Piano dilemma, repair or not to repair, that is the question.

[Arpangel]

Sensible? This is Tony we're talking about?

Oh dear.....

We’re 90% there in getting this chap to do the work, I’m not sure about the others, high valuations in my old and cynical mind indicate a desire to make us think that a complete restoration is a major investment, it’s probably not, and our piano isn’t "an investment"
Most piano technicians and restorers aren’t even accepting work on grand pianos, and shops aren’t buying them, most people don’t have the space, or the money these days, it’s a very small market.

[Rich Hanson]

A friend of mine trained as a piano technician, I can ask his opinion for you if you like.

[Hugh Robjohns]

There are investments, and there are nice things to have and enjoy on a daily basis that have personal significance. They are almost never one and the same... So spend money on it because it's important to, not as an investment! If it ends up as a real financial asset in ten or twenty years for your nearest and dearest that's a bonus... but it shouldn't be the driving force IMHO because it's too insecure as an 'investment'.

But there's no point at all in having a piano that doesn't work properly. It's just taking up space and providing a source of frustration and annoyance.

So the options are really very simple:

1. Replace the piano with something that works properly and that you will enjoy using.

...or...

2. Repair the piano so that you will enjoy using it.

This doesn't necessarily mean a total refurbishment -- for example, marks on the case may have personal significance as reminders of its life, so having the woodwork re-polished may be an unnecessary expense that would actually detract from the instrument's character and significance to you. You could leave that to a future owner to do as it won't affect the piano's playability.

For me it the decision would simply come down to whether the mechanics of the piano can be restored to a good enough condition to make it a joy to play for less money than a decent replacement. If it can, great; if not, I'd replace it.

[Wurlitzer]

Sensible? This is Tony we're talking about?

Oh dear.....

We’re 90% there in getting this chap to do the work, I’m not sure about the others, high valuations in my old and cynical mind indicate a desire to make us think that a complete restoration is a major investment, it’s probably not, and our piano isn’t "an investment"
Most piano technicians and restorers aren’t even accepting work on grand pianos, and shops aren’t buying them, most people don’t have the space, or the money these days, it’s a very small market.

Aye. Acoustic pianos as a whole are a small market to beging with, and then grands are an even smaller subset of that. I don't know, but I'd imagine there'd be especially few buyers for baby grands. I say that because the vast majority of people wanting a piano for their home will get an upright for space reasons, but professional studios and venues will get a concert grand or close to (and newer, so it's reliable).

I think Hugh's got it absolutely right. You might want to get only that part of the work done that is necessary for the piano's working and leave the cosmetics. Or just get it all done and be done with it - 3 grand is not that much in the scheme of things for something that's going to be beautiful and important to your lives on so many levels. But you'll be doing it for the joy of it, not the money.

[Arpangel]

Sensible? This is Tony we're talking about?

Oh dear.....

We’re 90% there in getting this chap to do the work, I’m not sure about the others, high valuations in my old and cynical mind indicate a desire to make us think that a complete restoration is a major investment, it’s probably not, and our piano isn’t "an investment"
Most piano technicians and restorers aren’t even accepting work on grand pianos, and shops aren’t buying them, most people don’t have the space, or the money these days, it’s a very small market.

Aye. Acoustic pianos as a whole are a small market to beging with, and then grands are an even smaller subset of that. I don't know, but I'd imagine there'd be especially few buyers for baby grands. I say that because the vast majority of people wanting a piano for their home will get an upright for space reasons, but professional studios and venues will get a concert grand or close to (and newer, so it's reliable).

I think Hugh's got it absolutely right. You might want to get only that part of the work done that is necessary for the piano's working and leave the cosmetics. Or just get it all done and be done with it - 3 grand is not that much in the scheme of things for something that's going to be beautiful and important to your lives on so many levels. But you'll be doing it for the joy of it, not the money.

I agree, and there is absolutely no way my partner would sell this piano, it’s too special to her, I love it too, but not in the same way as she does, it’s part of her childhood, and family.
Even if we bought a new piano she’d still keep the Bluthner.
You’re also right on essential repairs, I just called the guy and left a message, asking him if we can discuss this again, I’ll keep you posted.

