Piano Health

4 steps for Piano Health

1. Send Open Keylid your piano, sometimes

Keeping your floor closed when not in use is a good habit to get ... 70% of the time. The particles of dust and air can build into a sticky mess between the piano keys, resulting in mobility problems. However, if the lid is closed for too long, mold growth can occur inside the piano. This is especially true if your piano is kept in a dark room or damp.

* Keep the keylid on a couple of times a week during daylight hours. indirect sunlight and good air circulation will discourage the formation of mold inside your piano.

* A fresh once-over with an attachment for vacuum cleaners can help to combat the accumulation of dust.

* If you have a keyboard, invest in a properly fitted cover. Mold is generally not a problem here.

2. No drinks on the piano!

If the liquid seeps between the piano keys and reach the interior, it can cause large (and expensive) damage. Damage done to finish the exterior wood is a fact.

* If the liquid gets between the keys, contact a registered piano technician as soon as possible. Do not remove the keys and groped by themselves address the mess.

* If the liquid gets on the piano, blot excess liquid from the surface of the keys'. To avoid further dripping, try not to press any button during this operation.

* For spills on keyboards electrical: Disconnect all at once. Groped not shake the keyboard dry, this liquid can drive deeper into your instrument.

3. Humidity levels ideal for a Piano

Pianos are very sensitive to changes in humidity. high levels of humidity can cause wood to warp, and lower humidity can cause cracking.

The wooden floor was placed and intricate craftsmanship, and the sound quality is based on it. Changes in the wood can also affect tuning, and if the time wood or loose, the strings will go out and pitch.

* Keep your piano away from heating vents and windows, and close the door to your room if the piano is near a kitchen or bathroom.

* Monitor the levels of indoor humidity, and regulate them with a humidifier or dehumidifier. 40% humidity is ideal.

* Close all windows in the room of the piano to avoid condensation. This is particularly important for your electric piano.

4. Adjust the climate around Piano

The temperature can be another enemy of the piano. The cold can weaken delicate wooden parts, and the use of a piano under these conditions can cause these parts snap. Heat can affect the strings and loosen the felt on the hammers. The room temperature (70-72 ° C, 21-22 ° C) is ideal.

* Adjust the temperature of the room with an air conditioner or heater, but piano to keep a distance from both.

* Keep your piano away from an outside wall. If no other space is available, the position of the piano at least six feet away from it.

* Close all doors and windows of your room floor, and do not allow direct sunlight to touch your instrument. It can damage the inside, causing discoloration and breakdown of the lining of the piano.

Tune Piano

How Tune an Upright Piano

Tuning should be part of regular care and maintenance for each piano, including grands, upright or spinet-style instruments. Finalization of the piano requires time and careful work, but can be done without extensive training from the owners of the piano with the right tools.

Things You'll Need:
• Mutes
• Tuning key
• Electronic Tuner

Instructions:

1. Clear the area around the upright piano and put all your tools within easy reach. Open the top or front of the pianoe to expose the action, which consists of hammers and strings.

2. Find the strings that connect the center C. Wedge the silence beneath the two outside strings. Insert the key on the pin tuning knob to the center string.

3. Hit the button repeatedly while watching the electronic tuner to see if it is proved that the string is a perfect reproduction of C. If the string is flat, C or less perfect, turn the key to keeping a bit 'on the left to loosen and then gradually to the right to raise and tighten the rope. If the string is sharp, perfect C or higher, turn the tuning key on the left to loosen and lower the pitch of the string. Always less than or loosen a string of a small amount before you tighten a string. Turn the key optimization very slowly and carefully. When the noise of the key strikes the string causes the electronic tuner to show that the string is playing a perfect C, "set up" by turning the key slightly to the right tune. When you remove the key, the string will be set to fall camp in a very small amount to the correct pitch.

4. Remove the key carefully and slowly. Remove the mute and a spot on the rope to the outside right. Strike the C button and listen to the beats --- the "wah-wah" --- sounds coming from the center left and the string to be matched. Place the tuning key on the pin for the string to the left and slowly and carefully lower and then adjust as needed until the strings in unison sound and you hear the oscillations of the jokes.

5. Repeat for the third string of the note (if any) so that it is in line with the two strings that have already tuned.

6. Repeat this process for each half of the eighth note. When the half octave is tuned, tune the adjacent octaves, alternating tuning octaves above and below the average of an octave.

Clean Inside a Grand piano lid

How Clean Inside a Grand piano lid
If you have a grandpiano, you know how to dust and dirt can get under the cover. There are several things you can do on your own to clean the inside of the lid of the piano and keep it clean.

Instructions:

1. When possible, keep the lid closed. If you have the top most of the time, the piano will trap a lot of dust and dirt. Just open when you really need or want the full sound the look and beauty of a great open.

2. Take a soft cloth dust and dust carefully the front area around the ankles and easily accessible area around the ropes. Be sure to use a white cloth without any oil, since oil can damage the pins or strings. You can do this every couple of weeks.

3. For a more thorough cleaning, vacuum the area with the pin brush vacuum dust. Then back around to empty strings and very lightly and carefully on the ropes.

4. When the piano is very dusty, blow the dirt around the ankles and under the ropes with a shop vacuum or a void that can be reversed in order to blow. This blow dust around the room, so be prepared to clean the rest of the room later. Some tuners use this method.

5. Another method used by tuners is this: Get a clean cloth and place it carefully under the ropes, push it around and pull out again. To move the rag, tuners use a flexible steel called implement sound card, which can be ordered on the Internet. Caution is needed because the steel can scratch your sound card or damage a string. I personally have replaced a plastic stick with good success. If you want to try this, do not use too often a rag, and be careful. If you have a very valuable tool, ask your tuner to do it for you. In any case, if you follow all the other steps, your piano will remain clean in much, much more.

