Reconditioning/Rebuilding
There are various stages of repair that can be performed on a piano. Aside from routine maintenance, this can range from various small jobs such as replacing a single broken or malfunctioning part, to string replacement, all the way up to major overhauling. Many technicians use various phrasing to describe this latter form of work, including rebuilding, restoration, or reconditioning. Georgetown Piano handles these various types of jobs, and uses the following terminology to describe them:
Reconditioning is a process by which a piano is put into its best possible condition by cleaning, repairing, or adjustment, with minimal replacement of parts. This is very typical work, and is needed from time to time for practically all pianos, but is also the best course of action for pianos of lesser value or minimal to average playing needs. The following is a typical list of work that would normally be done to put a piano, which is otherwise structurally sound and intact, into its top playing condition:
Again, this is only a sample list of work that can be performed, but it should demonstrate a general understanding of what reconditioning is about. You may think of servicing your piano like servicing your car. When you have a piano "tuned", it's like you`re putting the gas in your car. The type of work described above would be comparable to a "tune-up" for your car. Click here to see an example of an action reconditioning project. Click here to see an example of cleaning the inside case of a grand piano.
Reconditioning a piano does not involve replacing any of the major components such as the soundboard, bridges, pinblock, strings, and most action parts. The condition of your piano may or may not be "like new" when this work is completed, only that the overall performance and enjoyment will be improved, relative to the cost of the work performed.
Rebuilding involves quite a bit more in terms of labor and money. This type of work is most practical for high-end instruments (such as a Steinway or Mason & Hamlin), or sometimes in the case of sentimental value, repairing a lesser known brand in spite of the money required. This is discussed with the customer following a complete examination and appraisal of the piano. The work involved during rebuilding requires total disassembly, inspection, and repair as needed, including replacement of ALL worn, damaged, or deteriorated parts. Some or all of the following work would be done to the piano to accomplish this:
The piano is then reassembled, tested, and adjusted to as close to "like new" specs as can be achieved.
Though some technicians have their own definitions, in most cases the phrase "complete rebuilding" includes the entire piano`s structure -- including soundboard, bridges, pinblock, and strings -- as well as the action, keyboard, and (usually) refinishing of the case. "Partial rebuilding" may include only one or two of these areas, for example, rebuilding the action completely, but leaving the main structure intact. Click here to see an example of a complete rebuilding/restoration job on a 1907 Knabe grand piano.
Please note that Georgetown Piano Company's descriptions for reconditioning, restoring and rebuilding do NOT include case refinishing, as Georgetown Piano Company does not perform this service. Please see the FAQ page for our case refinisher recommendations.
If you require additional information about any of these services, please see our contact page where you may reach us via phone or email, and we will respond to your information request as quickly as possible.
There are various stages of repair that can be performed on a piano. Aside from routine maintenance, this can range from various small jobs such as replacing a single broken or malfunctioning part, to string replacement, all the way up to major overhauling. Many technicians use various phrasing to describe this latter form of work, including rebuilding, restoration, or reconditioning. Georgetown Piano handles these various types of jobs, and uses the following terminology to describe them:
Reconditioning is a process by which a piano is put into its best possible condition by cleaning, repairing, or adjustment, with minimal replacement of parts. This is very typical work, and is needed from time to time for practically all pianos, but is also the best course of action for pianos of lesser value or minimal to average playing needs. The following is a typical list of work that would normally be done to put a piano, which is otherwise structurally sound and intact, into its top playing condition:
- Clean inside case and keybed, including the soundboard and under the plate
- Resurfacing hammer felts, check for proper hammer alignment to strings, voicing
- Tighten (action rail and bracket screws) and adjust action as necessary, i.e. regulate
- Lubricate parts as needed, possibly to include flange centers, jack springs, damper springs, whippen springs, etc.
- Remove lost motion from keys, check for level and excess play
- Tuning upon completion of work
Again, this is only a sample list of work that can be performed, but it should demonstrate a general understanding of what reconditioning is about. You may think of servicing your piano like servicing your car. When you have a piano "tuned", it's like you`re putting the gas in your car. The type of work described above would be comparable to a "tune-up" for your car. Click here to see an example of an action reconditioning project. Click here to see an example of cleaning the inside case of a grand piano.
Reconditioning a piano does not involve replacing any of the major components such as the soundboard, bridges, pinblock, strings, and most action parts. The condition of your piano may or may not be "like new" when this work is completed, only that the overall performance and enjoyment will be improved, relative to the cost of the work performed.
Rebuilding involves quite a bit more in terms of labor and money. This type of work is most practical for high-end instruments (such as a Steinway or Mason & Hamlin), or sometimes in the case of sentimental value, repairing a lesser known brand in spite of the money required. This is discussed with the customer following a complete examination and appraisal of the piano. The work involved during rebuilding requires total disassembly, inspection, and repair as needed, including replacement of ALL worn, damaged, or deteriorated parts. Some or all of the following work would be done to the piano to accomplish this:
- Install new pinblock, pins, and strings
- Refinish iron plate
- Soundboard repairs (shim cracks, rib repair, etc.) or replacement
- Bridge repair or replacement
- New action parts (hammers, action parts, keytops, keybed and action felts, key bushings, damper felts, damper lever system, etc.)
- Complete regulation of all action parts, hammer voicing
- Complete cleaning of inside case area, including refinishing the soundboard
- Pedal lyre restoration
The piano is then reassembled, tested, and adjusted to as close to "like new" specs as can be achieved.
Though some technicians have their own definitions, in most cases the phrase "complete rebuilding" includes the entire piano`s structure -- including soundboard, bridges, pinblock, and strings -- as well as the action, keyboard, and (usually) refinishing of the case. "Partial rebuilding" may include only one or two of these areas, for example, rebuilding the action completely, but leaving the main structure intact. Click here to see an example of a complete rebuilding/restoration job on a 1907 Knabe grand piano.
Please note that Georgetown Piano Company's descriptions for reconditioning, restoring and rebuilding do NOT include case refinishing, as Georgetown Piano Company does not perform this service. Please see the FAQ page for our case refinisher recommendations.
If you require additional information about any of these services, please see our contact page where you may reach us via phone or email, and we will respond to your information request as quickly as possible.
