Restoration & Polishing
Upright Pianos / HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
If your piano needs just that one step further in repairs, we also carry out various restoration and refurbishment package deals. If you are considering a restoration, please contact us to arrange your assessment report visit. We will fully inspect your piano in these areas: Mechanism, keyboard, pedals, casework, strings and structural areas such as the soundboard.
We also carry out repairs & polishing to many household furniture items such as chairs, tables and cabinets.
Although some of wording may be "piano" orientated.... all furniture items are treated in the same way, and we use the same traditional strip-down and rebuild processes as for pianos. As an example, see the Victorian China Cabinet below.
After all, a piano is also a piece of furniture!
More information about the assessment? Learn more.....
What is the difference between "Restoration" and "Refurbishment" ?
Learn more....
We also carry out repairs & polishing to many household furniture items such as chairs, tables and cabinets.
Although some of wording may be "piano" orientated.... all furniture items are treated in the same way, and we use the same traditional strip-down and rebuild processes as for pianos. As an example, see the Victorian China Cabinet below.
After all, a piano is also a piece of furniture!
More information about the assessment? Learn more.....
What is the difference between "Restoration" and "Refurbishment" ?
Learn more....
PIANO CABINET POLISHING & FINISHING SERVICES
> Traditional French Polishing (Walnut, Oak, Mahogany, Ebony, Rosewood etc)
> Bespoke natural wood finished using waxes and oils
> Modern black ebonised brushed satin effects
> Simulated grain & stain finish (economy service)
> Danish Oil semi-gloss finish
> Furniture polishing, lace fabric shelving & back drops
> Revive & polish brass work, hinges, lock & plate, ornamentation
Slideshow: Bechstein Upright Piano Model 10 (1907) Full Refurbishment
Mechanism rebuild : Re-stringing : Pedals & Keyboard overhaul : Cabinet repairs & finishing.
Finely tuned, regulated and serviced.
> Traditional French Polishing (Walnut, Oak, Mahogany, Ebony, Rosewood etc)
> Bespoke natural wood finished using waxes and oils
> Modern black ebonised brushed satin effects
> Simulated grain & stain finish (economy service)
> Danish Oil semi-gloss finish
> Furniture polishing, lace fabric shelving & back drops
> Revive & polish brass work, hinges, lock & plate, ornamentation
Slideshow: Bechstein Upright Piano Model 10 (1907) Full Refurbishment
Mechanism rebuild : Re-stringing : Pedals & Keyboard overhaul : Cabinet repairs & finishing.
Finely tuned, regulated and serviced.
Bechstein restoration >>>
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Victorian China Cabinet Restoration
Full restoration to a Victorian China Cabinet
New custom-fit cream lace fabric back-drop & shelving
Spear shaped window frames
Head board & finial design to top
French Polished in traditional Rosewood
Not long after a customer had their piano re-polished with us (and re-strung), we were asked.... "is there anything you could do with this?" ...... this China Cabinet was fully restored including French Polishing, new back-drop ply wood, and all shelves and back-drop re-fabricated with lace cloth.
Previous damage/ staining
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Dismantling cabinet
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Strip down process
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Removing old French Polish
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Cabinet leg & claw foot
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Paper template for fabric
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Sizing up/ trimming fabric
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Cabinet top polishing
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LATE VICTORIAN STYLE SMALL TABLE WITH DRAWER
QUEEN ANNE / BALL & CLAW STYLE LEGS
JOB DETAILS: STRIP DOWN, REMOVE SCRATCHES & DENTS/ BRUISES/ REPAIRS, FRENCH POLISH & FINISHING
BEFORE PHOTOS >>
Showing scratches, water marks, blemishes, dents, faded patches, and general wear and tear
QUEEN ANNE / BALL & CLAW STYLE LEGS
JOB DETAILS: STRIP DOWN, REMOVE SCRATCHES & DENTS/ BRUISES/ REPAIRS, FRENCH POLISH & FINISHING
BEFORE PHOTOS >>
Showing scratches, water marks, blemishes, dents, faded patches, and general wear and tear
STAGE ONE: START CHEMICAL STRIPDOWN - REMOVE OLD POLISH/ WAX/ DIRT SURFACES >>
STAGE TWO: START OF COURSE SANDING & SCRAPING TO REMOVE DEEP SCRATCHES & FADING (rh)
STAGE THREE: REPAIRS & GENERAL CLEANING
STAGE FOUR: RELIEF WORK
Masking off around internal corners & edges.
