I always lean toward restringing.  In fact, it's a rarity when I don't.
A reproducing piano deserves this kind of treatment.  New bass strings
will give you that big bass you want, and the larger pins throughout
will let it last years longer to be enjoyed again after you are long
gone.  So the reproducing pianos in my shop get the same treatment a
grand would get except for a new pin block.

I don't care to see a piano restrung only with new bass strings and
without refinishing the plate.  If you restring only one section and
not refinish the plate it presents a small problem for the next
rebuilder.  You string with a pin twice the diameter, 2\0 to 4\0.

If you leave the plate with its 70-year-old paint job, the next person
who wants to pull the pins and restring _and_ finish the plate then has
to go to a 6\0 pin?  So you'll have 6\0 (don't know anyone who uses
pins that big) in the bass and 4\0 in the tenor and treble.

Better to string the whole thing using one size of pins (4\0) and
refinish the plate at the same time so it will not have to be done
again.  You might also consider nickel plating the hardware while
you're at it.

Tony Marsico