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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2 August 2014 What’s Your Piano’s Bluebook Value?

What’s Your Piano’s Bluebook Value?

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Have an old piano and are wondering about its value? Did you recently inherit a piano and wonder if its worth restoring to enhance its value?

We get questions like this all the time.

If you are trying to determine a fair value for your piano, it can be a difficult process at best. There are many things that go into the process of determining its value. Things like:

  • Local market – a piano from a dealer in New York City will cost more than from a dealer in a small mid-west town
  • Supply and demand – there is more demand in a large city filled with musical opportunities than in a small rural town
  • Quality – quality of a piano is determined both by the internal and external features of the piano, as well as the manufacturer, when it was made, and the care it received

What’s Your Piano’s Bluebook Value?Yet if you head online, you’ll find all kinds of sites that offer you bluebook value of a piano, charge you a small fee for “coaching” to tell you what you should pay for a piano, or even offer to appraise your piano to tell you its worth.

The problem is most of the time, this is pure guess work.

Traditional bluebook values for items like cars are easier to track because a car has a title that follows it through its life. The title will show the make, model, year, color, etc of the car, and assess its value based on all events that occur around that car. Its easy to track.

Not so with a piano. Pianos don’t have titles, they aren’t registered, and there is no way of tracking all the detail that followed a piano throughout its life. So where do sites like these get their information?

If you are in the market for a piano, there are a few ways to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Work with a reputable dealer that knows pianos. When you buy from online sites and individual sellers, you have no idea the history of the piano, its care or its ability to create quality music. A dealer makes sure every piano that is sold meets certain qualifications and will provide quality sound in the future.

Compare pianos. When you call on an ad from Craigslist, what you see is what you get. You buy, you haul it away, you deal with the consequences. You purchase as is and will have no idea if it’s the right piano for you, your learning abilities, or the location you will place the piano. All of which make a huge difference in your ability to stick with playing the piano for a lifetime.

Quality can quickly be compromised if the piano isn’t well cared for. If an individual is selling it, how well was it maintained? Did it exist in a storage shed or a garage for years before it was cleared away? Has it been tuned in the last year (or even decade for that matter)? Even when you push and pull to get it into the back of your truck, bounce it around as you move it into your home, all of that can take its toll on the sound quality.

If you don’t have quality sound, you are less likely to continue playing because you simply won’t be able to “hear” something that makes sense.

If you want to give yourself or your family the best chance at success, make sure you buy a quality piano from a reputable dealer.

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19 July 2014 Spinet Piano – Should You Restore?

Spinet Piano – Should You Restore?

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The spinet piano goes back to the Great Depression.

In the 1930s, times were tough. People were still recovering from the economic downturn that rocked society. They remembered the good times from before; yet no longer had the income to live life the way they used to. Although many wanted a piano for entertainment, the traditional uprights and grand pianos were simply out of reach.

And so the spinet piano was born.Spinet Piano – Should You Restore?

Spinet pianos were manufactured between the 1930s and the 1990s. They were smaller in size, cheaper in price, and inferior in sound.

The casing for a spinet piano is smaller than that of a regular piano. Because of the smaller size, the strings are shorter. Shorter strings reduce the quality of the sound, especially in the deeper keys.

And because of the smaller casing, it also impacts the mechanism used to produce sound. The keys are shorter in order to make room for the drop action. A traditional piano makes sound by having a striking key cause a hammer to strike the piano string, resulting in immediate sound. In a spinet, the action is dropped below the keys. When a key is struck, the movement pulls on rods to engage the action, resulting in poor leverage and thus a poorer quality of sound.

While many of the early spinets were of good quality, in many cases quality was compromised as time went on. Because of a huge increase in competition in the 1950s and 1960s, price came down along with workmanship. Cheaper parts were used to keep costs down, meaning quality inside and out was shoddy at best. While spinets did the job for a little while, the musician playing it quickly learned the differences between spinets and traditional upright or grand pianos.

Because of limited space inside the spinet piano, even a simple tuning can be a monumental task. In many cases the entire spinet piano must be disassembled to work on any portion of it. All eighty eight connecting rods must be disconnected and tied up, then all of the keys must be removed before the action can be lifted out and repaired. Even once all parts have been removed, it can still be a difficult process to tune.

