Has anyone ever had an old piano refurbished?

Question

I have an old walnut baby grand piano withivory keys that I would like to have refurbished and painted black. Has anyone any experience with this? How much did it cost? Were you pleased with the results? Also has anyone had an automatic digital player installed on an old piano? Thanks for your replies!

Answer 1

For what it would cost... You are better off just buying or financing a new one already equipped and freshly lacquered.



Refurbishing is expensive... It has to be picked up, sent out and done on premises (There is a great place in NC.) It takes time and money and patience as it takes forever.



I bought my baby grand already refurbished with a green/gold opalescent stain on it... Mine is an antique though... almost 100 years old so... All I really ever do to it is have it; tuned, re strung and brought up to pitch. I bought it quite cheaply too because I was told by a friend of mine that "it easier to sell a used piano as a boat anchor than it is to sell one as a piano." No one wants to touch them... They are too expensive to move.



I don't believe it is "Paint." That they put on it but rather a lacquered stain. It is quite expensive... Just get a new one. Unless your piano is antique or will be valuable when it is (as in a Steinway or some German or European model... it really isn't worth it.

Answer 2

While I've never had a piano of my own refurbished, I have been to a place that specializes in it just north of La Grange, Texas. They had grand piano's of all shapes and sizes and some really old ones as well. Since we had a farm close by (considered a "local") we got a very in depth tour several times where I was able to see all the work they did and the quality of the restorations.



Like anything, it depends on who does the restoration. I've seen old cars restored perfectly and I've seen some really bad restorations. Likewise with piano's.



Cost: That really depends on the level of work required. Some of the pianos I saw were in "really bad" shape, and they were able to restore them, but at a significant cost. Some of the minor fixes seemed reseasonable.



What I would do before picking one place to restore it...go to several places and have them give you a tour and perhaps show them piano's that have similar problems to yours. You can compare how each of them would fix the problem and get some idea of their personality so you know who you'd be paying. It's certainly not convienient for you to do so, but if it's a special piano, I wouldn't want an amatuer figuring out what not to do.

Answer 3

Had an upright restored.

Although the outter finish came out well

...it has 2 be tuned often.



sorry didn't have to pay 4 it, so i don't know the cost ;-/

Answer 4

my dad