Rebuilt Piano Steinway

Used and Rebuilt Steinway

We are the largest U.S. independent dealer of used and rebuilt Steinway, with nearly 100 Steinway pianos in our inventory.

Steinway that we carry include those that are almost new, the ones that are rebuilt, and those that are used in good condition, very good or excellent. Our mission, to be the leading rebuilder and supplier of quality pianos Steinway concert pianists looking for the best quality piano for their money, you get in three main ways:

* We hand-pick our inventory Steinway. This is particularly important since no two Steinways are the same. We carefully select Steinways only able to meet (or have the potential to meet) our standard of quality and performance.

* We have our piano restoration facility of 12,000 feet, where our highly skilled craftsmen who use our machines owned and processes that have been developed and refined over the past 30 years, to rebuild our era Steinway to their original splendor. We set the industry standard for the reconstruction quality Steinway, which only benefits our customers as we do not offer our services reconstruction of other dealers. The market has clearly recognized the quality of our reconstruction and value, as we sell our rebuilt pianos at competitive prices with the prices of other rebuilders, generally sell in the secondary market for the premiums remarkable pianos rebuilt by others. The "Faust Harrison rebuilt Steinway" has become a highly sought after brand in and of itself. Steinway



* Our staff has a combined sales of the largest deposits of Steinway knowledge and expertise in the world, that our customers are very valuable, considering that no two Steinways are the same and there are real differences between the new, nearly new , used and rebuilt Steinways.


Of the Steinway that we carry:

* Our Steinways almost new look, and sound like new, but they cost about 75% of the price of a new Steinway.

* Our completely renovated and decorated with vintage vintage Steinways usually cost about 75-80% of the price of comparable new models.

* We used 'value' pianos are prepared and detailed to be the best possible without incurring the expense of a complete renovation, and that means less cost.

Vintage Piano

The Soul of a Vintage Piano

There is a difference between a properly restored vintage Steinway piano and a factory product of any brand. Once again, I will illustrate this with an example. Imagine a Yamaha C7 (7 ft 5 inches) and a vintage restored Steinway B (6 feet 11 inches), sitting side by side in a room with good acoustics. You sit down to play the C 7, and is a wonderful piano. Moves to compare the Steinway B sound and touch. As you play you realize that there is a subtle difference in sound.

The Steinway has a warm sound more resonant and responsive feel. Do you realize that the sound of this piano is truly unique. It may not be exactly duplicated no matter how hard you might try. Here are the reasons. The Yamaha was built in a factory. Every part of the installation of the piano has been mechanized to the extent possible. The screws are tightened all exactly the same.

The tolerances of the notches and bridge pins are correct. The result is a mass-produced wonderful piano. In comparison, the restored vintage Steinway is stripped down by hand, hand-finished, the finish is rubbed raw by hand in a process that takes weeks. The best color for the finish is chosen specifically for that piano. Subsequently, the sound card, pin block and bridge caps are replaced.

The sound card is topped up by a table of belly man belly. Each table has different characteristics. Every man does his stomach in his own way, and all of its pianos have as recognizable as his work. Subsequently, the action is stripped, cleaned, re felted, reassembled, regulated, and voiced in a process that takes weeks. The best parts of action are considered specifically for the character of the sound you want for that piano.

Once the piano is drawn and developed the tone regulation begins. Although this work continues with the aim to bring out the character of that piano in particular. The result is a piano that has more than the sum of its parts. E 'unique touch and sound. It has the individual stamp of all those who worked on it. It has a unique history that dates back even if the years the artisan who created the piano, sometimes more than one hundred years ago through the process of restoration that is totally independent on the piano.

Antique pianos: the real value in a practical world

It 's very well to talk about the beauty of the piano and its sound wonderful, and his soul. What does this mean in the real world?

Vintage Steinway pianos as an investment

Your primary investment for the purchase of an antique piano is the satisfaction that you get to play, and looking at the piano. This is the intrinsic value of the piano and is completely subjective. The monetary value of the piano can be identified by comparison shopping. First we will consider as a condition vintage Steinways. This means that the complete restoration is needed. Here are realistic wholesale prices that a dealer typically pay for each model a piano in need of complete restoration.

Steinway S, 5 ft 1 in $ 4,500.00
Steinway M, 5 feet 7 inches $ 5,500.00
Steinway O, L, 5 ft 10 ½ inches up to $ 8,500.00
Steinway A1, 6 feet 2 inches up to $ 9,500.00
Steinway A2, 6 ft 1 "up to $ 9,500.00
Steinway A3, 6 feet 4 inches up to € 11,000.00
Steinway B, 6 feet 11 inches up to € 14,000.00
Steinway C, 7 feet 5 inches up to $ 17,000.00
Steinway D 8 ft 11 inches up to € 22,000.00

These are wholesale prices for pianos ebony with straight legs. Merchants who usually pay a premium for the pianos tone wood case with ornate styles or art. A premium is sometimes paid for ivory use.

Here is a spreadsheet paying retail prices for most common models and styles of antique pianos restored Steinway grand. This can be verified by comparison shopping.

Now that you know more than you ever wanted on vintage Steinway pianos I will include some pictures depicting the various styles of IE legs. Flower Pot Ice Cream Cone, Louis XV, Serpentine, Tulip.

