Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Question for Rebuilders

Prospective buyers of previously-rebuilt pianos are often told, on this forum, "If only you knew exactly what work was done", or "If only you knew who did the work". I'm curious, do any rebuilders make a point to advise clients that documentation of the rebuild (presumably included in the invoice) should be filed with estate paperwork? Or, better yet, a copy stapled to a back/bottom post?

Tend to rush,

Funny, I just had this discussion yesterday with a client considering buying a "rebuilt" Steinway.

Its a reasonable idea. The problem is that just because something was done, does not mean that it was done WELL. Yes, I have seen less than stellar work come from some highly reputable shops, AND I have seen such high quality work done (by who knows?) That it was hard to tell that it wasn't original factory work. Plus, time and maintenance or lack of has it's effects too.

Less than a month ago I saw a Steinway O, billed as being COMPLETELY rebuilt at an auction. Yes, EVERYTHING had in fact been done to it, but it was in pretty decrepit shape due to zero maintenance as well as what looked like less than ideal workmanship.

So the long and short of it is that any serious prospective buyer of any rebuilt piano should have a competent technician/rebuilder check it out in it's current condition. A competent and honest rebuilder can spot MOST defects (if any) in the instrument. An inexperienced one, or simply a tuner, could miss a lot. It doesn't really matter if a list of what was done exists or not (not to say that it wouldn't be helpful...it would) but not really relevant to current condition.

That's my initial response to your suggestion. May change...

Pwg

I am in the process of having a concert grand completely rebuilt. My rebuilder has provided me with a 4 page work order detailing what will be done, Including manufacturer names of strings, key tops, action parts, pin block etc.. I didn't ask for it either.

What does complete rebuild mean to the average customer?
I say it's like a new piano or better:
New soundboard/bridge system, pin block, tuning and bridge pins, action parts, felts, hammers, strings, metal parts cleaned and polished, agraffes and capo shaped, lyre rebuilt, back action replaced, damper blocks refinished, bearing set correct, action regulated, case refinished and if the rebuilder is good, factory defects corrected. There is more but the idea is that complete rebuild should really be complete, not simply new strings and hammers and action parts.
To say nothing about time to design/redesign major components.
List it all. Demand to know it all.