What makes a piano worth restoring?
A well-built piano is more than just an instrument. It’s a piece of furniture, a tangible window into history, an enduring symbol of craftsmanship and artistry, and simply part of the family in many cases. Over time, however, even the finest pianos begin to show signs of wear.
The Piano Restorer specialises in piano restoration. Based in Somerset, we cover a wide area in the South West, and love helping musicians and families bring their treasured instrument back to life.
It’s never just about money! We have restored many pianos for families who were simply determined to keep a piece of family history alive for future generations, and there’s great value in doing exactly that. However, many pianos are worth the investment in repair or restoration from a financial perspective as well. Here are a few areas to consider:
Heritage and craftsmanship
Some pianos simply deserve saving no matter what life has thrown at them. Those made by renowned manufacturers — for example, Steinway & Sons, Bechstein, Blüthner or Bösendorfer — were hand-built by craftsmen using premium materials and traditional techniques and hold their value exceptionally well.
If your piano dates from the early 20th century or earlier, it was probably hand-built with a slow-grown, solid soundboard, seasoned hardwoods and precision engineering. Whether or not it’s one of the top names, this quality alone makes it highly worthwhile to explore restoration. From basic restoration to a working family upright, to a full antique grand piano rebuild, we can help!
Structure and condition
Before deciding to restore your piano, you’ll want to assess its structure and condition. Almost any issues can be overcome, but as costs inevitably rise with increased parts and labour time, a structural assessment should be your first step.
Has the piano had a hard life? Been in a damp room for generations? Bumped up and down steps or over uneven floors during moves? If yours is an upright piano, is it overstrung and underdamped? (See our related blog post on how to tell HERE add link)
Whether your piano is an upright or grand, our expert technicians carefully assess key components, including:
Soundboard – Can you see cracks?
Wrest plank (pinblock) – Are the tuning pins secure under tension? If not, the piano won’t hold its tune. Did your tuner mention any instability on their last visit? If you’re not sure, we can advise.
Frame and bridges – Do these seem stable, or are they showing signs of warping or cracks?
Regardless of structural issues, a professional piano restoration can bring your piano back to excellent playing condition, often surpassing the performance of newer, less expensive models.
Tone and touch potential
The beauty of piano restoration lies in rediscovering the instrument’s original voice. However extensive, piano restoration can only return a piano to its original potential, and this depends on the original build quality. Through the calibre of their materials and craftsmanship, high-quality older pianos often possess a unique tonal depth and feel that is sadly lacking in modern budget instruments.
Through careful work including action regulation and hammer replacement, our technicians can restore your piano’s full dynamic range and responsiveness. The result? It not only looks beautiful, but sounds and feels inspiring to play once more.
Sentimental and historical value
Music is an evocative thread, illuminating memories and connecting us with the past. Many pianos hold deep personal meaning: perhaps you have a family heirloom passed down through generations, or the piano on which you first learned to play. If not, perhaps you’ve dreamed of creating that for your own children. Restoration preserves your piano’s history and emotional connection, allowing it to be enjoyed by future generations.
Whether you have an antique upright or a vintage baby grand, honour its story and keep it playing beautifully with our West Country piano restoration services.
Value and investment
A professionally restored piano can appreciate significantly in value, especially when rebuilt by expert technicians using genuine parts. Restoring a piano from a respected maker, from an old cottage Bechstein upright to a Steinway drawing room grand, can transform a neglected instrument into one that rivals new showroom models — often for a fraction of the price.
However, restoration isn’t just about financial return (if it was, imagine how many historic collections would have been lost over the years!). There is incalculable value in investing in music, heritage, and craftsmanship that will last for decades to come.
Sustainability and preservation of traditional craft
Choosing to restore rather than replace is also an environmentally responsible decision. Piano refurbishment prevents hundreds of kilos of timber, iron, and felt from going to waste every year, while supporting traditional British piano craftsmanship.
The Piano Restorer is part of a centuries-old tradition; we’re proud to help preserve both the planet and the artistry behind fine piano making. We enjoy the challenge of sensitively incorporating the very best new technology into our work, while respecting the skill of the original piano makers.
And finally…
A piano is worth restoring when it combines quality, character, and potential. Whether your piano is a concert grand, an upright family piano, or a pretty vintage instrument in need of expert attention, restoration can give it a new lease of life.
If you’re considering piano restoration or repair, Somerset-based The Piano Restorer offers expert assessments, detailed quotations and meticulous craftsmanship.
Contact us today to discuss your requirements. Let’s bring your piano back to life — beautifully, sustainably, and true to its original voice.