On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 14:09:59 -0500, Silvan
wrote:

Jason Quick wrote:

Then the MIL made some comment about how she should probably get rid of
the
thing, since no one's played it in ages. And all I could think was,
"Yeah, give it to me, Mom...*I"ll* take care of that sumbitch..."

Sorry, but disassembling a functional musical instrument is a criminal
offense. I'd be far better to give it to some kid who wants to play the
pie-anner but can't afford one. (Those things are EXPENSIVE!)

Unless it's not playable, then it's a whole nother can o' fish. Or kettle
o' worms. Or something.

First, I must say that I agree with Silvan sentiment regarding the demolishing
of a functional instrument. I did a lot of restoration work on pianos and reed
organs back in the 70s and 80s.

If you are going to take the piano apart, please be warned that there is a
tremendous amount of pressure in the harp. Do not cut the strings. If you cut
them unevenly, there is a chance that the iron frame will stress out and the
results could be very unpredictable. To safely remove the strings, ease the
tuning pins out, one string at a time, moving from one note to the next,
starting in the center and working evenly towards the ends. Work the strings
down to one for each note before making the final pass. On the final pass, I
would start in the middle and work out alternating notes.

If you decide not to destroy the piece, you will find that the original finish
is some form of shellac. Do a test wipe with denatured alcohol. If the finish
softens and re-amalgamates, it is "normal" soft shellac, the kind we are used
to. If it does not, It is what was termed hard shellac. In either case, do not
try to use heat to remove it.

The other problem that you will run into is hide glue. Many parts of a musical
instrument were designed to be removed for ease of repair, but many of the case
elements were glued with hot hide glue. Plain white vinegar can be used to
break these joints, but it is a very slow process. If the larger pieces are
veneered, the vinegar will break the bond of veneer as well.




Bill Waller
New Eagle, PA