22 October 2014 When You Should Consider Restoration Of Early Pianos

When You Should Consider Restoration Of Early Pianos

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Several factors come into play when deciding on whether a piano should or should not be restored.

  • Its age
  • Its overall condition
  • Its rarity

While there are other factors, these are usually the top three. The goals of restoring and conserving a rare antique piano will be different than restoring a family heirloom. And conserving a piano true to its original form will be different than giving a piano new life and making it playable in modern times.When You Should Consider Restoration Of Early Pianos

Not every piano should be made playable. When a true, rare piano enters the picture, curators and conservators of a piano collection or museum will tell you that in order to preserve its historical value, they choose to follow the path of protecting it from deterioration and keeping it as authentic as possible, no matter if its playable and makes great music in today’s world or not. There are reasons for this.

By leaving as much of the original piano as possible intact, it preserves the instrument for scholars, researchers and replicate builders of the future.

It preserves the voice of the original piano. While it may not be playable by our standards, or have a clear tone expected by today’s musicians, it does provide a peek into the past at how music was played and listened to by generations past.

Conversely, if a piano is going to be restored and brought up to today’s playable standards, it takes a different path. The work will always be documented along the way with a detailed explanation of the procedures used in the restoration process. And while original pieces will be used whenever possible, in some cases replicas will be substituted in order to give it new life, new sound, and a new voice. Tonality has changed over the years, and the primary responsibility of a restorer in this category is to make it playable by today’s standards.

Age is not the only consideration that determines if a piano is antique, rare, or should receive special conservation. In some cases it’s the history of the piano that matters most. A piano built by a famous builder or owner, or one owned by a famous composer or performer has historical value, and therefore is worth restoration to preserve history. Pianos owned by Mozart, Beethoven, or Chopin all give us insight to the way music sounded and was created in their periods of time.

Working with antique pianos takes an enormous amount of skill and care. Every instrument is unique and presents its own unique set of problems and challenges. It is the task of the restorer to enhance what is presented to him or her, and take great care to retain and preserve as much of the original piano as possible.

If you would like to learn more about our restoration process, we would love to speak with you personally about the right direction for you and your piano.

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17 September 2014 Why Piano Rebuilding Is More Than Changing Out The Piano Parts

Why Piano Rebuilding Is More Than Changing Out The Piano Parts

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All of a sudden, your piano doesn’t play the way it used to. The notes sound a little off. Songs begin having that out-of-tune pitch that makes you cringe more than enjoy.

So like any good do it yourselfer, you buy a few parts and attempt to fix the problem yourself. But can you really fix a piano yourself? Is it possible?

The answer, of course, is it depends.Why Piano Rebuilding Is More Than Changing Out The Piano Parts

If you happen to get lucky, and find one piece that truly is defective, and replace it in such a way that it improves the sound, then the answer is yes.

Chances are though, this will never be the case.

Piano rebuilding is an art form. Its not merely the act of changing out a few parts to make a better sound. You can’t run down to the local discount store, by a few generic parts and expect your piano to provide you with the quality sound you’ve come to expect.

Because in many cases, it starts with selecting the right parts. There are many different dimensions, and it takes a specialist to recognize and understand the nuances to make the right selection. For example, we always analyze the action to determine the appropriate parts required to maintain and match the action.

We also know that rebuilding can include analyzing and changing out the action, sound board and pin block. It may require resetting the down bearing during the stringing process, which will drastically affect the quality and tone of sound from your piano. It may also include changing the pressure the strings exert on the bridge and sound board.

The bridge – the vertical portion of the soundboard – is a delicate piece made of hardwood with pins in it. The higher the bridge, the more down pressure the string is going to exert on the bridge and the soundboard. This is where sound balance occurs. Its also one of the most important parts of your piano, the part that needs to be carefully analyzed to avoid stress on the crown of the soundboard, therefore inhibiting your piano’s performance.

Rebuilding means making sure all pieces are in proper placement, proper dimensions, proper performance. If its original equipment, its in the best working condition possible. If its new, it’s the perfect match for your piano.

