From August 2016, all pianos bought and sold by us will undergo a specific level of work, so that the piano will receive the best possible care and attention, depending on it's condition, age and quality. Prospective customers will be able to see this at a glance by final photos of the piano displaying the appropriate metal plaque. Any customer wishing to have their own piano repaired or restored can now choose from the four different levels of service. This level of service is mainly for upright pianos having an under-damped mechanism, or baby grand piano. Each level of service will also reflect in the selling price of one of our pianos and reflect in restoration costs to privately owned pianos.
See restoration prices
See restoration prices
LEVEL 1 : SERVICED
Not refurbished, restored or rebuilt.
Good level of service work, cleaning & maintenance to the mechanism, keyboard and pedals.
Minor repairs if needed. Cabinet repairs and colour pen touch-ups / wax polish. No brass work.
Original parts used / budget repairs. Replace bridle tapes if required.
Piano tuned to pitch, part-regulated and serviced. All notes working & playing nicely.
Original strings and tuning pins/ key tops and name board felt.
No workshop schedule notes available
Not refurbished, restored or rebuilt.
Good level of service work, cleaning & maintenance to the mechanism, keyboard and pedals.
Minor repairs if needed. Cabinet repairs and colour pen touch-ups / wax polish. No brass work.
Original parts used / budget repairs. Replace bridle tapes if required.
Piano tuned to pitch, part-regulated and serviced. All notes working & playing nicely.
Original strings and tuning pins/ key tops and name board felt.
No workshop schedule notes available
LEVEL 2 : REFURBISHED
Not restored or rebuilt
Very good level of service work, repairs, cleaning & maintenance.
Mechanism: new bridle tapes and balance leathers/ re-face hammers
Keys polished / new name board felt / pedal mechanism serviced
Cabinet repairs & touch-ups/ wax polish / original finish renovated.
Tuned to Concert Pitch / 3/4 regulated & serviced. Original strings & tuning pins.
Brief workshop schedule notes available
Not restored or rebuilt
Very good level of service work, repairs, cleaning & maintenance.
Mechanism: new bridle tapes and balance leathers/ re-face hammers
Keys polished / new name board felt / pedal mechanism serviced
Cabinet repairs & touch-ups/ wax polish / original finish renovated.
Tuned to Concert Pitch / 3/4 regulated & serviced. Original strings & tuning pins.
Brief workshop schedule notes available
LEVEL 3 : RESTORED
Not rebuilt.
Advanced level of service work, repairs, cleaning & maintenance.
Thorough strip down to mechanism: new bridle tapes, balance & butt leathers, springs & loops, hammer rest rail baize, re-face hammers/ dampers / lever undercarriages. Action alloy brackets/ fixtures re-sprayed if required.
Keys polished / name board felt / new cream key tops (if req.) / pedals restored.
Cabinet: Good original repairs/ or strip-down & Polish in Faux Ebony or Danish Oil.
If the cabinet is mostly scratched/ dents/ bruises etc., and if there is a vast contrast between parts of the cabinet fading or very dark patches (e.g. caused by lack of sunlight behind the fallboard), then the whole cabinet will be re-polished. Also applies to any DIY repairs.
Brass work polished & lacquered.
Fine tuning to CP / full regulation and servicing
(If missing) -- provision of an after-market key to lock fallboard (uprights only).
Full workshop schedule notes available.
Not rebuilt.
Advanced level of service work, repairs, cleaning & maintenance.
Thorough strip down to mechanism: new bridle tapes, balance & butt leathers, springs & loops, hammer rest rail baize, re-face hammers/ dampers / lever undercarriages. Action alloy brackets/ fixtures re-sprayed if required.
Keys polished / name board felt / new cream key tops (if req.) / pedals restored.
Cabinet: Good original repairs/ or strip-down & Polish in Faux Ebony or Danish Oil.
