A family piano often carries more than music. It might be the upright a grandparent learned on, or a pianola that has followed the family from house to house. When an instrument like that needs work, restoration can give it another lifetime, and the move to the workshop and back is part of the job.
What restoration can involve
Restoration ranges from a light refresh to a complete rebuild. Common work includes new hammers and felts, restringing, repairs to the soundboard and bridges, rebuilding the action, refinishing the case and, for player pianos, rebuilding the player mechanism. A restorer will inspect the piano and recommend what is worth doing. If yours is a player piano, see what is a pianola?.
Choosing a restorer
- Ask to see pianos they have restored, and what was done
- Get a written assessment and quote before any work starts
- Ask how long the piano will be in the workshop
- Check whether tuning and regulation are included once the work is done
How the move to the workshop works
Melbourne tuners and restoration workshops already trust us to carry pianos to and from their benches, so the logistics are familiar. We collect the piano from your home, wrapped and strapped, and deliver it to the workshop. When the work is finished, we collect it and bring it home, placed exactly where you want it. You can read more about us on our about page.
Workshops are usually set up for deliveries, but tell us about their access when you book. Some are in laneways or behind other businesses.
Coming home
A freshly restored piano is a real investment, and it deserves the same care coming home as going in. Once it is back, give it a couple of weeks to settle in your room before its first tuning there. Our guide to tuning frequency and costs helps you plan the ongoing care.
Moving an upright or a grand? Our upright and grand piano pages explain how each is handled, or ask for a quote and we will plan both trips.
Questions
Piano restoration: FAQs
Can you take my piano to a restorer and bring it back?
Yes. We collect it, deliver it to the workshop and bring it home when the work is done.
How long does piano restoration take?
It depends on the work involved. Ask the restorer for a timeframe when they quote.
Should the piano be tuned after restoration?
Yes, once it has settled back into your home for a couple of weeks.
Ready when you are