When it comes down to it, piano rebuilding is best performed by someone with training, skills and knowledge. Rebuilding is as much an art form as it is a science. Trust someone with over 50 years of experience in the piano industry. Give us a call today.

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16 August 2014 Safely Restoring Ivory Piano Keys

Safely Restoring Ivory Piano Keys

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One of the things that often makes a piano special is the history behind it. Imagine sitting down to play a piano that once sat in your great grandmothers home. Just knowing that it was used throughout your history as a source of joy and entertainment can easily make you want to display it front and center in your home.

But if you’ve recently remodeled your home, that decades old, maybe even century old piano or more might not have the same appeal as it once did. And in many cases, one of the largest things that makes it stands out is the keys. Who wants the center stage to fall on yellowed and discolored, or possibly even broken piano keys?Safely Restoring Ivory Piano Keys

Ebony and ivory are rare and precious materials. Replacing keys made from both ivory and ebony can be a very difficult, expensive and time consuming process. And in some cases can be altogether impossible.

When in doubt, check in with a professional before you try and restore these precious materials on your own. There is a level of expertise needed to keep them in good condition without doing further damage. Yes, you can’t believe all the home remedies you find through a simple Google search!

First of all, keep in mind that ivory is a very porous material; it doesn’t do well in high moisture situations, and immediate drying is crucial. Too much moisture can cause ivory to malform, and can also allow seepage through to the glue and wood materials underneath.

Because it is a porous material, stains are often much deeper than the surface. Because it will take a little muscle, it will also take more time. It can take several hours to bring an entire piano keyboard back to its pure white levels.

Many sites recommend lemon juice, which does have whitening power. Keep in mind that lemon juice does have acidic properties, which can wear down the ivory over time. Others recommend milk, which is a far better choice because of its calcium and fatty acid. Use sparingly to prevent seepage.

For stubborn stains, you can purchase an ivory scraper. But keep in mind that this is impacting the ivory layers on your keys. If your piano has ivory, chances are its been cleaned and maintained many times over its life, all which impact the quality and the layers of the keys themselves.

If you have any questions about maintaining the keyboard, especially if its made from ebony and ivory, please give us a call. We can help you choose the right materials and processes to bring it back to a condition you love having on display, and one that will give life to your piano for many more years to come.

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7 July 2014 Tips When Considering Restoring An Antique Piano

Tips When Considering Restoring An Antique Piano

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How do I know if a piano is worth restoring?

Every piano is unique, so its not something that a blanket answer will provide. What we usually tell our clients is that if its an antique piano or has sentimental value, it may be worth the investment of restoration. If its been taken care of, housed in a relatively safe place (no water damage), restoration can breathe new life into your piano and extend its playability for years.

What is the best era of pianos for potential restoration?Tips When Considering Restoring An Antique Piano

Pianos were at the top of their game pre-depression. People had money to spend, and pianos were one of the main forms of entertainment. Therefore manufacturers stepped up their game and provided many different types of pianos, all at premium quality and sound. If you have a piano pre-1932, and it carries a brand name like Chickering, its built and designed very well. After this time frame, many manufacturers went out of business or were combined into large conglomerates, and the quality began deteriorating in some cases. It really is a case by case basis.

Why are piano restoration prices so high?

If you’ve done any research at all into restoring your antique piano, you know prices can quickly climb into the thousands of dollars. To do it right, it will take hundreds of hours of time to make sure every detail is at its optimum level. In some cases hours may be spent finding just the right piece, or if its not available, hand making it from scratch. Keep in mind that restoring an antique piano will usually cost less than buying a new piano of comparable value. Add in the sentiment, and its usually worth considering if you have that as an option.

How long does the restoration process take?

The timeframe for restoration is all on a case by case basis. It depends on the current condition of the piano and what details need to go into the restoration process. It also depends on the restoration company you choose. Many have a waiting list for the process, and it will typically take anywhere from 6 months to a year for the restoration itself.

Which parts are restored and which parts are replaced?

Again, this is usually determined by looking at the piano itself. If an item has the potential of being restored, we do all we can to keep it in its original format. Yet some things automatically deteriorate over time: felt, rubber, leather, strings. When we replace, we do our best to keep it as close to original condition as possible.

