Technical Bulletin #6
REBUILDING/RECONDITIONING
Reconditioning
Rebuilding
What happens to a piano as it ages?
When does a piano need reconditioning or rebuilding?
How do I decide if major repairs are appropriate?
What work is included in reconditioning?
What work is included in rebuilding?
How do I arrange for these major repairs?
Cutaway view of grand piano
A piano not only serves the art of music, it is a work of art
itself. A wonderfully complex machine, it has thousands of moving parts,
a framework and soundboard supporting tremendous string tension, and beautifully
finished cabinetry.
Although remarkably durable, pianos are subject to deterioration
with time and use. Felt wears, strings break, wooden structures weaken
and crack, and the exterior finish loses its beauty. Regular service and
periodic action regulation can compensate for minor wear, but heavy or
extended use -- especially when combined with wide seasonal humidity swings
-- can eventually cause severe deterioration.
Today, many high-quality older pianos exist in various stages
of wear. Because it happens so gradually, this wear often goes unnoticed,
leaving many pianos operating far below their potential. In extreme cases,
some older pianos are simply left unplayed because of their poor condition.
Some technicians possess the skills to restore such instruments to excellent
condition. This work is variously described as rebuilding, restoration, or reconditioning.
To establish some uniformity, the Piano Technicians Guild uses the following
terms:
Reconditioning
Reconditioning is the process of putting a piano back in good condition
by cleaning, repairing, and adjusting for best performance with parts replacement
only where necessary. This is most appropriate for a piano with only moderate
wear or those of medium value with average performance requirements.
Reconditioning does not involve replacing major components such
as the soundboard, bridges, pinblock, and most action parts. This means
the performance and life-span of an older piano will not be restored to
new. Instead, reconditioning is designed to improve a piano's performance,
keeping in mind both costs and benefits.
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Rebuilding
Rebuilding involves complete disassembly, inspection, and repair as necessary,
including replacement of ALL worn, damaged, or deteriorated parts. This
piano is then reassembled, tested, and adjusted to the same or similar
tolerances as new. COMPLETE REBUILDING includes the entire pianos structure
-- including soundboard, bridges, pinblock, and strings -- as well as the
action, keyboard, and case refinishing. PARTIAL REBUILDING includes only
one or two of these areas, for example rebuilding of the action and structure,
but not case refinishing.
Rebuilding restores the piano to original condition or better.
Such comprehensive work is usually most practical for high-quality instruments
here maximum performance and longevity are required.
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What happens to a piano as it ages?
In the short term, leather and felt compact, affecting the adjustment (regulation)
of the parts. The action becomes uneven and less responsive, and the piano's
tone loses dynamic range. Squeaks and rattles may develop. Routine maintenance
such as hammer filing, regulation, voicing, and tuning will correct these
problems and maintain the piano in near-new condition.
After extended or very heavy use, action parts become severely
worn. Leather and felt wear thin. Keys become wobbly, hammer felt gets
too thin to produce good tone, and the action becomes noisy. Regulation
adjustments reach their limit. In addition, piano strings may begin breaking
and the copper windings of bass strings lose resonance.
After decades of exposure to seasonal changes, the wood of the
soundboard, bridges, and pinblock is weakened. This causes loose tuning
pins, poor tuning stability, and further loss of tone. By this time the
piano's finish will often be scratched or faded.
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When does a piano need reconditioning or rebuilding?
Most pianos can be played for many years without major repairs. However,
the tone, touch, and appearance will continually decline with age. When
regular maintenance such as cleaning, regulating, voicing, and tuning can
no longer provide satisfactory performance, a piano may require reconditioning
or rebuilding.
Exactly when a piano needs rebuilding or reconditioning depends
on its original quality, the climate, usage, and performance requirements.
One piano may need rebuilding after just twenty years, while another may
need only reconditioning after fifty years. The best way to decide is to
seek out a qualified piano rebuilder with the judgment, experience, and
expertise to advise you on such an important decision. If your Registered
Piano Technician does not offer rebuilding services, ask for referrals.
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How do I decide if major repairs are appropriate?
Not all pianos are worth the expense of reconditioning or rebuilding. In
consultation with your piano technician, you should consider the following
factors:
- The overall condition of the piano. Can it really be restored to original
condition or is it deteriorated beyond repair? Pianos subjected to severe
fire, flood, or moving damage may not be repairable.
- The quality, size, and type of the piano. Low priced, small pianos of poor
design have limited potential. If the rebuilt piano would not be capable of
meeting your performance needs, it would be better to replace it with one
of better design.
- The cost of repairs versus replacement. Major repairs may exceed the value
of small low-quality pianos. However, most large high-quality instruments
can be rebuilt for one-half to two-thirds the cost of a comparable new piano,
making rebuilding a cost-effective option for fine pianos.
- Sentimental value. Personal attachment or historical value may justify
investing in major repairs rather than replacement.
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What work is included in reconditioning?
Reconditioning may include:
- Thorough cleaning.
- Repair or replacement of damaged parts as needed, typically including such
jobs as felt replacement, hammer filing or replacement, and partial restringing.
- Adjustment, regulation, tuning, and voicing to return all parts to proper
function, reduce mechanical noise, and improve tone.
- Finish touch-up or polishing.
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What work is included in rebuilding?
Complete rebuilding typically includes:
- Complete disassembly of the instrument.
- Repair or replacement of soundboard, bridges, and pinblock, as well as
repair of any structural damage to the case.
- Replacement of all strings and tuning pins.
- Thorough restoration of action and damper system, including replacement
of hammers, many action parts, springs, and most felt.
- Rebuilding of the pedal and trapwork system, including replacement of all
worn felt, leather, and metal parts.
- Refinishing of case and plate, polishing or replating of all hardware,
and replacement of all decals, felt trims, and rubber buttons.
- Complete action regulation, tuning, and voicing.
- Multiple tunings to stabilize new strings.
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How do I arrange for these major repairs?
If you suspect that your piano needs major repairs, have a complete evaluation
done by a qualified piano technician who specializes in rebuilding. Discuss
costs versus benefits of various repair options, and whether the completed
piano would meet your performance requirements. Most rebuilders will provide
you with a written proposal. Expect to pay a modest fee for this service.
You may want to visit the rebuilder's shop to inspect other work
in progress, or ask for a reference list of past clients. Checking out
similar jobs will give you a sense of how your instrument could be improved,
as well as a feeling for the technician's workmanship.
When you decide to proceed with major work, be sure to ask for
a written contract. This enables you to know exactly what will get done
to your piano and the associated costs, estimated completion date, payment
method, and guarantee policy.
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The preceding article is a reprint of Technical Bulletin #6 published
by the Piano Technicians Guild, Inc. It is provided on the Internet as
a service to piano owners.
Piano Technicians Guild is an international organization of piano technicians.
Registered Piano Technicians (RPTs) are those members of PTG who have passed
a series of examinations on the maintenance, repair, and tuning of pianos.
For a copy of this or other PTG Bulletins and Pamphlets, or a list of
RPT members in your area, contact Piano Technicians Guild, Inc., 3930 Washington,
Kansas City, MO, 64111-2963. Phone: (816) 753-7747 FAX: (816) 531-0070
E-Mail ptg@ptg.org
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