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.

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.

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.

The plate has lost its luster and must be re-sprayed with Steinway gold lacquer.

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.

Action:

• Wound Strings – poor condition
• Wire Strings – poor condition
• Ivories/ Ebonies – fair condition
• Hammers/Shanks – poor condition
• Back Checks  – poor condition
• Wippens – fair 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.

The wire strings have rusted and must be replaced with new German high quality wire when the piano is re-pinned.

The ivories and ebonies are very attractive, although some of the ivories have chipped and some are missing.

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.

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.

The leather backchecks have hardened and must be replaced.  The hammer rest rail felts are torn and must be replaced.

The wippens have cloths and felts throughout that must be replaced.  The springs will be polished and strengthened.

The jacks must be re-dagged and the let-off button felts replaced.

The damper felts are worn and must be replaced. The damper heads will be polished to look like new.

All the action parts will be regulated.

Cabinet:

• Finish – fair condition
• Bench – n/a
• Caster Cups – n/a

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.

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. The piano is placed on cardboard. Hard maple caster cups must be purchased and refinished to match the piano.

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 $2,500. Once the piano is completely rebuilt, its replacement value would be $55,000.