Vintage Piano

Definition of a Vintage Piano

An vintage piano is not just an old piano. An vintage piano must have a real value. A Wurlitzer piano made in the early 1900's is just an old piano and a Steinway piano from the same period would be considered vintage. What is the difference? The simple answer is quality and value. The antique piano is precious above all because the potential for beauty of sound and appearance, and secondly because of the Steinway name. The value of the antique piano is enhanced by the preservation of the original case and ivory keys. This is especially true if the piano has a unique case. Examples of this would be a case of Louis XV, or a D Centenary with serpentine legs, original ivories, and a cut lectern. However, a straight leg from the 1940 Steinway piano is also considered a classic, though less valuable, only for the potential beauty of sound and the simple elegance of the case.

Vintage pianos: the potential value against the realization of potential.

To illustrate this theme, I use the example of a rosewood Steinway A flower pot with legs, cut the lectern, and the original ivory keys. This is an antique piano in the non-playable.

This piano has a lot of potential value because the rosewood veneer is recoverable, the piano has all its original parts, and has the potential to be a wonderful musical instrument. To fully exploit this potential, the piano must be fully restored to its original state.

In example (below) of this original one Steinway sound card, the locking pin and the shares are non-usable and must be replaced. If this is not done the full potential value of this piano period could never be realized because the piano would never play properly. At the same time, the case of the piano would need to be restored with original parts to realize the full potential value of the piano.

Steinway Rebuilding Advise

Steinway Rebuilding Advise

I am looking for information on a piano that I'm going to buy for reconstruction. The piano is a 1935 Steinway Model L. The main problem is that the piano was not played for a very long time and the action is oxidized makes unplayable. Being a pianist, artist level, I need a piano is a beautiful sound and excellent action. My technician is experienced enough repected and says that this piano is a wonderful candidate for the reconstruction and that the soundboad is perfect. He proposed a complete rebuild with all parties Steinway, short of replacing the soundboard that he refinish / close for reasons of conservation and cosmetics. He will replace the entire action, pinblock, bows, hammers, etc. What questions should I be asking him and waiting for the situation as regards the final outcome? Are strings and hammers also from Steinway? Thanks for any and all REPONSES and advise.

In essance, what you really want is to be armed with sufficient knowledge and intelligent questions in order to protect themselves somewhat.To pick the brains of the professionals here is a way to go about it. There is an implication ettiquette as you can guess as to entrust your reconstruction tech where as these are the questions that should be asked not to other technologies, with opposing viewpoints and opinions. In fact, it's perfectly natural to do so if what you acquire is actually only superficial knowledge in order to qualify themselves as an "expert Overnite."
The number one question always be "Do you use all parts Steinway." I usually say that the parties Knabe people usually do not fit!
I could list 100 + different questions for you to quiz your tech rebuilder, as for the procedure, but they are not.

Some of the questions you might want to actually survey are

1) If you make a living as a tuner / tech or reconstruction?
2) What exactly how to do reconstruction procedures subcontracters other outside source. What do you personally yourself.ex exact procedures. pinblock, the hole and hang on hammers, etc. keytops
3) Do you personally "refine" his client's pianos? or do you help where the customer pays the person (contractor) apart.
4) Do you have a dedicated facility, as for most of the reconstruction. It 'made in the structure "Finish".
5) When outsourcing, do you take on 100% of respondsibility at the end of your subwoofer.
6) How many actual full restorations do you make a year.
7) What happens if I do not like the end result eg. choice of hammers, or touchweight?

It seems to me that you are a pianist at a level of competence while you personally are gonna be quite discriminating in piano and peer into the feel / performance result and end up at the bottom of it .... why would you even consider this commissioned to rebuild if you do not already have the piano.
We have done over the years of 300 + restorations only Steinway grand pianos and everybody is going to be a bit 'different even though many are similar. Professional players will have the chance. We will choose a piano from their spec inventory and trade in their core reconstructed "before going on this road. There have been many, many success stories, as the preferred scenario though most have been furnished.

Just my opinion though I also have facilitated restoration Steinway more than I can remember.

Repair Piano polishing

Repair Piano polishing and causes - Polisher P & T
All the staff at P & T rubbers are well known to John as we all trained and worked in the management of John at the Royal Park Steinway Restoration Centre in London. This is a small team of restorers highly qualified and experienced piano case.

They restore the good old piano cases polish or French modern techniques in bright polyester.
complete restoration is readily taken or minor damage to wood veneer and the Polish workers and repaired as required.
pianos damaged can be repaired at home or at their laboratory west of London.

Paul Harris: General Manager - with 20 years of experience in the French polishing and modern finishes, including cellulose and polyester, also attended the piano repairs in the customer's home. Paul set up his own company after its formation with Steinway and Sons in London. His company is often commissioned by Steinway to perform works of enamel on their showroom pianos and customers.

Tom Conti: Manager - Tom teamed up with Paul after 34 years of experience exclusively at the Steinway Restoration Centre in Park Royal. He served his apprenticeship as a polisher with distinction and ultimately was appointed Head Polisher for Steinway and Sons in the United Kingdom.

Michael Riches: Michael also trained with Steinway in London and has now reached 10 years of experience in repairing case, soundboards and replacement PIN block. His 'strong', however, specializes in the repair of polyester, in my opinion one of the best in the industry, in this difficult job.

Restoring Piano Chickering

Restoring a Piano Chickering

Harold Schonberg, music critic once for the New York Times, described the 1900 as the "golden age" of pianos. Piano manufacturing was in full swing, and there were several manufacturers of high quality piano including Chickering and Sons, than it is today. As such, the pianos of this period are often extremely valuable tools in good condition and restored. While ideally a professional should conduct such an operation, this guide will show you what to expect from such a process and how to do it alone if necessary.

