Steinway & Sons grand piano restoration project
This is the page devoted to a partial restoration project of a Steinway & Sons grand piano (Model A, Serial Number 77972) that was originally manufactured in 1863. Below you will be able to get more familiar with the whole process by following the pictures and short descriptions.
The entire project took about 5 months to complete. Considering the complexity and detail oriented work the entire project could not be completed faster.
At the beginning of May 2014 the piano was delivered to my shop:
Right from the beginning I knew that this will involve a lot of work. The piano had to be re-strung with new strings, tuning pins and understring felt. The entire metal plate inside of the piano also was a candidate for a new paint. The entire action mechanism was completely worn out and all the components (hammers, whippens, backchecks, damper felt, etc.) had to be replaced with new ones.
The above picture shows the completely worn out action of the piano.
This is the piano with old strings, dampers, and tuning pins removed.
The damaged keys also had to be restored. Missing wooden pieces, worn out key bushings and backchecks required a careful restoration process.
The black keys (sharps) had to be repainted and refinished.
Part of the keys restoration procedure.
Brand new hammer shanks on the cleaned action rail.
A comparison between the old and new whippens.
New hammer shanks and whippens being installed.
Looks nice !
The Genuine Steinway Parts were used during the entire process of the restoration. This box contains new hammer heads.
Installation of the new hammer heads.
All whippens and hammers have been installed.
After the repair of the keys, the new key tops are being applied.
The original keys' end felt and backchecks also had to be replaced with new ones.
Installation of the new front rail punchings.
Time for painting the main metal plate inside of the piano.
The metal plate has been painted and is ready for new strings and dampers.
The new tuning pins, strings, and understring felt are being installed.
Stringing process continues.
After finishing the stringing process the time for the installation of new dampers has arrived.
The refinished pedal lyre has been installed.
Pedals of course had to be refinished and polished as well. A detailed approach to a restoration process makes a big difference.
The Steinway & Sons grand piano is almost ready for the delivery to a client.
As I was busy rebuilding and restoring the inside components of the piano, Jeff Thar (the owner of the "Furniture Workshop") was repairing and restoring the finish of the instrument.
Few pictures of the piano before Jeff's restoration process:
The old finish had to be stripped
Staining process has begun
Piano lid repair and refinishing
The rebuild Steinway & Sons grand piano (Model A, Serial Number 77972) has been delivered to a client