[JSC]

Curious if you've been looking for parts for the action at all. I have an older Bluthner patent action and am having a devil of a time finding replacement springs.

[Arpangel]

Curious if you've been looking for parts for the action at all. I have an older Bluthner patent action and am having a devil of a time finding replacement springs.

My Bluthner is 1937, some replacement parts are Bluthner, others are good quality generic replacements.
On completion of the refurbishment I’ll post a list of what was done.

[Tomás Mulcahy]

Curious if you've been looking for parts for the action at all. I have an older Bluthner patent action and am having a devil of a time finding replacement springs.

It's common enough to have the springs made, you send the old ones off to be copied or you measure them and send in the specs. Ask your piano repair person!

[John Stafford]

Curious if you've been looking for parts for the action at all. I have an older Bluthner patent action and am having a devil of a time finding replacement springs.

The Abel Hammer Company make several parts for the Blüthner Patent action, including the abstract with the repetition springs. If you go to their online shop, look under action parts and then select Blüthner shanks. They make the entire repetitions, not just shanks, but that's how they list them.

As the patent action hasn't been made in nearly a century, supply of replacement parts can be tricky. Baumgaertel used to carry a good selection, but they closed last year.

[Arpangel]

I’m leaving all this to the guy at the workshop, he’s already picked up on things that were bodged before, wrong screws, felts etc.

[John Stafford]

My 1911 Bechstein had some kind of "restoration" inflicted on it at some time in the past. Luckily there's no major damage.

[Arpangel]

My 1911 Bechstein had some kind of "restoration" inflicted on it at some time in the past. Luckily there's no major damage.

We have no choice but to trust our local piano man, he’s been in business since before I was born, a family run outfit, with a very good reputation, he does work for a lot of professional institutions, deep knowledge of top pianos, very down to earth guy.
We had a quote from a leading Bluthner specialist, it started at £15,000, for a basic overhaul.
The value of this piano in perfect condition? it wouldn’t be worth it, even if we did have the money, we’d probably end up spending nearer ££20/25,000
I’d rather put that money towards another piano of my choice, but that’s not the point, this is a family piano with deep history, a lot of well known people in the music business have used this piano, and my partner is in love with it, it has to be kept in the family.
This business certainly puts the cost of buying a synth into perspective.

[Arpangel]

Piano update!
Just called him, he’s in the middle of putting the dampers in, all keyboard support irons turned out to be fine.....phew!
Hammers have been fitted with new felts, action completely overhauled, among other things, should be back here in a couple of weeks.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Better not spend the turntable and synth funds just yet then...

[Arpangel]

Better not spend the turntable and synth funds just yet then...

I did say to him "so how much have we got to remortgage the house for then?!"
No, it’s fine, no extra charges, all on budget, and timescale.

[Hugh Robjohns]

[RichardT]

Piano update!
Just called him, he’s in the middle of putting the dampers in, all keyboard support irons turned out to be fine.....phew!
Hammers have been fitted with new felts, action completely overhauled, among other things, should be back here in a couple of weeks.

Great news! Will it take a while to settle in? Or will it be on top form when it arrives? Is your piano guy doing the tuning and voicing?

[Martin Walker]

Great news! Will it take a while to settle in? Or will it be on top form when it arrives? Is your piano guy doing the tuning and voicing?

I suspect having it tuned on site by the piano guy that's done all this work would be by far the most sensible solution.

How exciting though!

Martin

[Arpangel]

Piano update!
Just called him, he’s in the middle of putting the dampers in, all keyboard support irons turned out to be fine.....phew!
Hammers have been fitted with new felts, action completely overhauled, among other things, should be back here in a couple of weeks.

Great news! Will it take a while to settle in? Or will it be on top form when it arrives? Is your piano guy doing the tuning and voicing?

From our conversation yesterday, it’ll be ready to play, he said the action is lighter, and feels excellent, his words were "it’s a really lovely piano now, plays beautifully"
More importantly, he’s invited us to the workshop next week, to try it out, and to make any further adjustments, if necessary, a really good idea.

[Martin Walker]

More importantly, he’s invited us to the workshop next week, to try it out, and to make any further adjustments, if necessary, a really good idea.

Wow, that's proper service for you!

How exciting.

Martin