Hello all,
I would like to canvas the opinions of experts here in whether its a worthwhile plan to rebuild a 1920's Steck concert grand which is presently in a sad state.
Would a new sound board be advisable? I have read here that perhaps its a bad idea to toss out the soundboard just because you can.
This piano was reconditioned about 25 years ago but did not sound any good when done.
At this time I came across the same model which was restored and sounded great.Thanks for your comments

I wouldn't, unless I knew that this is going to be my piano forever. You'll never be able to sell it.

The cost to rebuild with a new soundboard could buy a decent used grand that you would be able to resell later on.

In conclusion, if you have money to burn and you wish to own that particular piano, then ... well ... no, not even then.

Do you know for a fact that the soundboard is dead, and that the poor sound cannot be attributed to some other reason lousy hammers and poor regulation for example? Does it have adequate crown and bearing?

Worthwhile? In what terms? Define “worthwhile.”

Musically? Perhaps. The design of Geo. Steck grands varied. Some were virtually one-off designs that could be innovative and great. Others might be innovative and an absolute monster just to repair let alone rebuild. By the 1920s they had probably settled down to the more or less ubiquitous Steinway-style rim and plate but check with your potential rebuilder to be sure.

When you say it is a sad state—what do you mean? Has the action been trashed? The casework? What is wrong with the soundboard? How does it sound? If you don't know how to analyze a soundboard by doing some simple measurements and by listening (don't just go by what you see) then, again, check with your potential rebuilder.

If you are thinking “worthwhile” as in I'll buy this piano, rebuild it and sell it at a handsome profit—forget it. There is absolutely no way this is going to happen. Indeed, it will probably be one of those upside-down sorts of jobs where the cost of rebuilding may well exceed the market value of the piano on completion. This is the sort of job that is usually reserved for “family heirloom” pianos where the ultimate monetary value of the piano is of secondary importance.

ddf