The MMD community has so many knowledgeable members that I'm hoping
someone can offer me some advice regarding my terrible predicament.
Let me preface all by saying that I'm a complete neophyte in these
matters.

The Piece:  Weber Duo-Art reproducing piano with Aeolian mechanism,
circa 1915.  The piano is in fantastic condition with the casework
unblemished with only a few minor dings.  The player mechanism is a
mess, but I'm hoping to either educate myself to the point of being
able to repair it (I have sound engineering skills) or find someone
who can.

The Problem:  My wife and I recently, and on the recommendation of
others, enjoined Schafer Bros. Piano Movers to move the piano from
Baton Rouge to Louisville.  The entire process proved to be a complete
*nightmare*.  The piano, however, did arrive (4 months later) at our
home, but without the pedals and bench.  The pedals were promptly
"found in the warehouse" after several weeks, but the bench seems to
be permanently misplaced.  How such a thing can happen is beyond me,
but nevertheless, it is so.  The piano is sort of a family heirloom,
and my wife is absolutely crushed by this mischance.

The Question(s):  What do I do?

The bench was original with beautiful carving and reeded legs.
While it showed its age more so than the piano, it was nevertheless
mechanically sound with all the joinery as tight as the day it was
made.  Is there any chance of finding a matching piano bench somewhere?

What is the "loss in value" to an antique piano with bench versus
without bench?  (Schafer Bros. has yet to make good on any payment,
how does one put a value on this?)

Has anyone ever commissioned a "reproduction bench" from a woodworker?
I desperately need some advice.

Cheers and thanks in advance,

Rich Meyer
Louisville, KY USA

 [ MMD articles about piano moving firms are indexed at
 [ http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/KWIC/M/movers.html
 [ http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/KWIC/M/moving.html
 [ -- Robbie