Restoration and Refurbishing

PIANO RESTORATION IS A LONG, METICULOUS and PAINSTAKING PROCESS THAT INVOLVES GREAT TECHNICAL SKILL WITH SUPREME LEVELS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP and precision with the goal to restore the instrument to its former high level of performance, sound, and Beauty.

One must combine the technology around sound, frequency and vibration with rebuilding the beauty around what many times is the centerpiece of a home, a business or institution. And it is a personal journey for the Master technician and the piano itself because every piano is made differently and needs its own process and touch.

With over 200 plus combined years of experience in restoring extraordinary pianos, we understand the entire process and have seen every single possible complication and pitfall… yet we will always surpass every possible expectation from our customers.

Restoration - For our Steinway pianos it is the process of the placement of virtually all of the inner workings of the piano with original Steinway parts as well as the complete stripping and refinishing of the exterior.

Refurbishing - For Yamaha and other pianos generally 45 years old or less that vary on the wear and usage of any parts deemed overly played and replacing with new and genuine parts that were originally in the piano as well as bringing the original finish back to a like-new appearance.

Reconditioning - For pianos that were mostly used as furniture statements were there was minimal usage. This work generally includes action regulation as well as filing hammers and voicing, cleaning the interior, and bringing the exterior back to a like-new appearance.

The following is a list of the tasks that might comprise a fairly complete rebuilding of a grand piano.  Any particular job may be either more or less extensive than shown here, depending on the needs and value of the instrument and other factors, but this list can serve as a guide.  See also The Piano Book for information about specific rebuilding issues pertaining to Steinway and Mason & Hamlin pianos.

Notice that the restoration can be divided into three main parts: the soundbox or resonating unit, the action, and the cabinet.  The soundbox (also known as the strung backor belly) includes the soundboard, ribs, bridges, strings, pinblock, tuning pins, plate, and the structural parts of the case; the action includes the keyframe and action frame, keys and keytops, hammers, dampers, trapwork, and all other moving action parts; the cabinetincludes cosmetic repair and refinishing of the case and of the nonstructural cabinet parts and hardware.  Note that the damper parts that contact the strings are restored with the soundbox, whereas the damper under-lever action is treated with the rest of the action.

There is very little overlap among the three types of work; each of the three parts could be performed alone or at different times, as technical conditions permit and/or financial considerations require.  In a typical complete rebuilding job, restoration of the soundbox might comprise 45 percent of the cost, the action 30 percent, and the cabinet 25 percent, though these percentages will vary according to the particulars of the job.

Soundbox or resonating unit

• Replace or repair soundboard, refinish, install new soundboard decal (if not replacing soundboard: shim soundboard cracks, reglue ribs as necessary, refinish, install new soundboard decal)

• Replace pinblock

• Replace bridges or bridge caps

• Replace or ream agraffes, restore capo-bar bearing surface

• Refinish plate, paint lettering, replace understring felts

• Replace strings and tuning pins, tune to pitch

• Replace damper felts, refinish damper heads, regulate dampers

Action

• Replace hammers, shanks, and flanges

• Replace or overhaul wippen/repetition assemblies

• Replace backchecks

• Replace front-rail key bushings

• Replace balance-rail key bushings or key buttons

• Replace or clean keytops

• Replace key-end felts

• Clean keys

• Clean and refelt keyframe

• Replace let-off felts or buttons

• Clean and, if necessary, repair action frame

• Regulate action, voice

• Overhaul or replace damper underlever action and damper guide rail

• Overhaul pedal lyre and trapwork, regulate

Cabinet

• Repair music desk, legs, other cabinet parts, as needed

• Repair loose or missing veneer

• Strip and refinish exterior; refinish bench to match piano

• Buff and lacquer solid-brass hardware, replate plated hardware