How to restore a Chickering Piano 

1.
Remove the harp and strings by the piano. The harp is the system of cast iron that keeps the strings in place. The details of this procedure varies from instrument to instrument, but you need to loosen the strings with a tuning hammer (a socket wrench stud piano) and pull vertically and remove the harp from the instrument. The harp must be raised as close to vertical as possible from the instrument. E 'can damage your frame not to.

2.
Remove the sound card. The sound card is located directly under the harp at the bottom of the frame and the interior surface of curved wood that occupies most of the base of the frame. Enable the Council to dry for several days if there are cracks. Once it is dry, use a shim (a small wedge used to expand the cracks) to hold large open cracks, while cutting the thick piece of spruce and insert them into the slots. They should be bonded. For small cracks, use epoxy to fill them. Sand the epoxy after it dries.

3.
Strip and re-design the piano, if necessary. It 'better than this step is done with the harp and the sound card removed from the instrument.

4.
Refit the instrument. Enter your sound card first, then vertically down the harp in the instrument. Make sure that the harp is properly protected, then tighten the strings in the appropriate field.

Pianos Antique

Other Brands of Pianos Antique Value

There are several other brands that have a piano as antique pianos. Mason and Hamlin, Bosendorfer, Bechstein, Bluthner, etc. These pianos can be extremely satisfying to play, but do not have the investment value of Steinway pianos. Moreover, they are more difficult and more expensive to repair properly.
If you've read this far, you have the basic knowledge of what is a vintage Steinway piano. You will also have a good idea of what a Steinway grand piano is in need of restoration should cost as well as what a vintage restored Steinway piano will cost.

Remember that no searching for a restored vintage piano is complete without a visit to Craftsman Piano Sales & Service.

New Steinway Grand Piano

Buying a New Steinway GrandPiano

... did you know that the cost of a project to complete reconstruction of your old Steinway grand piano will cost you 4 or 5 times less to buy a new Steinway? It is estimated the total cost of a complete reconstruction project Steinway, including structural, mechanical work and mobile (painting and finishing) to be between $ 17,500 and $ 20,000. Consider the savings over a brand new Steinway Grand, and retail between $ 75,000 - $ 100,000. Your re-finished, newly rebuilt Steinway will perform just as well if not better than a brand new piano.

Do not have to rebuild a Steinway? Check out the exceptionally affordable price and build Steinways in our sale section.

How old is my piano?

The age of a piano can be determined by identifying the serial number inside the instrument. E-mail to the piano Make and serial number to get information on your piano.

Is my old piano worth rebuilding?

For the most part, yes. A new piano usually outweigh the cost of investing in the restoration of an ancient instrument. Like antique furniture, grand pianos that many appreciate the value. This is particularly true for the following brands - Baldwin, Mason & Hamlin, Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Kawai, and most important is West German. The consumer should always consider the reconstruction as a first option to purchase a new piano. Ask yourself what your piano would be worth after reconstruction than the amount spent on repair work. Call us for a written estimate or quote

The soundboard is the most important component of the piano. It provides amplification that allows the piano to sing and audible sound. The sound quality suffer when the soundboard is damaged. This problem, often due to varying degrees of temperature or humidity. Most of the pianos, at some point, experience some degree of cracking due to extreme weather conditions here in Canada - mainly due to higher humidity levels in summer and winter drought. Fortunately, this is relatively easy to repair

 

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Restore Old Piano

How to Restore Old Piano

If you're an experienced pianist, with a strip do-it-yourself mechanics and some experts, the restoration of a vintage piano to its original state may seem like a romantic idea and the environment. Depending on the age of the piano, the condition and quality is essential, however, the actual restoration may be prohibitively expensive, time consuming or even impossible. If you decide to return, however, an adequate knowledge and expertise as well as some patience --- can make a piano I love you more than any other tool that could be purchased new.

User steps to restore an old piano
• 1
Open the piano and take a look inside. The take off the covers will allow you to check the visible damage - broken pegs, strings or hammers, deformed wires, pedals removed, dust or dirt collected, or wedged into the action.

• 2
Each piano of the pedal produces a slightly different shock absorber on the strings of a piano.
Test each component of the piano to determine what needs to be repaired. The soundboard of the piano holds them together "guts". Make sure it is not broken and that the ribs, pins, bridges, and inside are not cracked or broken. Check if all the strings are missing or broken. The piano of "action" is the mechanism that causes the felt hammers strike the strings when a key is pressed. The action has broken parts? Also be sure to check the pedals and dampers, keyboard, and the wooden case. "

• 3
Buy parts from a music store or order online.

• 4
Repair any damaged part of the piano, working from the inside out. Start with the soundboard and its components, then the 'strings, action, pedals and dampers, and keyboard. Test each component to ensure it works properly before moving on to the next set of parts.

• 5
Set the appropriate level of wood apart for painting. Do not paint while his body on the piano.

Final stages in your Restoration Piano
• 1
Tune the piano. If you feel like a competent tuner, do it yourself. If not, bring in a professional. A good tuner like to have the piano "open", so do not fit the case until the piano is tuned.

• 2
Reconnect the appropriate organ piano.

• 3
Try playing the piano alone. While the restoration is still fresh in your mind, listen and feel for any remaining problems, so you can quickly solve.

Restore Piano

Restore Piano Donated by Lord Beaverbrook

Miramichi - With a piano donated by Lord Beaverbrook in their possession, Carrefour Beausoleil is trying to find some 'information on the instrument, as well as the costs of replacement.

Daniel Levesque, services coordinator for the pianot, said that determine the importance of the piano is in progress.

Although not much information available yet, Levesque is reaching out to the community. He asks anyone any information about the piano to share it with him.

Levesque has already contacted Danemann, creator of the piano, as well as Harrods, the company that sent the piano.

His research has also received international interest when the UK newspaper Guardian Epsom via email to interested parties to tell the story.

