Video Clips of Restoration (below)

The Restoration Process

by Clint Hughes, owner

The only thing as gratifying as seeing a newly restored piano is the restoration process itself.

The first order of business is ordering the new parts. The lower third of the piano strings is the bass section. Samples are taken and sent to the Mapes Piano String Company for duplication. They use Swedish steel, which has the highest degree of purity. The rest of the strings are cut to size from 5-lb. coils of Roslau German steel piano wire, which is the best in the world.

Wherever possible, we use Renner German action parts exclusively. They are, hands down, the finest action parts in the world. If a bench or any other accessories are ordered, we order from the Jansen Company.

After the bass wire samples are taken, the piano is given to the refinisher. There, the piano case is stripped and sanded, parts are filed, stained, sealed and hard-rubbed to a factory satin sheen. The refinisher also repairs and re-sprays the soundboard and plate.

While the piano is being refinished, I am restoring the action. I assemble the hammers, shanks, flanges and wippens, balance, front and back rail felts, etc. After a month or so, I pick up the refinished piano and install the strings, dampers and regulate the action.

After several tunings and voicings, the piano is delivered back to the eagerly awaiting client. The instrument always exceeds his/her expectations which, in no small measure, validates my efforts.

More information on restoration can be found on the following page:

The Three Rs of Restoration: Repair, Reconditioning and Rebuilding

Restoration Video Clips

The following video clips take the viewer through Grand American Piano’s restoration process from beginning to end.

If you do not have the QuickTime Player, you can download the FREE APPLICATION for either Mac or Windows by clicking on this icon:

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VIDEOS: [Piano Restoration Process] [Restored Piano Performance]

ARTICLES: [The Old, Upright Piano] [Restoring Hand-built Pianos Hits A High Note]
[The Three Rs of Piano Restoration] [Highly Regarded Piano Brand Names]
[The Value of Teaching Children To Play The Piano]

Grand American Piano
Local: (805) 523-9717, Toll-free: (877) PIANOS7 or (877) 742-6677
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Owned and operated in Moorpark, CA.

©2004, Grand American Piano. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced in whole or in part without express permission from Grand American Piano. Revised May 2008