Do you work on pianos from all over the country?

Yes, even though we are located in Memphis Tennessee, we have had piano restoration projects from all over. Antique pianos are very durable by nature. Many pianos sat in homes that were poorly insulated and often sat next to freezing windows or open wood stoves. When people bought pianos, they didn’t have modern, climate controlled trucks for delivery. Instead, many pianos sat in trains and were moved to horse and buggies for delivery to its final destination. These pianos were durable and very well built. To bring them in here to our location, restore them to their fullest extent, and return them to you wherever you live isn’t a problem.

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2 July 2014 Choosing Piano Restoration In Memphis Tennessee

Choosing Piano Restoration In Memphis Tennessee

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“I have a piano handed down from my grandma. I learned how to play on it, and now I’m hoping my kids will learn on it too. We’re moving to a new home here in Memphis Tennessee, and I would like to have the piano restored so it looks and sounds great in the main family room where it will be on display. How do I choose the right piano restoration company?”

We speak with many piano players in situations similar to this. And with good reason. When you have a piano that’s been in the family for years, and you want to breathe new life into it for the next generation, questions will arise.

That’s where reputation comes into play.Choosing Piano Restoration In Memphis Tennessee

Before you think about hiring a piano restoration company, start by talking with someone you can trust. We’ve been in business since 1960, and have worked with piano owners from all over the world. The best place to start is with someone who knows pianos well, and has made it a part of their lives for decades.

The first thing a piano restoration company will do is to determine the value of the piano and the probability of it being restored. If its been in your home and well taken care of over the years, there is usually no problem with the possibility of restoring it. Where pianos begin to fail is with years of neglect, often in storage or a garage where the elements can get to it. Once water seeps into a piano, its usually too late for the restoration process. But if it has been well cared for, restoration will only improve its current condition.

When it comes to piano restoration, there are three approaches to the project, depending on the level of repair your piano needs: repair, reconditioning, or rebuilding. Each has a separate process and a different level of investment; we can help you determine how much work your piano will need to return to its prior beauty. Checkout or piano restoration here.

If you are from Memphis Tennessee, the advantage of working with someone from Memphis Tennessee is you’ll have a resource you can rely on right in your own home town. Of course we’ve helped people with their restoration projects throughout the country, and take pride in every job we do. When you want to bring your piano back to life, the most important part of the project is finding the right person for the job. And with decades of experience, we’re happy to give you our approach to the project, and help you make the decision that is right for you.

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The Rebuilding of a Steinway Piano

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What is the number one selling piano in America? The Steinway piano. For most people, if they are familiar at all with manufacturers of pianos, they have heard of the Steinway name.

Steinway began as a piano manufacturer in New York by German immigrants. Later they opened another location in Hamburg, Germany. Today they operate out of both locations, and are known throughout the world for their quality. If fact, here in the US, 5 out of every 8 pianos produced each year carries the Steinway name.

And because of the name, a Steinway piano is a good investment because it retains its value now and will continue to do so for many years to come. Steinway pianos have high demand because many people have their minds made up that they will only purchase a Steinway piano.

Yet the longer you own a piano – any piano – like anything, it will need maintenance, repair, and eventually even rebuilding. So the question becomes “if you rebuild a Steinway with anything but Steinway parts, is it still a Steinway?”

Like most questions, there are two sides to the thought.

Lets take the example of replacing the soundboard. The soundboard on a piano is responsible for the tone the piano produces. The soundboard is often thought of as the heart of the piano. If you remove the original Steinway soundboard and replace it with something else, in essence it no longer produces the same sound it was once capable of. And therefore in many eyes, its no longer a true Steinway piano.

And in addition to the soundboard, there are many other pieces to a piano: strings, hammers, felts. What if these need replacing? The more you replace, is it still a Steinway?

Steinway & Sons pianos aren’t in the business of selling used Steinways or in selling Steinway parts. They are in the business of selling new pianos. They are not a parts manufacturer.

So let’s say your family has A Steinway piano from the 1950s, and it is finally passed down to you. You want to rebuild it and put in on display in the center of your home.