Using ebony wood stain to highlight relief areas prior to polishing.
Masking off around internal corners & edges.
Using ebony wood stain to highlight relief areas prior to polishing.
STAGE FIVE: FRENCH POLISHING TABLE TOP (BUTTON POLISH) with masking >>
Hammers & Strings...
 New German hammers
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Mechanism... Restoration to the internal parts
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Cabinet & keyboard... Walnut French Polish
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Before and after ..... Mini Eavestaff Royale...
Eavestaff Mini Royale Upright Piano
See our slideshow and how we restored this piano.....
<< (Before) Showing internal mechanism in very poor condition prior to restoration, and badly insect damaged.
<< (After) several months' work, the piano was restrung,
and the mechanism was completely restored by AA Tuners
including new recovered hammers.
Eavestaff mini piano
Eavestaff showing Art Decor style
The above mechanism belongs to this beautiful piano ~
known as a 'drop reverse action', the internal parts are accessed
from the rear of the piano, and situated below the keyboard.
After a complete restoration, the piano boasts many features
of the Art Deco period, such as chrome banding, and unique
flared chromed - fluted 240v electric candle bulb holders.
Contact us for more details if you own one of these pianos.
Thinking of buying one of these piano? ...... think again! ......
If you are considering buying an Eavestaff mini piano similar to above (1930s bureau style), you must always get it checked over first by a qualified piano technician for loose tuning pins. These 1930s style piano require a unique "double-ended" tuning procedure, different to a standard upright piano, and around 30-40 minutes added preparation and dismantling/ assembly time is required prior to tuning/ repairs/ servicing from the rear of the piano. Later 1950s models abolished the rear action, but still had the 'drop action', located and 'submerged' below the keyboard, requiring 85 or 88 lift (linkage) rod wires to work the mechanism.... easier to tune, but very time consuming indeed if the action needs to come out for repairs. Some earlier models (1940s) also had various articulated linkage arms, requiring extra time to remove. Please ask for more details.
A standard tuning for a 1930s style Eavestaff (like above) will cost in the region of £100.00.
WARNING! >> EAVESTAFF MINI ROYALE PIANOS = BIG BILLS // BIG PROBLEMS Learn more .....
known as a 'drop reverse action', the internal parts are accessed
from the rear of the piano, and situated below the keyboard.
After a complete restoration, the piano boasts many features
of the Art Deco period, such as chrome banding, and unique
flared chromed - fluted 240v electric candle bulb holders.
Contact us for more details if you own one of these pianos.
Thinking of buying one of these piano? ...... think again! ......
If you are considering buying an Eavestaff mini piano similar to above (1930s bureau style), you must always get it checked over first by a qualified piano technician for loose tuning pins. These 1930s style piano require a unique "double-ended" tuning procedure, different to a standard upright piano, and around 30-40 minutes added preparation and dismantling/ assembly time is required prior to tuning/ repairs/ servicing from the rear of the piano. Later 1950s models abolished the rear action, but still had the 'drop action', located and 'submerged' below the keyboard, requiring 85 or 88 lift (linkage) rod wires to work the mechanism.... easier to tune, but very time consuming indeed if the action needs to come out for repairs. Some earlier models (1940s) also had various articulated linkage arms, requiring extra time to remove. Please ask for more details.
