I'm taking the first step towards restoring my 1923 Wm. Knabe Ampico
grand.  I invited a piano technician last night to see the piano.
While he has no experience with reproducing grands, he is one of the
more experienced technicians in Israel (and, for that matter, in the
desert one does not insist on glacier water).  He presented me with
a dilemma which I'd like to hear other opinions about before making
a final decision.

In essence, he gave me two possibilities.  The first is to have new
hammers and shafts custom built to specifications, the second being
to have the existing material restored to standards.  Either option
costs about the same so price is not an issue here.  My question, to
those who handle both piano and reproducing system restorations, is:
which will give me a better performance from my reproducing system in
the long run, or should there be a difference?

My general feeling is to use the original hammers as this will give
me the expression as true to original as possible and this is my goal.

One final question: I was quoted $3000 for restoring the "piano"
including re-stringing, replacing the hammers and various pieces of
leather and felt (forgive me for not knowing the technical terms),
voicing and regulating, and $1500-$2000 for refinishing the piano.

Are these reasonable rates for a 1923 6' grand which is in good
general shape but hasn't been rebuilt in 78 years?

Eliyahu Shahar

 [ Were you living in the Los Angeles region, I'd say the price
 [ quoted you is very reasonable.  Hopefully new hammers and shanks
 [ will last another 80 years; I doubt that the old hammers will.
 [ -- Robbie