeks ago asking if it is *ever* okay
> to separate a piano from its mechanism. My concern was in regards to
> a Starck I have which is for all practical purposes (in its present
> condition) junk.
>
> I received several responses, most of which admonished me for having
> allowed such a thought to enter my mind.  The general consensus was
> "spend the $9000 to have it totally rebuilt - its worth it".
>
> IS IT?
>
> I do believe I'm missing something. I cannot understand how it would be
> "worth it" to put $9000 (or equivalent time) into an instrument, the
> value of which would *still* be less than a quarter of that amount. (I
> might add I own several other playable players of much better quality).
>
> I am interested in hearing opinions on how one justifies a rebuild in
> a case like this. I'm open to changing my opinion.
>
> Jon W. Miller
> Saint Paul MN

If you wish to sell your player for $2,250.00 after spending $9,000.00 on
it that is your right, but if I restore one like that I sell mine for
$12,000. to $15,000.00 depending upon its plain or fancy case.  If you
put that kind of restoration into your Starck, it would by far outshine
your other "better" pianos,  musically and mechanically.  It would be
dependable for about 20-30 years without anything other than tuning and
regulation.  I have instruments that are still going after that length of
time.   You are obviously used to players that have just been _fixed_ and
not really restored.  A completely restored player will look, sound, and
play exactly like it just left the factory.  It is, indeed a new piano
with an old re-crowned sound board.

D. L. Bullock
Piano World, St. Louis