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Piano Restoration
Most pianos, even well maintained ones, over 60 years old are prone to progressive failure of major parts including: the wrest plank (the wood block behind the frame that the tuning pins go in to), collapse of the dome of the soundboard and / or fracture of the joints of the soundboard, cracking of the bridge, worn actions, rusted and pitted strings. For restoration purposes, the age of the piano is not critical, providing the frame is not cracked between the tuning pins. Although a cracked frame can be repaired it is rarely wise to do this.
When a customers piano is complete, we aim for it look and sound like it did when it was new. Our customers satisfaction is our main priority.
Is a full renovation the right thing for every customer with an old piano? Absolutely not!
We Only Recommend Our Piano Restoration Service To Two Kinds Of Customers.
1) The customer who owns an old World class piano like a Steinway, Bechstein, Grotrian, Bluthner or Bosendorfer. Unfortunately, the cost to renovate most other makes is higher than the piano is worth when restored. With a Steinway, Bechstein, Bluthner or Bosendorfer, the full restoration cost could be between two to five times cheaper than buying the new equivalent. An example of this is when we restored a Bechstein Model C. The restoration cost £12,800 where the new equivalent is approximately £70,000. Often the Steinway, Bechstein, Bluthner and Bosendorfer pianos that we renovate are relatively worthless (£300 – £3000) in the state they're in when they come in for restoration, but if the piano has the right specification, it will become a beautiful restored piano giving many years of enjoyment to the owner.
2) The customer who has a piano that is dear to them. An instrument that gives fond memories of a loved one is worth renovating for the sake of the sentimental value (not the monetary value).
There's much more to restoring a piano than just polishing and cleaning the case and brushing the felts and strings down. To sum up in a few lines, what will take the most highly skilled craftsmen between ten and twelve weeks to complete, is a difficult task, but here goes. Although everything is under one roof, there are three basic stages of restoration that our team have to complete. We have the case workshop, the acoustics workshop and the action workshop. We do all the work simultaneously.
GRAND PIANO EXAMPLE
Case restoration
Disassembling of the instrument
Basic carpentry work prior to actual case finishing
Case varnishing in high gloss black polyester
New brass fallboard logo (regular size)
Old hardware polishing
Acoustic restoration
New bridge caps – 4 sections
New bass strings of Heller
Iron frame sanding
Iron frame restoration and varnishing in Bechstein color
Frame lettering in black (brand name, serial number etc.)
Steel string numbering in black
New steel strings – Röslau
New multilayered pin block
New nickel tuning pins
Soundboard restoration and varnishing in gloss
New soundboard decal
Agraffes restoration (polishing)
New hitch pins
Action restoration
Sharps restoration
New IVOPLAST key covers
Complete action restoration and regulation (replacing all worn out felts, leathers, cashmeres, and restoration of wooden and metal elements)
New hammer heads with Bio Felt of Abel
New hammer shanks of Abel
New wippens of Abel
Backcheck restoration
Damper restoration and re-felting with felt of Abel
Damper action restoratio
STEINWAY & SONS EXAMPLE
Case restoration
Disassembling of the instrument
Basic carpentry work prior to actual case finishing
Case varnishing in high gloss black polyester
New brass fallboard logo (regular size)
Old hardware polishing
Leather on music desk front rail
New genuine Steinway & Sons cabinet rubber button
Acoustic restoration
New bridge caps – 4 sections
New bass strings of Heller
Iron frame sanding
Iron frame restoration and varnishing in Steinway & Sons color
Frame lettering in black (brand name, serial number etc.)
Steel string numbering in black
New steel strings – Röslau
New pin block – Canadian Maple 38mm
New nickel tuning pins
Soundboard restoration and varnishing in gloss
New soundboard decal
New agraffes of Steinway & Sons
New hitch pins
Duplex scale and frame bolt nickel-plating
Action restoration
Sharps restoration
Building in and regulation of new genuine Steinway & Sons action
New complete action of Steinway & Sons
Backcheck restoration
Damper restoration and re-felting with genuine felt of Steinway & Sons
Damper action restoration
Trapwork restoration
Keyboard restoration with genuine parts of Steinway & Sons
Equaling key spacing with plywood
New IVOPLAST key covers
Equaling key spacing with plywood
New IVOPLAST key covers
On completion the renovated piano will need the same attention as a new instrument in terms of regulation and stabilisation tuning. New strings need time under tension before the metal crystal structure develops to give long term tuning stability.
The final effect of the restoration is a splendid instrument, with a magnificent sound and gorgeous appearance which will live for many years and be a source of joy and happiness to the owner.
So, if you see an old dilapidated World class piano at auction, on Ebay or as part of a bereavement sale, you know who to contact for restoration.
Contact David Wood for more information about Promenade Music's piano restoration service on 01524 410202.