If you call Steinway and ask for the parts you need, they may send you Steinway parts. But because they no longer build the Steinway in your home, they may not match what was used in the past. The weight could be off or the geometry may be wrong. Many things could have changed, meaning that the fit isn’t up to original standards, and the quality of the sound goes down.

If you deal with a reputable piano restoration company, they know to use reputable manufacturers that will only supply high quality parts that will match particular vintages of pianos better than what Steinway may have at the time. An exact match means the tone remains as high quality as possible.

So the question is often left to you, the customer and the piano player, to supply the answer. What is the most important aspect of having your Steinway in top quality condition? We can answer all of your questions, and help you make the right choice for you.

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10 May 2014 Piano Restoration Is It A Do It Yourself Project?

Piano Restoration Is It A Do It Yourself Project?

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I have a family friend who is downsizing and asked if I wanted their old piano. Its been down in their basement in storage for years and hasn’t been played or tuned during that timeframe. I have young kids that I would love to have learn to play, and this seems like a great way of getting a piano for them. Should I do it? Can I clean it up and make it playable on my own, or should I hire a professional piano restoration team instead. I played piano myself as a child, but that’s been years and I’m not sure I have what it takes to make this a do it yourself project and make the piano functional as well.

Some things are easy do it yourself projects. And some things aren’t. Piano restoration falls into the latter category. Here’s why.Piano Restoration Is It A Do It Yourself Project?

First of all, a piano has many different parts, each that have to be in good working order for it to be a playable instrument. Sure, you can play a piano even if its wildly out of tune, but will you have an enjoyable experience when nothing sounds quite right to your ear? Its hard for anyone to learn or appreciate music in that situation.

The first determination is to find out what works and what doesn’t. Soundboards tend to dry out, shrink and crack as they age, especially if they are in an environment they aren’t well suited for and has varying temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year. Keys can be worn, strings can be broken or missing, rust can be set in place, glue joints can be coming apart. In short, there are many things that may be wrong, and if you don’t have the knowledge or skill to look for the underlying problem, fixing it is an impossibility.

Your first hurdle is often the moving process. It isn’t like a chair or table you can pick up and put in the back of a pickup truck and drive back to your home. Depending on the size of the piano, you could do serious damage to the piano or even to you, the movers, if you attempt it on your own. Piano movers are always recommended as they have the experience to get it safely from one location to the other.

Piano restoration can be something as simple as restoring the case in which the piano resides, to something complex like restoring the entire piano, inside and out. Cost varies depending on the amount of work that needs to be done, and the type and style of piano we’re working with. The only way to truly know what work needs to be performed is to view the piano itself.

Would your family friend be open to having a piano restoration consultant come out and look at the piano before you consider the move? It’s the only way to determine what value the piano holds for you and your family.

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9 May 2014 Upright Piano Restoration: Is It Time?

Upright Piano Restoration: Is It Time?

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Do you have an old upright piano you are considering restoring? No matter how long its been since you played it, you can bring it to its original condition once again.

If you have have been contemplating a restoration for your upright piano, but have been holding back because you weren’t sure of the process, here are a few guidelines to show you what is possible during the restoration process, and how your piano will look when the work is complete.

For most pianos that come in for restoration, they have specific problems that either make the piano unplayable, or simply an eye sore because of missing or broken parts.

The most important part of restoration is keeping the piano at historically correct specifications while maintaining as much of the original parts as possible.Upright Piano Restoration: Is It Time?

If a piano is old, worn, and materials have deteriorated over time, certain parts will most likely be replaced: felts, leather, strings – these will be replaced to make the mechanics of the piano top quality.

If the cabinet is still in good shape, as much of it as possible will be maintained. A great restorer will focus in on keeping the wood as original as possible, while focusing in on adding molding, carvings, and other details to match what still exists. When completed, it will receive a high quality lacquer finish to give it beauty and shine.

If ivory is present, we will attempt to restore whenever possible. Ivory is now outlawed from purchase due to the Endangered Species Act, but if it exists in your piano and it is fixable, every attempt will be made to use it. If not, faux ivory will be used in its place.

