[ Ref. Damon Atchison in 100208 MMDigest ]

Damon, out of desire in my teens to own player and reproducing pianos,
I learned to do most of the restoration work myself.  It was not great
quality work, but very rewarding for me and my family.  I hauled many
pianos out of barns and basements to wherever I lived.  At one time
I had an Ampico B grand in the backroom of my skateboard shop.  As my
career and salary progressed I could afford professional restoration
work on my instruments.

The big advantage that I still have from doing my own work is that
I understand what is involved in a professional rebuilding and I can
maintain and regulate most of instruments.  I agree that the biggest
problem is the cost of moving and housing instruments.  Good luck and
don't get too discouraged, yet.

Mike Kukral
Terre Haute, Indiana