For all these reasons and more, restoring a spinet piano is usually performed on a case by case basis. Have more questions about your own restoration project? Have a spinet piano you aren’t quite sure of its value? Give us a call today.

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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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4 June 2014 The 3 Rs of Piano Restoration

The 3 Rs of Piano Restoration

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“Wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.” ~Tom Wilson

When it comes to pianos, unfortunately age isn’t always the best of friends. Even under the best of conditions, as a piano ages, things begin to wear. And once something passes the point of no return, the only way to move forward is to have it fixed.

In the world of pianos, a piano may need one of 3 Rs: repair, reconditioning or rebuilding.The 3 Rs of Piano Restoration

Repair

A piano is typically in need of repair if it has an isolated broken part, such as a broken string or an improperly working pedal. The key is isolated – usually one problem exists and it’s a relatively easy fix to get it back into working order. It doesn’t need work in upgrading the condition as a whole, instead it usually involves one part.

Reconditioning

When a piano is in need of reconditioning, it usually has multiple problems and in general needs upgrading of the whole piano. The key with reconditioning is the piano is usually in a fairly good shape, the parts are still in working order, possibly with problems or defects. Reconditioning involves taking the current piano and making it better, typically by overhauling the existing parts. For instance, an upright piano may need resurfacing of the hammers and twisting the strings for better sound. It may involve a thorough cleaning, regulating the action and tuning of the entire piano. While reconditioning a piano, a few broken parts may be found and repaired, but overall reconditioning is the process of keeping what’s there intact, and making it better.

Rebuilding

Rebuilding is the most complex of the 3 Rs. A piano rebuild is a complete renovation of an existing piano. It may include restringing the piano, replacing the pinblock, or replacing the soundboard. It may include replacing the hammer heads, damper felts or the key bushings. It may include replacing parts of the piano case.

Ideally, rebuilding means putting the piano back into factory new condition, using as many new parts as necessary to return it to original condition. However, the rebuilding process is always a unique process depending on the individual piano itself. If a piano needs restringing, its classified as a rebuild.

To find out exactly what your piano needs to get it into top working order, give us a call today.

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31 May 2014 3 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Restored Piano

3 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Restored Piano

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The piano is one of the oldest instruments we use in our modern society. We’ve upgraded the piano, moved it into the digital world, and even used technology to increase the style and sound. But overall, the piano is still one of the most versatile instruments around.

Whether you’re just starting out, or have been playing for years, when it comes time to buy there are many questions that begin forming in your mind. New? Used? Buy a small keyboard from a discount store? Or invest in something that will last a lifetime?

3 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Restored PianoIt can be a very difficult process indeed.

Pianos typically come in one of three ways:

  • New
  • Used
  • Restored

New is self explanatory. If you choose to buy a new piano, you will have a make and model created this year using today’s materials and technology. It’s a viable option for someone that wants quality sound at a reasonable price.

If you are open to other opportunities, you may consider used or restored. That’s where the confusion sets in. And it leads us to 3 questions you should consider:

What is the difference between used and restored?

The two words seem interchangeable, but that’s not the case. If someone purchases a piano now, a year or two down the road they may decide to sell it due to a move, or they simply don’t play any more and want to free up the space for other things. When they sell it, its considered used.

Will a restored piano hold its value more?

A restored piano is usually a high quality piano created 30, 40, even 50 years ago or more. It still functions well, may have sentimental value, and overall is in good shape. It needs fine tuning to bring it back to its original quality.

Pianos hold their value well. And if a restored piano has sentimental value – it may have been owned by a famous pianist, or in the home of a prominent official – it can be highly valuable both now and in the future.

What do I need to know about a restored piano?

Restored pianos usually come with a history. If you buy from a private citizen that history may be lost in translation. But if you buy from a dealer, often times you will have details on the life of the piano. Pianos depreciate very little, and with a little work, can sometimes appreciate. The more you know, the more you’ll be able to share throughout its life with you.