While some of the information received so far is still being confirmed Levesque said it was the understanding of some of the teachers who were there, along with the history books, that Beaverbrook donated to the school with a black and white television.

"This is the best we can confirm at this point," said Levesque. Based on research, the piano was built around 1955 in England. "So we wanted to try and sort of get his pedigree."

"But we're also trying to get more information on the gift itself. If there is anyone left alive who was at the ceremony, if there was a ceremony, and so on."
The process was difficult, Levesque said, and there is no direct link made by someone who was there.

"It 's difficult to do so. What I did is try to gather some information on what it takes to get it back to plain and exhibiting condition .... It is not in bad condition, but it certainly needs improvements."

He added costs associated with re-tuning and refurbishing piano could cost about $ 1,000. He noted the piano, potentially, on the basis of prices obtained from similar style pianos, worth close to $ 5,000 new. He hopes to raise funds and, potentially, a local benefactor could be used to collect the necessary funds.

But he is sure at this point how the money will be raised.
"We're very early in the process. I mean, it would be nice if ... we get a benefactor who says 'well I would like to see restored pianoe'."

Assistance from the provincial government was not required but Levesque said he pianos to go to school. The school is housed in a community center, he said, and works for the center.

"And with the intention that piano - and this is just discussion, as well - is to kind of see it passed, officially if you like, from old school to new school Beaverbrook Carrefour Beausoleil."

School District 11 has shown interest in the renovation of the piano, Levesque said.
If the debate was still possible, Levesque hopes to put the piano in music class once ended up being used as a teaching tool.

As of now the class of piano is on loan at the center of the community.
"So if we can get this kind of a piano in a small school like ours, the number of hours that are taught then, yes, all the more significant because there are not many schools that have such a piano with such historical significance. "

He added: "I follow the steps, I think, make requests, and presenting some of the costs incurred would know that to finish it, and our intentions at that time, I mean, it would be a small meeting .."

He hopes that people with information to come forward.
"We'd put a small plaque on the piano to make sure its recognized for what it is. There is a certain historical significance of it."

Piano Refinishing

Questions about Piano Refinishing

Question:


Almost a  grand old age of 85. Sounds and finish of great value if I do.
Has anyone finished their pianos? What products did you use?
This piano has paint on it that has turned black.

I'm also doing this in the house so not a chemical smell of danger is not necessary. I'm not afraid of work. I will be protecting the insides with plastic.

Advice 1:


How many other things you finished? A piano is not a good piece of furniture to start with, especially a large one. You know what to do when the colors do not match, for example?

How big is your house? Dismantling of a piano to take up a lot of the finish area. Avoiding any chemical risk is difficult at best. This will be a big mess. You do not have the expertise and equipment for moving pianos, as they require removal?

How valuable is your time? If you're willing to spend at least two or three months on this project? How good are you just sit and watch paint dry? This is a great piece of work. Remember that you will not be able to play the piano, while you do this.

What will you do if you mess up when the job?

Advice 2:


Another problem is the dust. I finished a column a few years ago. I avoided Sanders machine of any kind and absolutely no chemicals used in stripping based on my previous mobile experience.

Even if you protect the innards, you have to do with the dust - in particular the fine paid by fine-grade sandpaper. These particles can not be environmentally offensive, but could be depending on the original finish. They pervade every corner of your room, and possibly your entire stay.

In my case, more upright panels can be disassembled and taken to the garage for your attention. This is not the case of a large, curved surfaces and a case of big (along with curved legs and intricate details) presents special problems.

I wonder if it will be a fun project.

Advice 3:


In order to get the old paint to go soft is going to have to use some type of chemical or methyl hydrate and dichloromethane, both of which are not good to have around the house in large quantities if you are looking for health problems .

Both these products will melt plastic sheets ... ... ... ... ... so that one is out before you start.

The entire cabinet should be removed, all the hardware and then labeled cleaned after all the felt trim will be replaced and the buttons and knobs, rubber desk to do too much.

The pedals must be removed and then re-assembled with a new bushing kit.

You do not have to sand the boards if you want to have the same color or darker. But what is the piano to finish with? You do not have spray equipment and a properly ventilated stand?

The new finishes are also volatile chemicals and gases are vented outside the building to be discharged properly, or you could raise the foundations of a few meters to explode ... ... ... .. Remember the refrigerator has a solenoid that sparks and so does the oven ... ... ...


Advice 4:


a spot test first, and perhaps a little sand with 320 Clean - you may be surprised.
Have you considered trying an amalgam? It works on lacquer controlled, not sure about paint, but it might. E 'brushed or sprayed, allowed to soften and melt the finish. Can you help flatten a bit 'with a brush and then spray some clear on it at it. Sand and polish.
I tried the 3M stripper safety - be prepared to wait a long time - the time needed to soften the glue veneer. A frend romove used to clear up only a small part, not an entire piano - and it worked well for this. Do not remove the fill color and grain, and only the clear is not an easy task though.

Advice 5:


Take your time when stripping. Try not to gouge anything.
Not all parts and patch as required.

Got a bunch of rather effective hands-on work options in this environment:

pads on different layers of schellac to bring out the grain, then finish with wax. This will produce a very nice satin finish that up wood veneers, can often look better than high gloss. It is important to emphasize that there will need to fill the grain, and you can replace relatively quickly, without bothering to attack the parts (from an end-hardened or thickness of the coating itself).

If you have more time, then paint. Get a flat brush squirrel. Many, many thin layers, at least a week of drying between each, rubbed with extra fine wire wool in her hands. This may sound great.

