Our specialists are true professionals in their field. They all have a degree in music and extensive experience in restoring and tuning grand pianos. They constantly learn new techniques, attend professional training events and have a lot of practice. So today we're going to take a closer look at some of the exciting processes and stages of grand piano restoration.

Over time, piano strings lose their original sound quality, so it’s advisable to replace them with new ones every few decades. For each grand piano model, the strings must be made individually, since the parameters must be extremely precise. In some cases, especially when working with vintage instruments, the core to copper winding size ratio can be recalculated to improve the sound.
At Grand Piano Lab, we've made a new set of strings for a 1907 Blüthner grand piano.

After the strings have been made, they need to be installed. This is painstaking work that takes a lot of time, since a grand piano (and any piano in general) has an average of 220-250 strings. This is a very precise and delicate process. For example, a specialist must be able to make identical loops of the same high quality, by which the strings are attached to the pin on the frame, calculate the exact number of rings on the pin, etc.

The keyboard of a piano or grand piano is always made of high-quality spruce, which is carefully dried and free of knots or resin pockets.
If an instrument ages over many decades, the appearance of the wood changes, it darkens, and traces of usage appear on the side surfaces. Therefore, cleaning all surfaces of the keys is an important part of the piano or grand piano restoration process. The aesthetic component is also important here: we must bring the instrument back to its beautiful and pleasant appearance.

More than a century ago, when the chemical industry wasn’t as developed as it is today, the best solution for making white keycaps was elephant tusk (ivory). This durable and wear-resistant material has always been a sign of a truly high-quality instrument.

Even today, older instruments often feature ivory keys that still look great. Over time, elephant tusk was gradually replaced by plastic, and today the piano industry has completely abandoned the use of ivory in the production of white keycaps. However, for many musicians, these are the keys that are most pleasant to the touch, both in terms of tactile sensations and aesthetics.

One of the problems with ivory overlays is fading and yellowing. During restoration, we try to preserve the original parts of the instruments as much as possible, so we perform a key whitening procedure. After several procedures, where we use special solutions and ultraviolet lamps, the keys are restored to their original appearance.

Piano hammers are an important component that determines the sound characteristics, and because they bear a lot of the stress when striking the strings to create sound, they wear out over time. They need to be periodically sanded to restore their original shape and smooth out the striking surface. Once the lifespan of a hammer has expired and further sanding is no longer possible, it needs to be replaced.

It’s very important to choose new hammers correctly, as they can have completely different sound characteristics. After we’ve decided on the type of the hammers, we take measurements and calculate the correct drilling parameters. Each instrument has its own characteristics, including some unevenness of the frame, and this must be taken into account when calculating the length and angle of drilling.

After being glued into the groove, the hammer should strike the string at an angle of 90%, with a stroke of 45-47 mm (depending on the instrument) and a specific angle of rotation.

New hammers rarely have a clear sound right away. The same applies to hammers that are not new, but have already been adjusted through use during play. To achieve good sound, there are several procedures, one of which is intonation. This procedure involves piercing specific areas of the hammer (such as the fortissimo zone or the pianissimo zone) with the aim of changing their characteristics and influencing the ability of the instrument to sound with the desired dynamics. This is a very important and complex process that requires a lot of experience, and it works both ways: it can either improve the sound or ruin the hammers.

The main aim of intonation is to equalize the sound of each note on the entire piano. Ideally, the instrument should play equally smoothly at any dynamics. This will make it easier for the pianist to control their playing performance. In this way, we can also influence the timbre of the instrument, making adjustments, so that the sound becomes either softer and warmer, or more concert-like and open.

The piano soundboard is the most important part of the acoustic block. It’s usually made of special spruce with high acoustic properties. The soundboard is the main resonator that significantly amplifies and enriches the sound produced by the strings. The main and most common problems with the soundboard are cracks, which appear either due to lack of moisture or the age of the instrument. When repairing cracks, it’s important to use high-quality materials. We make planks of acoustic wood to restore the soundboard to its near-original condition. This entire procedure is carried out after the grand piano has been completely disassembled, and the frame removed.

It’s also important to support the soundboard from the other side by placing special wedges between the board and the brace. Before starting the repairs, the soundboard must be kept in certain climatic conditions with low humidity, so that the cracks open wide enough and, possibly, other weak points become apparent. This will ensure a long service life of the instrument after the restoration.

Over time, the appearance of the instrument becomes less presentable, so it will need updating, namely polishing. Modern instruments are usually coated with a polyester varnish, also known as "piano varnish". It has high gloss properties and colour depth. This varnish is also scratch-resistant and has a long polishing life due to the thickness of the layer. This procedure must be performed using high-quality abrasives and, of course, it should be done by an experienced specialist, as a mistake can be very costly. If everything is done correctly, the appearance of the instrument can be restored to a mirror shine and “like new” condition.

Restoring a grand piano is not just about repairing the instrument itself, but also reviving its soul. Each grand piano, having passed through the hands of experienced specialists, becomes a messenger of history, speaks with a new powerful voice and brings joy to musicians and spectators alike. If you ever have to choose between buying a new grand piano or a restored vintage one, don't miss out on the opportunity to treat yourself to the unique sound of history.

If you are interested in how our vintage grand pianos are given new life, follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest.