Do you have an old piano that was handed down to you from your parents or grandparents? Is your old piano on display in your living or family room, but doesn’t play the way you wish it would?
Pianos aren’t just instruments you tuck away and pull out only when you wish to play them. Instead, they can be works of art themselves. Yet when they don’t play correctly, it can be frustrating.
Pianos are the most complex instrument, with thousands of moving parts to create sound. And as you probably know, if some of those parts aren’t operating correctly, the sound can be anything but soothing.
Many things can happen over time.
interior of a concert grand piano – wide orientation
- The felt wears away
- The strings lose tension
- The strings break
- The wooden structure cracks
- The exterior loses its sheen
Can it be fixed?
Most pianos can go years without any major repair. The more you maintain it, the longer it can go before requiring major restoration. But once you start seeing the signs, you’ll have a decision to make. Ask yourself these three questions.
Is the overall condition of the piano in good shape? If the piano has been subjected to extreme neglect, severe fire or water damage, it may be beyond repair.
Is the original quality of the piano good enough to restore? Some pianos were simply cheap imitations of the real thing. If it had little value when it was created, no matter how much restoration you do, you’ll never have a quality instrument.
Will it take more money to repair it than it would cost to replace it? Now maybe the time to invest in something new.
Only you can decide how much commitment you want to put into restoring an old piano. If you have any questions, we’re here to help.
