Fully dismantled. The casework, action and keyboard are removed to the bench. The piano is laid on its back for cleaning, checking casters, replacing pedal felts and string work.
Action work. The hammers are removed, refaced and new tapes cut and attached. This is a time consuming exercise which requires skill and patience. Very rarely are power tools used in the process of reconditioning, in fact a piano can be rebuilt using a collection of specialist hand tools. Many tools in my case date back to the late 1800's and they are, in my opinion, better than most of the new ones available.
Reassembly. Worn parts are replaced, springs, centre pins, felts, etc, moving parts are burnished and all is aligned and tightened. Finally the mechanism is adjusted (regulated) back into the instrument. The feel, touch and response of a piano can be be revived to its original condition by this process. This can take many hours but is a very satisfying completion to the restoration process.
A 7ft grand piano being restrung. Top quality Roslau music wire is used throughout. This comes in approx 20 different gauges to enable fine scaling and tension design. Each treble string is individually made and wound. New tuning pins are fitted to match hole size in wrest plank. This piano has been fitted with a new plank, a massive undertaking which involves removing of the cast iron frame. The bass strings are very specialist hand wound in copper, one of the few makers of these strings lives and works in Suffolk.
- Many pianos are quite serviceable after 100 years of use and with care and basic maintenance they may see another 100 years
- The action and keys are the 'engine' of your piano
- The strings, bridge and soundboard are the 'speaking' element of the tone.
- The casework enhances the aesthetic and financial valve of the instrument as domestic furniture.
- I can undertake most restoration work, including collection and delivery.