A SELECTION OF OVERS' REBUILT GRAND PIANOS

The following table contains a selection of grand pianos which have been rebuilt by Overs Pianos since 1990.

YEAR	CLIENT	CONTACT	PIANO MAKE	WORK UNDERTAKEN
2008	The Music Centre of Christchurch New Zealand	Bronwyn Bijl	Steinway D (circ 2000)	Design new string scale for treble bridge (Steinway have revised their model D string scale, so the previous Overs-revised Steinway D string scales wouldn't fit this piano). The revised scale improves the tuning stability and tunability. Revised bass scale (same as used on rebuilt 1962 ABC piano), Reshaped and hardened capo and duplex bars (only the capo bars on this piano were factory hardened, but the hardening had flaked off the bar at the end towards the agraffe-to-capo section break). New agraffes were EN plated and hardened to improve durability. The bridges were recapped with the revised string scale and made from multi-laminated rock maple stock (manufactured in-house by Overs Pianos). While the original bass bridge pinning and notching remained in good condition, the bass bridge also had to be recapped to raise the bridge height to correct for a lack of downbearing angle in the bass section. Changed height of damper lever tray to improve action geometry relationship between keys and damper levers. Replaced hammer shanks and flanges. Shanks and flanges were supplied by Tokiwa. Hammers were made by Abel using Abel premium felt and with longer tails than Steinway standard lengths to improve checking performance. The hammers were bored to suit the string heights of this piano, and were balanced to conform to a hammer weight curve after the hammers were hung, tapered and the tails shaped. The action leverage ratio was revised by re-positioning the capstans to achieve an optimum hammer/key ratio for the chosen hammer blow distance and key dip. The capstans were moved, graduating from 3.0 mm in the bass to 2.5 mm in the treble. The touch weight was revised following the action ratio revision, with the general trend being that the overall number of key leads was reduced. The iron plate was refinished with acrylic automotive lacquer with a clear final-coat, after the capo and duplex bars were re-profiled and hardened. The casework had extensive repairs to the top lid (which had lacquer cut-throughs around the perimeter moulding) and the bass leg (which had sustained water damage). Since this piano had been in concert use since new, there were several hundred small and not-so-small marks which were repaired prior to an overall cut and polish. The top lid props and stiffening rails were stripped and refinished. The understring felt width was revised to allow for an increase of the free string length between the understring felt and the agraffe. The overall power/sustain balance of the piano was adjusted by weight loading the sound board where required. Total of work undertaken AUD$42,000 (included crating piano and shipping to New Zealand)
2007	St Mary's Cathedral School Sydney	-	Steinway D (circ 1991)	Replaced bridge caps of the top two string sections with multi-laminated capping stock (manufactured in-house by Overs Pianos). Bridges for all other string sections were re-pinned after the bridge notching was re-cut. Revised bass scale (same as revision of rebuilt 1992 ABC piano), Reshaped and hardened capo and duplex bars (these were not originally hardened on Steinways of this vintage). New agraffes were EN plated and hardened improve durability. Changed height of damper lever tray to improve action geometry relationship between the keys and damper levers. Replaced hammers shanks and flanges. Shanks and flanges were supplied by Tokiwa. Hammers were made by Abel using Abel premium felt and with longer tails than Steinway standard lengths to improve checking performance. The hammers were bored to suit string heights of this piano, and were balanced to conform to a hammer weight curve after the hammers were hung, tapered and the tails shaped. The action leverage ratio was revised by repositioning the capstans to achieve an optimum hammer/key ratio for the chosen hammer blow distance and key dip. The touch weight was revised following the action ratio revision, with the general trend being that the overall number of key leads was reduced. The iron plate was refinished in acrylic automotive lacquer after the capo and duplex bars were hardened. The casework had extensive repairs. The under string felt width was revised to allow for in increase of the free string length between the understring felt and the agraffe. Total of work undertaken. AUD$44,000
2000	The Regent Hotel Sydney	-	Kawai GS80 (circ 1980)	Shape & harden front duplex & capo' bars. Revised bass scale, revised string approach angle to agraffes & capo' bars, revised jack tail angle, repositioned letoff buttons and replaced knuckles with 9.0 mm diam. to improve action geometry, reshaped agraffe string holes. Recap bridges. Refinish (internal & external). AUD $27,000.