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The Grand Piano Restoration Process

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I was touring a home of a historical figure on a recent trip. As we moved from the study to the main living area, the room opened up with two story ceilings. One wall was floor to ceiling windows. And several sitting areas were created with furniture, the highlight was a grand piano sitting in the middle, ready to entertain at a moments notice.Piano Restoration, Rebuilding and Reconditioning: Know What You Are Getting

The guide explained how the room was specifically designed to provide the best acoustics for music. And a volunteer quickly moved from the audience when she asked if anyone played. True to the guide’s word, the sound was amazing, and for just a moment, the entire tour group imagined what it must have been like sitting there listening on a regular basis, enjoying the gardens that were on display through the windows.

There’s something about a grand piano that brings magic to those around it. Its not just the music it makes; the look and feel of the piano doesn’t just blend in with the woodwork, it becomes the focal point for the entire room.

For many people, owning a grand piano is at the top of their bucket lists. To be able to have a room in which to display it, and have it masterfully placed in a position all can enjoy is worth the investment.

If you have a grand piano in your life, keeping it in top quality condition is important. You tune it when needed. You repair it when required. But after so many years of tuning and minor repair work, it might be time for something more.

The grand piano restoration process is unique and specialized. It depends on the current condition of the piano, and what is needed both to keep it in as close to original condition as possible, while returning its sound to one that makes beautiful music.

Every grand piano that goes through restoration has several aspects that will be addressed: pinblock fitting, soundboard repair or replacement, and action part replacement. Pinblocks may be one of the most vital corrections to a restored grand piano.If its not properly created and fitted, it will either be untunable for as long as it should, or may not produce the quality sound it once had. Soundboards have a long life, and without extensive damage can often be repaired to maintain originality with your piano. And with every piano, the action parts – mechanical components that create the sound, such as strings, hammers, hammer shanks, springs, pads, etc – simply wear out over time. All can be fixed or replaced, depending on the condition.

Do you have a room ready and waiting for your restored grand piano? Give us a call today, and we can help you decide if restoration is the right path for you.

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24 May 2014 Questions To Ask A Piano Restoration Company

Questions To Ask A Piano Restoration Company

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Anyone can say they are piano restoration experts, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are. If you want to find the best company to help you restore a piano that holds special meaning for you, be prepared with a list of questions as you head out looking for the right person for the job.

Why should we choose your company?Questions To Ask A Piano Restoration Company

Listen closely to how a company responds. Do they talk more about what they do, or how they can help you? Piano restoration services aren’t about the piano, and they aren’t all about how good the business is. Instead, its all about your needs and what means the most to you. A good restoration company will listen to you and offer you what you need most.

Is my piano worth restoring?

If a piano has sentimental value for you, its worth restoring. People think about piano restoration services for a variety of reasons. Some love their pianos, maybe they’ve been in the family for generations. Bringing it back to the best sound and the best look, without compromising the original quality is what restoration is all about. Some people have an antique that needs work, and with a little TLC, it might increase the value. Their desires are to sell; restoration is a way to make it more valuable. Both situations are viable as a reason to restore. Make sure the restoration company knows your ultimate goal so they can give you the best advice on the direction to move towards.

Why is it hard to compare restoration services from one company to the next?

Piano restoration is an art form. No two pianos are alike, and no two restoration projects will be the same. Each restorer uses his own methods, has his own ideas, and believes what he does based on the experience he has had in the past. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all that you read online, the best way to move forward is to give us a call or email us, and we can offer you sound advice from someone who’s been in the business for over 50 years.

What if I don’t live near the restoration company I’m considering? If I live in Atlanta, should I consider someone in Memphis?

The key to working with a piano restoration company is finding someone you resonate with; someone you feel will do the best job for you. We have clients all over the country, and have close relationships with a variety of piano moving companies. Great restoration companies know the importance is in getting the job done right, not limiting based on geographical region.

What if I don’t have a piano, but I have special requirements in the piano I want to buy? I’m looking for a vintage piano, and want to make sure its restored to mint condition. Can you help?

A great restoration company is a part of the industry. They understand new and old, vintage and antique, as well as high quality restoration. If you have specific requests, the best place to start is with a conversation. A great restorer will have many contacts within the industry, and can start making calls on your behalf, looking for the perfect piano for you.

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