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I know EXACTLY what's gonna happen to that piano. They will show up, with a bunch of college boys, a utility trailer, rope and a blanket. They are gonna damage the mouldings I cast outa resin and blended in, when they try to push it up a ramp, that is at too sharp an angle. They will then tie rope all over it, with only a blanket or two, from thier bed, and scar the finish with the rope,and crushing the 129 year old corners I had built up and squared with a handplane. Then, IF it makes it home, they will struggle with getting it off the trailer, same mouldings will take another hit. Then it will sit in thier house unplayed, cause it is in such need of rebuilding the innards. The soundboard is already cracked from ameture moves and handling. It was stored in a humid damp storage unit for several years to begin with. All to avoid the cost of a pro piano mover, and a rebuilder of the innards. Exactly the opposite of what they told me when I picked it up. Oh well. Not my problem now. In any other situation, I would have done everything I could to assist them in the move, but I am soooo done with it! I'm gonna go to NC and relax for awhile on the beach. Adios, old piano, I hope you make it! jimsjinx

jimsjinx wrote:I know EXACTLY what's gonna happen to that piano. They will show up, with a bunch of college boys, a utility trailer, rope and a blanket. They are gonna damage the mouldings I cast outa resin and blended in, when they try to push it up a ramp, that is at too sharp an angle. They will then tie rope all over it, with only a blanket or two, from thier bed, and scar the finish with the rope,and crushing the 129 year old corners I had built up and squared with a handplane. Then, IF it makes it home, they will struggle with getting it off the trailer, same mouldings will take another hit. Then it will sit in thier house unplayed, cause it is in such need of rebuilding the innards. The soundboard is already cracked from ameture moves and handling. It was stored in a humid damp storage unit for several years to begin with. All to avoid the cost of a pro piano mover, and a rebuilder of the innards. Exactly the opposite of what they told me when I picked it up. Oh well. Not my problem now. In any other situation, I would have done everything I could to assist them in the move, but I am soooo done with it! I'm gonna go to NC and relax for awhile on the beach. Adios, old piano, I hope you make it! jimsjinx

My friend Martial and I, we have been in this business for many years and Martial who is a piano tech always insist that they restore the instrument first, because the piece of furniture outside is not worth spending any money on it if the piano is in need of repairs. I always recommend the same thing as I am the restorer of the player piano, restore the piano first or else I will not restore your player, because the roll player will never play well in a bad instrument. And lastly we do not take a job if they do not accept a professional mover with insurance, and the piano never leave the shop before the cheque has clear. When in doubt about a cheque, go to their bank and have it certified, it may cost you a few dollars, but it will already have been debited from their account and the cheque will be as good as paper money. That's the way it works here anyway.
If they come to get the piano themselves, have them sign a letter accepting the piano as been restored and clearing you of any mishaps due to the moving of it.
And by the way, you did a beautiful job.

I would add to what Camerio told you about having them sign a statement before leaving with the piano, that you take plenty of pictures of it to bolster your position should they damage it in the move and seek to blame you.

Yes! You are absolutely right! I was taught by a 3rd generation Italian piano restorer, that you should AT THE VERY LEAST, have the tech remove ALL the inner workings so he can do his magic, (and I would do the cabinet resto, during that time.) These idiots just want a centerpiece in thier living room. It is such a crying shame. There were very few "Cabinet Grand" pianos like this one even made. The parts are still saveable in the right hands, but won't be for long. (I watched thier grand kids pound on the keys when I picked it up.) Those keys are Ivory,too! A few are badly damaged/chipped. The tone was magnificent, but the cracked soundboard made the tone change as you go up the scale. WAYYYY outa tune, by the way. I got the check cashed, they finally conceded to have some "mover" to handle it. I insisted on a family member to be present when the mover shows up Wed. morning. I had a fantastic time working with the tech in SanDiego. Ron something was his name. A true craftsman. (Moody, Though!!!LOL) I asked him to play me something once, and he blew me away!!! The man KNOWS pianos, AND how to play em! Thanks to everyone who posted, and the advise. I sure feel sorry for the old girl (piano). She don't have a snowballs chance in hell, of ever being properly restored. Sure looks good,though!!! I got a clear conscence. Not to be too foreward, but I only charged $1500.00 for a complete cabinet teardown, hand strip, and repair, and finish. Several pieces were cast with resin and airbrushed to match the surrounding wood. About half of the sloppy jobs around here. I put alot of love in breathing life back into this stuff. I guess I take it TOO seriously. Thanks, Jim

It wasn't pretty, or proffessional, but it's finally GONE!!! WHOOPEE! jimsjinx

I hope they had a lot of blankets under it.

I hope they transported it on its wheels (upright), otherwise the plate behind the cords, would be cracked or broken in the transport and it is not reparable, it cannot be soldered ever. So if it happened, you have to find another one to match exactly like the one there was on it.
And without a metal plate (lyre it is called) then it is almost impossible to keep in tune. To much tension, there is about 275 cords in a piano, so the tension is quite important.
It is for the same reason that a grand piano is transported on its side.
I am glad it is over for you and that you got paid.
Go make something pleasant.

Make something for yourself or Momma!

JPG40504 wrote:Make something for yourself or Momma!

Definitely Momma. It's Mother's Day on Sunday:D