The Art of Restoration
Art of Restoration
Our Approach
Development of the modern piano ended nearly 100 years ago and manufacturers have continued to use the same design and techniques since then largely unchanged. We take into consideration how every component of the piano contributes to its music-making and with the body of knowledge built by us and other excellent rebuilders in the last few decades, we make improvements to these instruments where they can be made. While we seek to maintain a level of historical accuracy to our rebuilt instruments, we use the advancements made since their manufacture to carry the baton of the original artisans in their pursuit of a piano crafted without compromise.
The Strings
Over 250 steel and copper wires produce the range and sound of the piano. Our rebuilt pianos feature a technique called hybrid scaling which utilizes several steel compounds from visionary piano maker Stephen Paulello to improve the capabilities of the instrument.
The Plate
The cast iron plate is the backbone to the piano. It is responsible for holding around 45,000 lbs of tension across 250 strings. We strip every plate down to the bare metal, check for any anomalies, refinish with lacquer containing metallic powder and paint the lettering meticulously by hand.
The Belly
This is the core the beautiful sound of our instruments and includes the soundboard, bridges and pinblock. We use the highest quality Sitka spruce and rock maple for these components to create a rich tone that will last for generations. Each component is shaped and fitted by hand and when necessary modified to improve any flaws in the original design.
The Action
Inside the piano is the complicated mechanism that turns your fingers’ motion into sound. Every wearable component is replaced with the most suitable modern part from the highest-quality manufactures. From our experience, we have come to understand that OEM parts are not always the proper choice for the flawless tone and touch we strive for. Each note in our rebuilt actions are individually weighed, regulated and voiced for a consistent, fluid and dynamic touch.
The Finish
A piano’s look must match the elegance and beauty of its sound. We remove the old finish and repair any damage to the case before ebonizing or staining the surface. Over the course of weeks, a proprietary blend of varnish is applied, sanded and burnished completely by hand for a stunning satin or gloss sheen. Unlike current finishes which use thick, highly-toxic plastic coatings, we follow traditional techniques that may be more time-intensive, but give a sharper style to the piano’s cabinet.
