re-manufacturing a grand piano

The finest pianos are traditionally manufactured by hand, and that is how we rebuild them. We use the finest available parts, many (such as the strings, pinblocks and soundboards) custom-built for each instrument. Our re-manufacturing process includes refinishing the case as well as the cast-iron plate inside. All the lettering and logos are meticulously restored, and any chipped keys and broken hardware are repaired or replaced. We can acquire legally imported pre-ban ivory for replacing plastic keys or keytops in bad condition. The process will produce a piano that has value, integrity, and musical quality equal or superior to a new instrument.

At left is a detail from the cast-iron plate of a Steinway & Sons piano: the gold finish has been removed, it has been sanded and primed. Any remaining imperfections in the surface are being filled in and sanded down before it is rebronzed.

The lettering will be repainted by hand (right) once it is in the piano and restringing has been completed. In most cases, if the cast-iron plate inside a grand piano has been cracked or damaged, the piano cannot be repaired; however, we have in a few cases been able to repair plate damage successfully (not shown).

At left is a detail from the process of rebuilding the bridge on a new soundboard. Even when the soundboard has been completely replaced, the old bridges are used again in most cases. You can see that a "bridge cap" of new wood has been attached to the curved bridge. New holes will be drilled and the pins that hold the keys will be inserted.