“All You Need Is Love”
This Hallet Davis & Co. grand piano began its life as a fine, expensive instrument and has a rich history making music. Over the years, it must have been at the center of many cocktail parties, leading to spills and some unprofessional refinishing. By the time the current owner brought it to me, the piano had numerous broken strings and lots of rust.
The owner requested a hand-rubbed satin black (ebonized) finish, so we started by removing the strings and tuning pins and taking out the cast iron plate to access the soundboard. After cleaning, sanding, and refinishing the soundboard and bridges, we tackled the piano case.
Everything came together beautifully as a finished piano. The old, worn keytops were replaced with new ones, and a new fallboard decal was installed to identify the piano. All brass parts were disassembled and polished, and the case was hand-rubbed with straight, careful strokes to give a brushed, satin finish. The piano now has a superb, rich tone and a beautiful finish, ready to start its next hundred years — no drinking around this piano, please!
Everything came together beautifully as a finished piano. The old, worn keytops were replaced with new ones, and a new fallboard decal was installed to identify the piano. All brass parts were disassembled and polished, and the case was hand-rubbed with straight, careful strokes to give a brushed, satin finish. The piano now has a superb, rich tone and a beautiful finish, ready to start its next hundred years — no drinking around this piano, please!
Wurlitzer Butterfly
The Wurlitzer butterfly grand, made in limited numbers during the Great Depression of the 1930s, has garnered quite a following, making it a valuable instrument. This particular piano had nearly 80 years of use and abuse, with veneer missing from the music rack, a completely deteriorated finish, and numerous dents and gouges. The lower left corner of the case was broken off, and cracks ran through almost every board joint of the soundboard with a faded decal.
In the restoration process, I completely repaired and refinished the soundboard and applied a new soundboard decal. The iron plate was refinished, and the entire piano was restrung. Extensive repairs and color matching were performed on the music rack and other cabinet damage, resulting in a beautifully restored and functional piano.
In the restoration process, I completely repaired and refinished the soundboard and applied a new soundboard decal. The iron plate was refinished, and the entire piano was restrung. Extensive repairs and color matching were performed on the music rack and other cabinet damage, resulting in a beautifully restored and functional piano.
“I Thought It Was Black”
This Francis Bacon baby grand was built in the 1920s and appeared to have an ebony finish due to its deteriorated state, but it was originally a beautiful mahogany. The ivory keytops were badly chipped, making it look like it had been in a bar fight. The refinishing process involved completely disassembling the case, repairing dents, and using a quality aniline dye to bring out exceptional grain patterns. The high-gloss lacquer finish brought the piano back to life. Although a hand-polished finish wasn’t within budget, additional work on clear coats and sanding created a stunning effect.
Throughout the process, all brass hardware was cleaned and polished, the cast iron plate was cleaned, and the strings were polished to eliminate rust. Despite working within a tight budget, the result was a beautifully restored piano.
Throughout the process, all brass hardware was cleaned and polished, the cast iron plate was cleaned, and the strings were polished to eliminate rust. Despite working within a tight budget, the result was a beautifully restored piano.
“Back From The Dead”
This piano was more than a refinishing project; it was a complete cabinet restoration. It was inherited from a loved family member, had great sentimental value, but had been left outside on a patio prior to that. Similar to antique restoration, I take great care and assure quality results for your treasured items.
The damage was extensive, and many pieces had to be re-made from scratch due to de-lamination. Additionally, much of what didn't have to be re-made needed to be re-veneered.
Details in a project of this scope make the difference. A new decal for the fallboard, and polishing or replacing old brass pieces, and well as replacing damaged felt.
The final hand-rubbed finish returns this 1928 piano to it's original beauty.