A standard tuning for a 1930s style Eavestaff (like above) will cost in the region of £100.00.
WARNING! >> EAVESTAFF MINI ROYALE PIANOS = BIG BILLS // BIG PROBLEMS Learn more .....
Finishing touches .......
Pictures 1-3: Final tuning & checks to a refurbished Steinmayer Upright Piano
Pictures 4-6: Assessment & cabinet colour simulation process prior to refurbishment
Pictures 4-6: Assessment & cabinet colour simulation process prior to refurbishment
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Click to enlarge
Once the wood finish is agreed, we start work on the cabinet to restore it back to new.
Showing some of the repair techniques to fill in chipped veneer, scratches and small bruises.
The piano was then completely stripped down and repolished
Ebony Satin French Polish (brushed effect) - starting with the outer cabinet parts. Pedals & mechanism/ felts also removed to allow for the polishing process.
Finished product >>> Weinbach Upright Piano (dated 1989)
See slideshow for some details of the refurbishment <<Click Here>>
Click to enlarge
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AA PIANO TUNERS UK T: 01274 968993 // M: 0791 485 4072 E: aatuners@hotmail.com
W: www.aatuners.com
W: www.aatuners.com
MECHANISM + RESTRING, COMBINED RESTORATION -- DO I CHOOSE BOTH?
MECHANISM RESTORATION
All piano mechanisms can be refurbished or restored without the need for new strings.
If the strings and tuning pins are still in good condition, the restored mechanism can be recalibrated to fit the old strings.
Occasionally some of the strings may need burnishing to remove some corrosion or rust.
RESTRINGING RESTORATION
If you decide to have your piano restrung with new bass and treble piano wire & new tuning pins,
then you MUST have the mechanism refurbished/ restored at the same time - the two restorations must be combined.
Old un-restored dampers and hammers will not align with new strings, and the piano will not play correctly.
RESTORE MECHANISM, THEN RESTRING LATER?...... THINK AGAIN!
If you have the mechanism restored, then, say, six months later you decide to have your piano restrung,
then you must have the mechanism partly restored and fully adjusted AGAIN. Generally speaking, it is not
advisable to consider a restring without the mechanism aswell - most good piano restorers will not give you the option.
As the strings are set (like concrete) against the cast iron frame, wrest plank and bridges.... every single mechanism alignment
and adjustment hinges around the "template" and position of the strings - this cannot be changed. If you decide to have your piano restrung, then it is an "all or nothing" decision.
Mechanisms however, can be restored on their own. The decision for restringing your piano will boil down to the makers name, quality, age and condition of the piano.
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MECHANISM RESTORATION
All piano mechanisms can be refurbished or restored without the need for new strings.
If the strings and tuning pins are still in good condition, the restored mechanism can be recalibrated to fit the old strings.
Occasionally some of the strings may need burnishing to remove some corrosion or rust.
RESTRINGING RESTORATION
If you decide to have your piano restrung with new bass and treble piano wire & new tuning pins,
then you MUST have the mechanism refurbished/ restored at the same time - the two restorations must be combined.
Old un-restored dampers and hammers will not align with new strings, and the piano will not play correctly.
RESTORE MECHANISM, THEN RESTRING LATER?...... THINK AGAIN!
If you have the mechanism restored, then, say, six months later you decide to have your piano restrung,
then you must have the mechanism partly restored and fully adjusted AGAIN. Generally speaking, it is not
advisable to consider a restring without the mechanism aswell - most good piano restorers will not give you the option.
As the strings are set (like concrete) against the cast iron frame, wrest plank and bridges.... every single mechanism alignment
and adjustment hinges around the "template" and position of the strings - this cannot be changed. If you decide to have your piano restrung, then it is an "all or nothing" decision.
Mechanisms however, can be restored on their own. The decision for restringing your piano will boil down to the makers name, quality, age and condition of the piano.
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