Are you a do-it-yourselfer? Do you enjoy little projects around the home?
The piano you brought home from your grandmother’s house may be the perfect thing to tinker with on the weekends.
Or is it?
If you’ve been asking, “should I refinish my piano myself,” we have a few thoughts to help you along. Restoring an old piano may seem like an easy thing to do. We have a few words of advice.
Pianos are complex instruments with over 10,000 pieces in place. While you may see hardwood, keys, and pedals on the outside, inside is an intricate array of wires, bolts, wood, and other components all linked together to create an instrument.
On the outside, you may notice dingy wood, dusty keys, and maybe a cabinet waiting for a new coat of paint or stain. That seems easy enough.
But stripping it down takes a lot of work. It means stripping off all the lacquer finish, and sanding it down. Will the keys be protected while you do that? What about the strings?
To restore a piano the right way means taking every piece apart and ensuring its quality.
- The action frame
- The keyboard
- Hammers
- Soundboard
- Dampers
- Pins
- Treble strings
- Bass strings
- Legs
- Wheels
Do you wish to restore your piano to its original condition? That can involve hunting for the right parts, finding as close to the original as possible.
Do you understand the nuances of ensuring the soundboard is installed correctly? Are the strings adequately tightened? Are the hammers properly adjusted?
Most people don’t have the necessary skills to ensure every piece of the piano remains in good working condition.
Should you refinish your piano yourself? Only you can decide.
If you want to leave it to a professional, we can help you restore it to its original glory, and make it an instrument you’ll be proud to display for years to come.
