New or Restored? - How to Choose
If you’re in the market for a piano, you might be weighing up the pros and cons of buying a brand-new instrument versus investing in a restored piano. While the allure of something new is tempting, a beautifully restored piano can offer far more value, character and quality than many new models on the market today.
Based in Somerset, The Piano Restorer offers specialist piano restoration for both upright and grand pianos across the South West and beyond. Our clients fall in love again with the sound and feel of top quality instruments that have been expertly rebuilt. Here’s why a restored piano might be the best choice for you:
Superior craftsmanship and materials
Pianos built before the mid-20th century were hand-crafted, using traditional techniques and high-quality materials that are rarely found in modern mass production.
Renowned makers such as Steinway & Sons, Bechstein, Blüthner and Bösendorfer built instruments designed to last generations, with old-growth spruce soundboards, solid hardwood frames, and hand-built actions. If you’re tempted to opt for a budget new piano instead of restoring a quality older instrument, keep in mind that build quality is key. No budget new piano can hope to compare with one of the big names, regardless of age.
When professionally restored, these instruments can outperform less expensive new pianos in tone, touch, and appearance — giving you an heirloom piece that’s both musically and historically exceptional.
Rich, characterful sound
Every piano develops its own tonal personality over time. The wood matures, the soundboard settles, and the instrument gains warmth and resonance that new pianos often lack.
Through skilled piano restoration, including action regulation, hammer replacement and stringing, we can revive the natural voice of your instrument, retaining its character while ensuring precision and reliability. The result is a piano with a rich, expressive sound — it feels ‘played-in’ and alive, rather than featureless and neutral.
Value for money
A new high-quality piano from a major manufacturer can cost more than a starter home in some areas! On the other hand, a professionally restored upright or grand piano of the same name can deliver equal performance at a significantly lower cost.
Restoration allows you to enjoy concert-standard tone and touch without the premium price tag of a brand new high-level instrument. And because a well-restored piano can last for decades, it’s also an investment in long-term quality.
Sustainability
Restoring an existing piano is a wonderfully sustainable choice. Rather than sending a large, resource-intensive instrument to landfill, piano restoration gives new life to existing materials. Preserving fine craftsmanship while reducing environmental waste – what’s not to love?! It’s the musical equivalent of restoring a classic building or piece of furniture: a respectful balance of heritage, artistry and sustainability.
A piece of musical history
Every restored piano tells a story. From the factory where it was built to the cottages, drawing rooms and concert halls it has filled with music, each instrument carries a sense of history that a new piano simply won’t replicate for generations.
Whether yours is a vintage grand piano or a family upright passed down through generations, The Piano Restorer’s expert restoration keeps the story alive, while ensuring it plays beautifully for decades to come.
Tailored to you
Within its original parameters, a restored piano can be personalised to your preferences. From the tone and touch to the colour and sheen level of the case, our expert technicians can tailor the restoration to suit your style of playing and aesthetic taste. All of this means your piano won’t just sound wonderful — it will feel truly yours.
And finally…
Choosing between a new and a restored piano isn’t just a practical decision. It’s a statement about what kind of craftsmanship you value, and what kind of music you want to make.
A restored piano combines quality with unparalleled individuality and sustainability — a timeless instrument brought back to life through expert care, supporting a centuries-old tradition of craftsmanship.
The Piano Restorer specialises in bespoke piano restoration across Somerset and the South West. Whether you’re restoring a treasured family piano or looking to give an auction bargain a new lease of life, we’d be delighted to help. Contact us today to discuss your requirements — and discover why a restored piano could be the perfect choice for your space.