Craig Brougher wrote:

> Frankly, I think that restored old pianos are a far better bargain
> than most new instruments ...  But -- and this is a huge "but" --
> only if they have been thoroughly restored and detailed correctly.
> That requires integrity: a willingness to do whatever it takes to
> make each instrument play again to its full capacity, regardless
> of its resale value.

Tell that to the piano owner!  This looks good on paper but is
fiscally impractical.

First and foremost is my obligation to my family, and I would approach
a speculative restoration with the prospect of a capital gain.  This
is where evaluating the instrument upon inspection and negotiating a
purchase price is essential.  I have, a few times, underestimated the
work required and ended up being into the piano for too much (alright,
more than a few times) but I try to take a cold calculating look before
I buy or appraise repairs.  Otherwise the offering price should be in
order with its condition (an important point).

More often is the case where a customer will only have whatever work
is necessary to get the piano working.  Does that person have less
character because he will only maintain rather than restore?  No,
unless the item is passed off as being restored when it actually had
only minor reconditioning.

The bank which holds my mortgage, and the electric, gas and phone
companies, would not be sympathetic to my conscientious efforts.
In a loan application, integrity does not go as far as business savvy.

So this would be more the willingness to "bite the bullet" rather than
an objective.  It's a juggling act between "successful businessman" and
"starving artist".

I've had a Franklin Ampico upright in the shop for eight years now
because I've had more profitable ventures going.  Now if someone wanted
to contract me to restore it...

The player market around here is just about non-existent but I couldn't
pass it up since I had recently sold an Ampico grand and felt that
I really, really needed one, I'm sure you know what I mean.  :-)
I'll get to it one of these days.

Regards,

Jon Page
Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass.

PS:  This also touches on "playing to its full capacity", which means
different things to different people.  For instance, is replacing the
hammers 'good enough'?  Some say yes, not knowing that beyond that
there is re-leading the keys (grands) to achieve "full capacity".
Or selecting action parts to render the best action geometry.  Then
there's always one's expertise/finesse in player work.