Steinway & Sons 6'1 grand piano, serial #130029,
circa 1908
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Structure
- Pin Block -
poor condition
- Soundboard - poor condition
- Bridges - poor condition
- Plates - fair condition
- Pedals - fair condition
Recommendations
The tuning pins have rusted and have become loose in the pin block. The pin block
is the original and must be replaced for the piano to hold tune at concert pitch A440.
The tuning pins will be replaced with nickel size one pins for precision tuning.
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The soundboard is made of high quality spruce. There are hairline cracks in the
wood and the ribs have separated from the back of the soundboard. The soundboard
and ribs must be repaired, and the wood must be stripped and refinished.
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The bridges have some small cracks in the wood, and do not have the proper amount of down
bearing. They must be re-capped with rock maple, re-dagged and re-pinned.
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The plate has lost its luster and must be re-sprayed with Steinway gold lacquer.
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The pedals and all other hardware attached to the lyre must be removed and polished
to eliminate all of the oxidation, bringing back its original nickel shine. All felts
will be replaced and the pedals will be regulated with the piano.
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Action
- Wound Strings - poor condition
- Wire Strings - poor condition
- Ivories/ Ebonies - fair condition
- Hammers/Shanks - poor condition
- Back Checks - poor condition
- Wippens - condition
- Jacks - fair condition
- Dampers - poor condition
- All action - fair condition
Recommendations
The wound strings have lost their tonal quality and must be replaced with custom-made
wound copper strings, after the bass bridge is repaired and when the piano is re-pinned.
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The wire strings have rusted and must be replaced with new German high quality
wire when the piano is re-pinned.
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The ivories and ebonies are very attractive, although some of the ivories have chipped
and some are missing.
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They must be replaced with a 95% match, recycled ivory. All keys must be cleaned and polished, re-bushed,
leveled and spaced, to allow the piano player to feel an even touch. All keybed felts will be replaced.
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The hammers are worn. The striking point has become flat and grooved
over the years. Two of the hammer shanks have been chewed. The
shanks and hammers must all be replaced properly.
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The leather backchecks have hardened and must be replaced. The hammer rest rail
felts are torn and must be replaced.
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The wippens have cloths and felts throughout that must be replaced. The springs
will be polished and strengthened.
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The jacks must be re-dagged and the let-off button felts replaced.
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The damper felts are worn and must be replaced. The damper heads will be polished to
look like new. (Photos 19 & 20)
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Photo 20
All the action parts will be regulated.
Cabinet
- Finish - fair condition
- Bench -
- Caster Cups -
Recommendations
The cabinet is very attractive but has lost its lustre. It must be stripped and refinished. All
hardware will be polished to look like new, and all original cloths/felts and rubber buttons
will be replaced. The fallboard decal will be replaced with a duplicate of the original.
Photo 1
The bench was not with the piano. When it is located it will be refinished with
the piano. If it is not found, a duet bench with spade legs to match the piano
legs should be purchased.
Photo 21
The piano is placed on cardboard. Hard maple caster cups must be purchased and refinished
to match the piano.
Photo 21
Conclusion
This assessment presents a comprehensive account of the problems with this piano, and
includes a summary of recommendations for work to be done.
This instrument is almost one hundred years old. When refurbished, it will be a
superior instrument, and more valuable than most new pianos sold today.
We look forward to rebuilding your piano to provide you with many years of service and
enjoyment.
Note: All replacement parts used to rebuild this piano will be authentic Steinway
parts.
Appraisal
The Steinway & Sons 6’1 grand piano, serial #130029, circa 1908 is presently
valued it $2500. Once the piano is completely rebuilt, its replacement value would be $55
000. |