Finally, learn how to French polish. I redid several grands and enjoyed the learning curve, especially as the result (after 100 + hours) far exceeds the thick plastic finishes often applied today (in my opinion of course). To be honest, though, I'd like to avoid this, as it is sooo easy, when we started French polishing to get results is horrible, those reasonable or worse in the months to sink, or worse yet, flowers. Things such as grain filling and suddenly become critical work is ten times greater than we imagined.

Overall, I think that the first option is more feasible. Do not skip schellac though, otherwise you just look dull.

Piano Restoration

Steinway & Sons Piano Restoration

One of the most common and most important action in piano rebuilding today is the misuse of heavy hammers in vintage Steinway pianos. The hammers were used predominantly Japanese in 1980, are substantially heavier than the current special order Renner Premium Blue hammers that we use for most vintage Steinway and Sons pianos.

It is not unusual for us to see newly restored Steinway piano shares with down-weight measurements 90 grams, and measures to up-weight of only 10 grams. In addition, many technicians will try to compensate these poor performance numbers with the addition of 6, 7, 8 or sometimes even leads to a desperate attempt to improve the touch of the piano. This is futile exercise that only makes the situation worse.

And current specifications call for Sons Steinway piano hammers hanging on the stem at 51 / 8. "Vintage Steinway actions have hammers that hang anywhere from 5" to 51/16 "on the foot. Here, a 1 / 8" difference would be drastic if not corrected properly! In fact, the last couple of octaves above the floor are the most crucial for positioning the hammer. Our hammers are hung according to the best possible sound product, in relation to optimal positioning of the first action plan and stern. "Pre-hung" on shank hammers available from the factory do not work properly in most of the old Steinway and Sons pianos.

For years, the first vintage Steinways, the action parts were dipped in paraffin oil to act as a preservative for wood. This explains the dark color of the vintage Steinway shares. A drawback of the immersion solution is the chemical reaction with the centerpins and all moving parts, resulting in what is known as verdigris. This Verdigris centerpins tires on and heard (the green patina shown in close-up), and results in some parts of slow. This is one of the biggest problems with Steinway pianos. There are no permanent solutions for this condition other than replacing the defective parts with new parts.

All our pianos include Steinway and Sons rebuilt replacement agraffes. Agraffes are brass, and if they were too tight at the factory, which will eventually break. This has sometimes 70 years, but it will happen! However, no new agraffes clean only look nice, but contribute to a better tone in the piano. The steel wire passing through the agraffes is harder than bronze, so that eventually deform the circular holes making them oval.

Together with the replacement of agraffes, bar Cape deposit is necessary to remove the old string grooves, and to make sure that the profile of the bar is in its best shape. This is one of the most overlooked steps in the "wholesale reconstruction plan" to end this industry.

In order to get a feel for the constant action, rebushing keys is a crucial step in the process of restoring a piano. Only the highest quality materials and installation processes felt are used for a perfect result.

Polishing is a piano key covers maintenance necessary to restore luster to both plastic and ivory keys. selection Rouge, polishing wheel selection, and wheel speed are important factors in achieving perfect results.

dip correct key is essential for the pianist to be able to play the softest pianissimo to fortissimo stronger. Key dip can also be set to the preference of a customer to reach the action "feel" they prefer.

Take Care of Grandpiano

How to Take Care of a Grand Piano

Take care of their grand piano to bring many years of pleasant music. Keep your piano looking Beautiful and its surface free from dust and scratches. Clean the piano at least weekly and prudence in the choice of cleaning materials. Many commercial devices dusting can actually damage the surface of the piano. What is outside the piano could damage the components inside the piano. A grand piano, which often receives proper care it provides many years of use and pleasant sounds.

Instructions:

1.
Locate the piano in a room or a place with a constant level of temperature and humidity. Good control of humidity prevents wood components of the piano against the deformation and prolongs the life span of the instrument.

2.
Store piano and objects d'art and not anywhere else on your piano. Pianos contain moisture damage ends, and objects of art scratching piano.

3.
Dust your piano regularly. Wool duster of a lamb or a soft, lint-free dust without marring the surface finish.

4.
Wipe the keys of the piano with a soft cloth. Dip the cloth in water with dishwashing detergent, and squeeze it almost dry. Wipe the keys with a cloth to remove dust or other particles.

5.
Call a piano technician to service the piano when an object falls into or when the piano needs tuning. A grand piano needs tuning at least once a year.

6.
Play your piano often. Frequent use helps a piano to acquire a characteristic "voice". Every time you play your piano, you help increase the beauty of its sound.

Refurbish a grand piano

How to Refurbish a grand piano

If you have an old piano that is starting to show the wear of time, a little 'patience and some remedial measures may be all he needs to look its best once again. Although many people look at their old pianos pollution deceased, others see the challenge as an opportunity to clean the dirty veneer and revive the spirit of the golden days of a piano. Piano restoration is a process that takes time, but the rewards outweigh the work to finish.

Instructions:


• 1
Lift the lid of the piano and the harp suck, they do not hammer or felt loose. Aspiration is the best way to clean large amounts of dust between the strings without removing them. Do not damage the cords from getting too close to them, but do not leave dirty harp, either. Sound quality depends in part on the piano strings well maintained. Slide a thin cloth between the strings to collect any dust. Take note of any missing hammers, strings damaged or twisted around irregular pinblock. These will be things to note when your piano technician to adjust the piano.

• 2
Steel wool can remove large amounts of dirt from ivory keys, and exposure to sunlight, naturally whiten them.
Wipe the keys with a damp sponge to clean them. Do not let the water get between the keys. If the ivories are very dirty, wipe with a wad of steel wool. Replace the missing keys, opening the board in front of the piano and the replacement of the corresponding key on his terminal. If the piano keys are ivory, try to find keys used in repair shops piano since the collection has been banned in ivory natural ivory synthetic and most likely will not match your current set of keys.