In all piano restorations, the soundboard is repaired and refinished to guarantee you a quality sound. New action pieces are used whenever appropriate, such as shanks and hammers, strings and turning pins. Upright piano pinblocks are plugged and re-drilled as needed to increase the integrity of the final instrument.

Above all, care is given to the entire instrument throughout the process. And when you see the final piano in your home, moved and tuned with care, you’ll once again be proud of the piano that has been a big part of your life up until this moment, and has years of life left to give.

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30 April 2014 Antique Piano Restoration

Antique Piano Restoration

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Antique Piano RestorationIf you have an older piano in need of repair, there are many things you can search for when looking for information on how to go about it. Antique piano restoration, piano refinishing, piano repairs, or even piano refurbishing are all common terms in the piano industry.

But no matter what you call it, it all leads to the same outcome. It’s the process of bringing a piano back to a playable and serviceable condition.

Before you begin, start by asking yourself one question. Is the piano worth the cost of the rebuild? In most cases, the answer is yes because not only does it take into account the condition the piano will be in after the restoration, it may also have sentimental value as well.

What are the benefits of piano restoration?

  • In many cases, the cost or repairs and/or restoration will be far less than what you would pay for a brand new piano of equal quality.
  • If your piano is antique, the piano casing and style is probably no longer available. In many cases the wood is far superior to wood used today, and in order to maintain the old look and feel, which may match your home’s décor, restoration may be the best option.
  • If you own an antique piano, chances are it has some sentimental value to it. Yet no matter how much sentiment it carries, if it isn’t playable, it doesn’t have much value. Restoration will increase its intrinsic value all around.
  • If you are trying to live green and be friendlier on the environment, restoration is the way to go. To care for something that’s already in our homes rather than sending it to the landfill will always be a savings overall.
  • Many older pianos have been hand crafted, and therefore have details that only can come from being made individually by hand. Those loving details can be saved and highlighted during a restoration process.

Each piano restoration is unique to the individual piano that is being restored. It may contain a component of rebuilding, reconditioning, or even just general repair, depending on the extent of damage.

To get a better understanding of what we could do with your antique piano restoration process, give us a call today. We’re happy to answer all of your questions as you consider this highly detailed process.

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5 October 2013 Piano Restoration, Rebuilding and Reconditioning: Know What You Are Getting

Piano Restoration, Rebuilding and Reconditioning: Know What You Are Getting

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Maybe your piano hasn’t been serviced in years. Maybe you’ve inherited your piano from a friend and you simply don’t know what condition its in. Is it worth saving? Is it worth investing the time and money necessary to bring it back to good working condition?

Piano Restoration, Rebuilding and Reconditioning: Know What You Are GettingIn the piano restoration world, the term “restoration” means a lot of things to different people. And just like every industry, “reputable” isn’t always in a persons vocabulary either, even though they are promoting themselves as a piano servicing company.

The best way to get what you paid for is to learn what you can before you hire someone, and ask as many questions along the way to ensure you piano received the treatment it needs.

Reconditioning

The term reconditioning when it comes to a piano means improving what is already there. A piano that has moderate wear or one in the medium price range can almost always benefit from a reconditioning.

With a reconditioning, the piano is cleaned, repaired, and adjusted for best performance, and will only have parts replaced when absolutely necessary. It is not designed to improve the life span of an older piano, and will not improve overall sound quality above what the piano was capable of in the first place.

Rebuilding

With a piano rebuild, the piano will be disassembled, inspected and repaired as necessary. All worn, damaged or deteriorated parts will be replaced. The piano is then rebuilt, tested and adjusted to the same or similar tolerances as a new piano.

A complete rebuild includes the entire piano’s structure, including soundboard, bridges, pinblock and strings, as well as the keyboard, action and case refinishing.

A partial rebuild includes only one or two of these areas: for example, it may include rebuilding the structure and the action, but not the refinishing.

Restoration

Restoration is the catchall phrase many restores use within the industry. In most cases, restoration can include all of the above. Which is why it is important to talk with the person you are considering hiring, and make sure you understand exactly the service you will receive.

A reputable piano dealer and restoration service will welcome your questions and provide you with as much detail as you need to feel comfortable with the process.

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