Reading about the Herr collection debacle is heart-wrenching -- and
then to hear that a Steinway D may be hacked up seems unfathomable.
It's such an unusual and amazing instrument; who would think that
cutting it down would serve _any_ purpose.  Being a player, I suppose
it does have the elongated keys; maybe that's what they are thinking
of "fixing."

I do know of a rebuilder near me that was not only _given_ a 9-foot
grand (I forget the make, but was one of the ones held in high regard)
but the school even hoisted it out of a second-story window for them.
Granted, it needed everything done to it (soundboard, bridges,
pinblock, hammers, damper, etc.) but that's what these folks specialize
in.  They won't make "big bucks" doing it, but they will return a great
instrument to the world, and actually that's more what they find
rewarding than the money.  I'm not saying they don't need the money,
but they also aren't getting rich off the endeavor.  For what I've seen
them put into a piano, the 'free' price makes sense!

I just got an email from another person who needs their old player
gone; it's been in the family many decades, but now they're changing
their lifestyle.  Fortunately they too are more interested in it
finding a good home than in selling it.  I'll put it in the next MMD
"FS On The Internet" list.

Play 'em if ya got 'em!

David Dewey
Oroville, California