• 3
The board in front of the piano is subject to deformation when exposed to too much moisture.
Check the piano for moisture damage. moisture damage is manifested as mildew and warped boards earlier. (The edge is off the vertical axis of wood above the keys.) If an accident of your piano, store in a dry place before trying to repair the damage. For the mold, clean the inside of the piano down with disinfectant wipes, being careful not to get wet piano. Keep the piano dry should prevent a resurgence after the first growth of mold is gone. If the card front is deformed, remove it and add a sticker on the back pad and then replace it and secure it in place.

• 4
All the pieces of metal must be removed and cleaned separately from the body of wood.
Carefully remove the wooden case of the piano and set all the hinges and watermarks to the side. Strip off all old paint to determine if all the pieces of the piano are the same quality. This may take several applications of stripper. Be sure to follow the instructions as possible and not try to go too fast. If some are water stains, consider repainting rather than trying for a natural finish shown here.

• 5
If the piano has been painted black, another option is to use instead of a black lacquered natural finish.

Restore Piano

How to Restore Piano

If you find a piano at a special price, you may need professional assistance to get the inner workings of the  piano in the form, but to restore the finish is a job that you can take. This restoration takes time and requires patience, but if you are willing to commit yourself to this project, you will have a piano beautifully restored to a fraction of the cost of a new one.

Instruction:

•1 Place the piano on a cloth and apply a single thin layer of oil-based paint strippers on the piano the whole case with a brush.

•2 Scrape the stripper frame with a spatula. Push the knife blade away from you, causing the paint stripper and pull out the piano.

•3 Remove all the stripper from the piano and see if any remnants of paint on the wood. Apply another thin coat of paint all the points that remain and scrape again.

•4 Make a cleaning solvent by mixing equal parts of lacquer thinner and denatured alcohol.

•5 Dip 0000 steel wool and wood in the bush solvent vigorously. You must remove every drop of finish that runs through the grain.

•6 You end up off the solvent to wash a surface. Use clean paper towels to dry the wood as you work.

•7 Buff your entire body dry 0000 steel wool. Use long strokes and steady and rub the wood until it has a uniform sheen to it.

•8 Douse a paper towel with denatured alcohol and rub all over the piano. You must remove all the dust created when polishing the wood.

•9 Paint the piano in the carcass of any chosen finish. Use a brush to apply many coats as the manufacturer recommends.

•10 Let the finish dry sump piano thoroughly.

•11 Rub over tung oil finish dry. Pour the oil in your palms and rub oil all over the piano. Let the oil dry for a day.

•12 Apply a second coat the same way. Let this layer dry another day before removing the towel from under the piano.

Steinway Rebuilding

Steinway Rebuilding

Beautifully finished Steinway grand piano is extremely rare to find. Only original parts made in USA Steinway were used to breathe new life into this great tool.

Did you know that the cost of a project to complete reconstruction of your old Steinway grand piano will cost you 4 or 5 times less to buy a new Steinway? It is estimated the total cost of a complete Steinway rebuilding, including structural, mechanical work and mobile (painting and finishing) to be between $ 17,500 and $ 20,000. Consider the savings over a brand new Steinway Grand, and retail between $ 75,000 - $ 100,000. Your re-finished, newly rebuilt Steinway will perform just as well if not better than a brand new piano.

Do not have to rebuild a Steinway? Check out the exceptionally affordable price and build Steinways in our sale section.

Piano Refinishing

Piano Refinishing

The thought of trying to finish the piano you will leave with a feeling of dread? Fear not, there are many companies that specialize in piano refinishing in the cities near you. No matter if you live in a big city, suburbs or rural areas.

If there is a piano store, then it is likely to have experienced at least one of piano refinishing personnel. If they do, then they will be able to recommend a place for you to get an estimate piano refinishing .

There are several factors that come into an estimate of piano refinishing . Firstly there is the type of piano to be finished. A grand piano or requires a very different type of finish of the upright. If you have an upright, was that the piano has been done will determine how much it will cost to finish.

If it took imagination and veneers that are damaged, you will need an expert who can recreate the piano refinishing pieces of scrolls together again.

Proper piano refinishing jobs can cost up to several hundred dollars, but go well beyond a thousand dollars if the decoration on the piano is wide.

Piano Rebuilding

Piano Rebuilding

The reconstruction involves a complete restoration of each area of the piano, including the replacement of structural components, the pieces of action, restringing, etc. A piano finish that is reconstructed in the true sense of the word should have complete replacement of all parts that are worn out, in questionable conditions and / or structurally sound. Pianos contain thousands of parts. This is the reason for the complete restoration is rarely done and the costs are prohibitive.

reconstruction piano of stores to use the approach that the old is better. "I just do not build them like once." Fortunately, the car manufacturers do not build cars the way they use both. Sure, there's something to be said for the "mystical" to pull out that old '55 Thunderbird on a sunny afternoon on Sunday and take it for a spin. This is exactly the feeling piano rebuilders use to their advantage. However, no one in their right mind would go to an auto salvage yard, choose a rusty old Buick, all have processed and painted body panels, install new interior, new engine, transmission, rear, new tires etc. and in the process of spend more money than the cost of a new car! Or would they? Perhaps they have an undying love of old things or a strong sentimental attachment to something that means a lot to them. Maybe they just have a lot of money to burn.