1999	S,B & W Seaborne Foundation North Sydney	Mrs Sheila Talty	Kawai KG6C (late '70s)	Reposition rear duplex blocks and hitch pins (for shorter-tuned duplexes). Shape & harden front duplex & capo' bars. Revise soundboard perimeter taper, relocated set bolt at bass bridge, revised bass scale, revised string approach angle to agraffes & capo' bars, hammer/key leverage ratio altered to 5:1, six action geometry modifications and reshaped agraffe string holes. Recut notching and repin bridges. Refinish (internal & external). Completed May 1999. AUD $22,000.
1998	Australian Broadcasting Corp. - ABC Classic FM - Sydney	Malcolm Batty	Steinway D (1986)	Complete inside refinish, retaining orig. bridge as notched and repinned during 1993 rebuild. Reshaped & hardened capo' & duplex bars, tuned rear duplex blocks. 'In house' custom manufactured agraffe set. Overs' bass scale. Extensive case polyester repairs. Pin block repair. Action parts were replaced during 1993 service. AUD $14,000 repair
1998	Killara Music Club	Mr A Reichhardt	Steinbach WSG-205 (new)	Recut notching and repin bridges. Shape and harden capo' bars, reset down bearing, restring and regulate action. AUD $10,000 job. Sold with new piano warranty.
1997	Privately owned (Australian concert pianist)	David Bollard	Steinway A (1974)	Replace top section of treble bridge, shape &harden capo' & duplex bars. Replace hammers & rollers. Set treble strike line. Overs revised bass scale. AUD $12,000.
1997	Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club	Denis McNamara	Yamaha C7F (1992)	Shape & harden capo' & duplex bars. Recut agraffe string holes, revise bass scale, revise down bearing and restring. AUD $8,000.
1997	Privately owned (Australian concert pianist)	Stephanie McCallum	Kawai KG5 (early 70's)	Recut notching and repin bridges. Shape & harden duplex bars. New Abel hammers & rollers. Set hammer strike line. AUD $12,000.
1996	Our Kawai KG5 rebuilt hire piano	Overs Pianos	Kawai KG (1977)	Complete inside and outside refinish. Recut bridge notching & repin bridges. Hand tapered soundboard. Rescaled  bass, altered front string bearing, recut agraffe holes, shaped & hardened capo' & duplex bars, new hammers and revised strike line. Revised hammer/key gear ratio. AUD $15,000.
1996	Sydney University Music Dept.	Chris Miles	Steinway B (1980)	Shape & harden duplex & capo' bars, recut agraffe string holes. Revise bass scale & replace hammers, reset down bearing and restring. AUD $8,000.
1996	Our rebuilt Steinway D hire concert grand.	Overs Pianos	Steinway D (1977)	New top section bridge caps with revised treble scale. Revised bass scale. Shaped & hardened capo' & duplex bars. New hammers with revised strike line. Special agraffes. Tuned rear duplex blocks. New hand fitted pin block. Complete inside & outside refinish (for inside view, see at start of home page). AUD $40,000.
1995	Australian Broadcasting Corp. - Brisbane	Damien Berglas	Steinway D (1973)	Recap all bridges with revised treble and bass scale. Shape & harden capo' & duplex bars. New hammers with revised strike pt. Adjustable &tuned rear duplex blocks. Revised bass scale. AUD $24,000.
1993	Radio Station 2MBS FM Sydney	Ken Hamilton	Grotrian Steinweg 275 concert gd. (1973)	Recut notching & repin bridges. Refix glue joints between soundboard and rim, & rear bracings to rim. Shape capo' bar. Install pressure bars to shorten front 'duplex' lengths. (originally  too long) AUD $30,000.
1992	Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Sydney	Malcolm Batty	Steinway D (1962)	New bridges with revised treble scale and bass design. Shaped, but unhardened* capo' & duplex bars. New hammers with revised strike line. Complete inside & outside refinish. AUD $50,000.
1992	Australian Film Television & Radio School	Colin Franks	Steinway A (1973)	Recut bridge notching & repin. Shape capo' & duplex bars. Revised bass scale. AUD $7,400.
1990	Presbyterian Ladies College, Pymble	Coreen Jenkins	Steinway D (1926-US)	New bridges with revised treble scale and bass design. Shaped, but unhardened capo' & duplex bars. Revised hammer strike line. AUD $22.000.