Rebuilding & Reconditioning

WHEN DOES A PIANO NEED RECONDITIONING OR REBUILDING?

Most pianos can be played for many years without major repairs. However, the tone, touch, and appearance will continually decline with age. When regular maintenance such as cleaning, regulating, voicing, and tuning can no longer provide satisfactory performance, a piano may require reconditioning or rebuilding.

Exactly when a piano needs rebuilding or reconditioning depends on its original quality, the climate, usage, and performance requirements. One piano may need rebuilding after just twenty years, while another may need only reconditioning after fifty years. The best way to decide is to seek out a qualified piano rebuilder with the judgment, experience, and expertise to advise you on such an important decision. If your Registered Piano Technician does not offer rebuilding services, ask for referrals.

HOW DO I DECIDE IF MAJOR REPAIRS ARE APPROPRIATE?

Not all pianos are worth the expense of reconditioning or rebuilding. In consultation with your piano technician, you should consider the following factors:

The overall condition of the piano. Can it really be restored to original condition or is it deteriorated beyond repair?

Pianos subjected to severe fire, flood, or moving damage may not be repairable.

The quality, size, and type of the piano. Low priced, small pianos of poor design have limited potential.

If the rebuilt piano would not be capable of meeting your performance needs, it would be better to replace it with one of better design.

The cost of repairs versus replacement. Major repairs may exceed the value of small low-quality pianos. However, most large high-quality instruments can be rebuilt for one-half to two-thirds the cost of a comparable new piano, making rebuilding a cost-effective option for fine pianos.

Sentimental value, personal attachment, or historical value may justify investing in major repairs rather than replacement.

WHAT WORK IS INCLUDED IN RECONDITIONING?

Thorough cleaning.

Repair or replacement of damaged parts as needed, typically including such jobs as felt replacement, hammer filing or replacement, and partial restringing.

Adjustment, regulation, tuning, and voicing to return all parts to proper function, reduce mechanical noise, and improve tone.

WHAT WORK IS INCLUDED IN REBUILDING?

Complete disassembly of the instrument.

Repair or replacement of soundboard, bridges, and pinblock, as well as repair of any structural damage to the case.

Replacement of all strings and tuning pins

Thorough restoration of action and damper system, including replacement of hammers, many action parts, springs, and most felt.

Rebuilding of the pedal and trapwork system, including replacement of all worn felt, leather, and metal parts.

Refinishing of case and plate, polishing or replating of all hardware, and replacement of all decals, felt trims, and rubber buttons.

Complete action regulation, tuning, and voicing.

Multiple tunings to stabilize new strings.

HOW DO I ARRANGE FOR THESE MAJOR REPAIRS?

If you suspect that your piano needs major repairs, have a complete evaluation done by a qualified piano technician who specializes in rebuilding. Discuss costs versus benefits of various repair options, and whether the completed piano would meet your performance requirements. Most rebuilders will provide you with a written proposal. Expect to pay a modest fee for this service.

You may want to visit the rebuilder's shop to inspect other work in progress, or ask for a reference list of past clients. Checking out similar jobs will give you a sense of how your instrument could be improved, as well as a feeling for the technician's workmanship.

When you decide to proceed with major work, be sure to ask for a written contract. This enables you to know exactly what will get done to your piano and the associated costs, estimated completion date, payment method, and guarantee policy.