Rebuilding can be a great option, but you really don't know what you're going to get on the other end. Pianos definitely have "personalities", that is, quirks,

Rebuilding can be a great option, but you really don't know what you're going to get on the other end. Pianos definitely have "personalities", that is, quirks, unique characteristics, etc. You may get a "like new" piano, but it also may not be all that nice sounding. Even 5 brand new pianos, same size, same manufacturer, same production year will sound different to a pianist's ears. Some will be warmer, others brighter; some sensitive, some temperamental; some duller, others sparklier; etc. Many of these qualities can be adjusted a bit through a process called "voicing" and "regulation", but general wisdom among piano technicians is to not try to push a piano too far away from its "natural" timbre. Rebuilding with a new soundboard would be a huge job. Depending on where OP lives and just how much work the rebuild entails, it could be closer to $40k.