As a practical matter, it's just stupid to spend money trying to make that old piano "new" again when it might be more wisely invested in a new quality piano. This does not mean that all old pianos should be trashed. Sure, there are rare occasions where an old piano can be beautifully restored to "like new" condition by highly skilled craftsmen. Some of the charm of old pianos are uniquely decorated lockers details specific periods of history that many of the manufacturers not only offer modern pianos. For those with big pocket books which have fascinated and infatuated with the past, a quality of rebuilding an old piano can be a wonderful thing. However, be prepared to spend much more of an instrument completely rebuilt as it could spend for the best quality new piano of comparable size!

Remember, the reconstruction of a piano in every detail without compromise is rarely, if ever. A museum piece, but maybe for the average customer looking for a tool rebuilt compromise somewhere in the reconstruction process is inevitable.

For most of us, buying a rebuilt piano is not only practical. A frankly, only a small percentage of old pianos actually meet the criteria that must be met to consider a complete restoration. old pianos that can be made useful for lessons or pleasure at a minimal cost should be kept in the market. The vast majority of pianos in need of extensive repair, regardless of brand, should be treated like garbage and are disposed of.

Indisputable scientific facts support the superiority of new pianos of good quality compared to the old instruments rebuilt. Consider this: virtually no major college or conservatory of music associated with a large university buy rebuilt pianos. Many of the larger institutions to maintain a technical staff to optimize and fix their concert and practice pianos. Some of these tools can have a series of hammers replaced or get a new set of strings. In general, as these repairs are made as of the intermediate when the year's budget does not allow the purchase of a new instrument. In almost every case, when a piano institution needs a complete rebuild that require major, expensive work, a new piano is preferred.

Periodically, the universities have "cleaned house" of all their pianos unsatisfactory. These instruments are traded in and also purchased by piano tuners, which then "reconditioned" or partially rebuilt. The institutions that use pianos for practice and work together to find tools rebuilt impractical and rather buy again. It 'obvious that the same logic applies to the average customer.

At least, if you are considering buying a piano rebuilt or are thinking about having Gramma's old piano fixed up, get everything in writing! Having your piano technician step through each phase of the reconstruction process. Have he or she will show you first hand exactly what will and will not be done. Looking more closely at what parts are replaced as well as what the trade-offs are in progress, you may find yourself reconsidering! Especially when you see that bottom line!

Why should I rebuild my piano?

Why should I rebuild my piano?

When the car comes out old and worn, replace. If your bike gets old and worn out is replaced. When your toaster gets old and worn out is replaced. When your husband or wife becomes old and worn that ....... well ....... have to take it anyway! :-)

But it can not be a good idea to replace your pianos if it is old and worn. Why?

The best reasons are about to follow. However, the BIG reason why most of you are concerned, is that you can have a real reconstruction done to the rebuilt pianos for about the same cost of a new piano to a much inferior quality. You will spend from 10% to 100% (depending on the circumstances) more to acquire a new level of quality equal to your old rebuilt.

Here are some more reasons:

First, the basic construction of many old pianos is so good that a new piano may well be less well built. Many manufacturers of pianos, new uses of materials under the sound card and the use of saw dust pressed board for their moving parts. There is a long list of attributes of a new piano that can not be as good as your old piano.

Secondly, I have the technology available to me here to make your piano better than it was when it was new. Here are some things I can do for your piano that could make better than new:

1) Rescale the piano. This is to recalculate the size of the cables used to insert the piano. It also includes a complex process of redesigning the way they are overloaded bass strings. With a ladder carefully redesigned and wound strings from a string winder prize, the scaling is almost always done better than when new.

2) Redesign the dynamics of action and weight touch. Many new pianos will have been performed by touch and weight regulation portion of their production rather quickly. Once roughed in, will be shipped. Having rebuilt your old piano, you can ensure that your piano will reward the attention given to every aspect of the regulation of action. In fact, when possible, I prefer to play on my reconstructs the actions for several hours and then adjust again before sending them.

3) The designs of lower quality in Replace the locking pin with a locking pin fully fit as the best producers of use

4) When you have your piano rebuilt, you can specify exactly in a very specific color and style of finish you want. No need to settle for what you can find on the showroom piano in a music store.

5) It is' good for the environment. N. mahogany trees or products of tropical rain forest to be killed in order to restore the piano. If the piano still has ivory key tops so you will not have to kill an elephant to get the new one (which is still illegal). Even if your original ivory look so horrible you think it can not be saved, I'm willing to bet I can make them look beautiful again! And if your ivory is beyond hope, I have access to legal ivory and bone that can be used to replace the originals with linings in ivory superior to those originally installed. Of course, some new forests must be placed in your piano rebuilt, but the rare tropical rainforest woods are saved through recycling. In addition, some older pianos are wonderful facets about them that I do not see new pianos.

6) You can install a new sound card that is far superior to what most current manufacturers are doing. I produce new sound cards much higher quality than most piano makers for new uses. In fact, the old card in many small brand pianos can be replaced with one of my paintings, making the finished product significantly better than the day it was new.

7) The finishing materials that are used in top grade nitrocellulose. It 'hard and tough, but easy to repair and easy to replace in the future through the body. Many new pianos were made with polyester finishes. They seem to hit when they are new, but polyester can not be removed once it is applied to the wood. When the final will be consumed on a piano that has been treated with polyester, you might as well burn the piano. There are ways around this. You can aggressively polyester sand away to get down to the wood again. However, the chances are excellent that you ruin the veneer in the process of getting off the polyester.

I could go on and on with more and more reasons why it makes such good sense to rebuilt pianos. There is the question of sentimental attachment to your instrument, to preserve a piece of history, to maintain a family heirloom. There is the question of the beauty of furniture used in many older pianos that can not be bought today. The bottom line is that the reasons to save these pieces of history through the restoration far outweigh any concerns that would tend to make us destroy these pianos. My vote is that we maintain and restore them. What is yours?