If the cabinet is mostly scratched/ dents/ bruises etc., and if there is a vast contrast between parts of the cabinet fading or very dark patches (e.g. caused by lack of sunlight behind the fallboard), then the whole cabinet will be re-polished. Also applies to any DIY repairs.
Brass work polished & lacquered.
Fine tuning to CP / full regulation and servicing
(If missing) -- provision of an after-market key to lock fallboard (uprights only).
Full workshop schedule notes available.
LEVEL 4 : REBUILD
Full restoration and rebuild to the whole piano with existing wrest plank, soundboard & bridges.
Unique top level of maintenance, servicing and after-care included. (E.g. free local tuning).
Full-on mechanism rebuild; Hammers: Bridle tapes, leathers, springs & loops, full re-pin, hammer re-facing or recover. (Hammer heads replaced only to top-end pianos).
Undercarriages: Back check felts, jack springs, re-pin, wires burnished & polished.
Dampers: New backing felts, muting felts, springs and guide felts / re-pin.
Keyboard: (if required) - new cream key tops or burnished & polished ivories/ ebonies.
Key frame washers and baizes replaced.
Full pedal mechanism rebuild, including lift rods, brass work.
Cabinet: Full re-polish "as new" in either satin or Faux Ebony finish.
Stringing: New treble & bass strings, tuning pins & voicing cloths. Cast frame re-guild/ new decals if required.
If required, repairs and varnish / lubricant to soundboard and bridges.
Optional: New hammer heads & shanks/ capstan grub screws (e.g. German rocker capstans)
Full workshop schedule notes + CD photos.
NOTICE
The above levels are a guide only and may vary. Parts of one level may roll into another level depending on condition and v.v.. Any additional work will be stated verbally or as in the workshop notes. There is no exact cut-off point from one level to another. The above levels are a general guide, and the price of the piano (or customer's restoration fees) will reflect on the work done, labour and general level of service. Levels of service are subject to change without notice.
Should a client purchase a piano from us at (say) Level 2: "Refurbished".... they may wish to upgrade the level of service at any time, subject to availability of parts and materials. .
SAMPLE LEVELS OF RESTORATION
Please feel free to view two examples of our work, and note the level of restoration for each as shown by the photos & notes.
Full restoration and rebuild to the whole piano with existing wrest plank, soundboard & bridges.
Unique top level of maintenance, servicing and after-care included. (E.g. free local tuning).
Full-on mechanism rebuild; Hammers: Bridle tapes, leathers, springs & loops, full re-pin, hammer re-facing or recover. (Hammer heads replaced only to top-end pianos).
Undercarriages: Back check felts, jack springs, re-pin, wires burnished & polished.
Dampers: New backing felts, muting felts, springs and guide felts / re-pin.
Keyboard: (if required) - new cream key tops or burnished & polished ivories/ ebonies.
Key frame washers and baizes replaced.
Full pedal mechanism rebuild, including lift rods, brass work.
Cabinet: Full re-polish "as new" in either satin or Faux Ebony finish.
Stringing: New treble & bass strings, tuning pins & voicing cloths. Cast frame re-guild/ new decals if required.
If required, repairs and varnish / lubricant to soundboard and bridges.
Optional: New hammer heads & shanks/ capstan grub screws (e.g. German rocker capstans)
Full workshop schedule notes + CD photos.
NOTICE
The above levels are a guide only and may vary. Parts of one level may roll into another level depending on condition and v.v.. Any additional work will be stated verbally or as in the workshop notes. There is no exact cut-off point from one level to another. The above levels are a general guide, and the price of the piano (or customer's restoration fees) will reflect on the work done, labour and general level of service. Levels of service are subject to change without notice.
Should a client purchase a piano from us at (say) Level 2: "Refurbished".... they may wish to upgrade the level of service at any time, subject to availability of parts and materials. .
SAMPLE LEVELS OF RESTORATION
Please feel free to view two examples of our work, and note the level of restoration for each as shown by the photos & notes.
