What am I getting into?

I've been looking for a new project for the past few months.  I had some plans to fix my cracked mandolin or maybe build a Moroccan instrument called a Gimbri or Sintir.  A couple of weeks ago I came across someone who was trying to get rid of a piano.  His story was that he had a piano he needed to get rid of before Thanksgiving.  I correctly assumed that this meant he was hosting Thanksgiving and needed the space.  He said $500 or best offer, I offered $100, and he counter-offered with "free".  The condition was that I had to pay for it to be moved.  I talked to Tom Caruso from the New London-based Caruso Music sister company Pianos 2 Go, and we scheduled the move.  Before I go any further, I want to mention that Tom was really great to talk to and I highly recommend Pianos 2 Go if you need a piano moved anywhere in New England.  The two guys that did the move were really professional and knowledgeable.  They pointed out a few repairs on my piano and gave me a quick history lesson as they were moving it.




So it's a Weber Style LL Baby Grand Piano, and from the serial number I can date it to around 1918.  I was able to find a newspaper clipping online from December 16, 1915 stating "The Aeolian Co. has just announced a new Weber grand piano to be known as style LL. This piano is an unusually small grand, measuring only five feet long, and is now said to be the smallest grand piano made."  It measures 5 feet exactly, front-to-back, which is certainly on the smaller end of grand pianos.




My initial thoughts on the condition and work needed are still coming together.  Overall, it is really solid.  It hasn't been tuned in over 20 years, but shows minor wear.  Every key works, although most are in need of some adjustments.  All 3 pedals work with no issues.  There are no cracks in the cast iron plate.  The soundboard has a crack underneath the treble bridge, however this crack seems minor, is probably fixable, and has not resulted in any braces coming unglued.  I will know a little more in a week or two once I have some basic tools, but I'm very doubtful that this piano will hold a tune in it's current shape.  The work I am expecting to do would cost probably $4000+ for a professional to do, and it will likely cost me close to $1500 by the time I am done, half of that just going towards tools.  I will go into detail over the next few weeks regarding what all of these things mean, and why I feel they are necessary, but right now I am anticipating having to fabricate a new pin block (not easy), which will require a restring (not easy either), also.  The good news is that if I do these things well, this piano should have a life of 40+ years before it needs any major work again.  For now, I'll leave you with a few more random pictures.