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LATEST UPDATE OF THIS PAGE: 3/24/04
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6' Weber Grand
#70873
Brown mahogany cabinet.
Built in 1913. Rebuilt and refinished by Ray’s Piano Service, March
2004. A mid-size grand piano with a rich, deep tone usually found in
much larger grand pianos. We purchased this piano for $2,000,
completed improvements valued at $7,000, and sold the piano for
$9,000. We were proud of this restoration project. This piano will
give the new owner many years of musical
enjoyment!
IMPROVEMENTS
COMPLETED:
Rebuilt—Dismantle.
Remove strings, pins, plate. Repair and refinish sound board and
bridges. Re-install plate. Install new strings and pins. Rebuild
pedal mechanisms.
Action reconditioned—Clean, install
new hammers, tighten screws, replace additional defective parts,
rebush keys as needed.
Complete
Regulation—All adjustments to ensure that piano plays like
new, tune to A-440
Completely
Refinished—Repair veneer as needed. Strip and
sand cabinet and all panels. Apply stain and lacquer. Install new
decorative cloth on music rest. Install new rubber buttons. Clean
and polish all metal parts. Reassemble.
SCHEDULE:
Picked up in
Puyallup,WA—October
2003 Restoration schedule—December 2003 - March
2004 Sold—March 24, 2004. Delivered to purchaser in
Sedro Woolley, WA. |
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1913 Weber Grand - "Before" picture: As it entered our shop--on its side
with the legs and lid removed
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1913 Weber Grand - "After" (March 20, 2004): We moved the piano into our showroom for final tunings.
During the next few days we will install the fallboard, music rest,
and lid after the final coat of lacquer on them has dried. We are
very pleased with the outcome of this restoration--this piano has
become a "mid-size grand with a large-size sound." Because of
its extraordinary wide "back end," its soundboard is larger than
most present-day 6' grands and it produces a deep, rich tone from
the lowest bass note right up to the top treble.
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1913 Weber Grand Pictures of the Improvement
Process taken in our
shop: |
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1 –
Plastic keytops had been installed sometime in the recent past.
However, the "overhand" on them is too great, so we will replace
them with a new set. The fallboard decal will be replaced during the
refinishing process. |

2 – The
Weber Company emblem emblazoned on the plate details milestones in
the company's history since its establishment in 1852 by Albert
Weber in Manhattan, New York. |
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3 –
The piano's serial number is embossed into the
frame. |

4 – We
prepared a "stringing guide" showing all string guages and the
arrangement of loops and tied strings. In restringing, these
arrangements must be duplicated
exactly. |
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5 – We
unbolted the plate and lifted it out of the piano using our
ceiling-mounted winch.
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6 –
Using specialty tools, we repaired the soundboard cracks by
routering them in a v-shaped pattern, and then installing spruce
shims that fit perfectly into the routered
holes. |
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7 –
Using automotive finishing materials, we primed and refinished the
plate a beautiful gold color. |

8 – We
scraped all the old finish off the soundboard and then sanded
it. |
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9 –
Using a special reamer, we reamed all the tuning pin holes. Upon
examination, we decided to re-use the original pinblock because it
is still in very sound condition. We will be repinning with size 3/0
tuning pins (originals are size 2/0), to ensure uniform
torque. |

10 –
We applied three coats of spar urethane and rubbed it down with very
fine compound.
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11 –
We rebolted the plate in place and installed new understring
felts. |

12 –
Starting at the top treble, we installed a complete set of new
strings and pins. |
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13 –
We "subcontracted" stripping the bench, legs, lid, and other panels
to a carpenter friend.
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14 –
After the piano was completely restrung, we could turn our attention
to reconditioning the action.
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15 –
We installed a new set of plastic keytops. |

16 –
We installed a new set of
hammers. |
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17 –
After action reconditioning was complete, we regulated all its
adjustments on the bench, using our special regulation tools and
jigs. After refinishing, we will install the dampers, pedal
mechanisms, and "fine-tune" all regulation adjustments before tuning
the piano. |

18 –
We stripped and sanded the piano cabinet, making repairs to the
veneer where needed. Then we applied a coat of dark walnut stain to
give the finish a deep, rich walnut color.
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19 –
We also stripped, repaired, sanded, and stained the lid and the
other veneered parts of the piano. This will now have a couple of
days' drying time before we continue with the final finish
coats. |

20 – We applied sealer and
several coats of lacquer to the piano body and each wood surface.
Between coats, we allowed sufficient drying time and sanded the
surface smooth. |
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21 – The final lacquer finish
has a beautiful satin sheen. |

22 – The parts were placed on
the parts rack for drying. |
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23 – We cleaned and polished
the brass ferrules that are fastened to the bottom the legs--what a
difference this makes! |

24 – We cleaned and polished
the pedals, pedal rods, locks, and
hinges. |
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25 – We rebuilt the lyre,
installing the newly polished pedals and rods, and rebushing the
holes with new felt. |

26 – We placed the piano in
our showroom for its final tuning. When they're dry, we'll install
the fallboard, lid and lid prop, and the music
rest. |
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27 – We assembled the
fallboard, music rest, lid, and lid prop, and installed all these
components back on the piano. |

26 – We are proud of this
completed project. It should provide many more years of musical
enjoyment! |
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25 – The fallboard decal has a
beautiful green interior. It gives the piano a touch of
authenticity. |

26 – And the refinished bench
adds a touch of elegance! | |