Steinberg of Berlin ~ Upright Piano Portfolio
Beautiful Art Nouveau crafted cabinet with stool
Welcome to our restoration blog.
This piano has undergone extensive refurbishment, and we would like to share with you
some of the work done ~
Click on any of the images to enlarge (occasional image/ gallery photos).
All images are Copyright and must not be duplicated or copied.
This piano has undergone extensive refurbishment, and we would like to share with you
some of the work done ~
Click on any of the images to enlarge (occasional image/ gallery photos).
All images are Copyright and must not be duplicated or copied.
The piano and stool was rescued from a home in Bradford.
After a full inspection, although a bit rough around the edges, some damp issues, the piano was carefully restored back to its original condition with patina. The internal mechanism and keyboard was completely overhauled. The wrest plank, tuning pins and strings/ soundboard and bridges are in good original condition, and no damage or cracks.
The piano has a 85 note keyboard with original celluloid key coverings; key bushings and capstans in good condition, but due to the lid being closed for many months, the 'white' keys were stained yellow (due to starvation of UV natural light), and the black keys (ebonies) were badly worn/ faded and signs of light mould. Image showing original key condition >>
After a full inspection, although a bit rough around the edges, some damp issues, the piano was carefully restored back to its original condition with patina. The internal mechanism and keyboard was completely overhauled. The wrest plank, tuning pins and strings/ soundboard and bridges are in good original condition, and no damage or cracks.
The piano has a 85 note keyboard with original celluloid key coverings; key bushings and capstans in good condition, but due to the lid being closed for many months, the 'white' keys were stained yellow (due to starvation of UV natural light), and the black keys (ebonies) were badly worn/ faded and signs of light mould. Image showing original key condition >>
The piano has a full iron frame, strings are over-strung with an under-damped mechanism - showing all signs of a successful restoration, and ticks all the boxes in terms of design.
Dated approximately 1913, the front facia panel (see top right hand corner) and legs reveal beautiful carvings from the Art Nouveau period.
This style was influenced by the Arts & Crafts period and preceded Art Deco .
This stylish piano displays many typical features of the Art Nouveau movement including:
# Sinuous & elongated lines
# Crescent-shaped curves / half moon
# Vertical & Horizontal pin-stripe lines and borders
# Stylish motifs/ flowers/ leaves/ roots/ buds and seedpods
# Accented, reflective and decorative corners
MECHANISM: The first job was to restore the internal moving parts - the 'mechanism'.
This consists of around 3,000 parts: 85 hammers/ 85 undercarriages & jacks / 64 dampers.
Dated approximately 1913, the front facia panel (see top right hand corner) and legs reveal beautiful carvings from the Art Nouveau period.
This style was influenced by the Arts & Crafts period and preceded Art Deco .
This stylish piano displays many typical features of the Art Nouveau movement including:
# Sinuous & elongated lines
# Crescent-shaped curves / half moon
# Vertical & Horizontal pin-stripe lines and borders
# Stylish motifs/ flowers/ leaves/ roots/ buds and seedpods
# Accented, reflective and decorative corners
MECHANISM: The first job was to restore the internal moving parts - the 'mechanism'.
This consists of around 3,000 parts: 85 hammers/ 85 undercarriages & jacks / 64 dampers.
Steinberg mechanism & keyboard
Mechanism prepared for dismantling
Images of the hammer/ u carriage mechanism parts before & during restoration >>>
Showing some of the upgrades and new parts installed >>
Keyboard/ key coverings >>>
DAMPERS: The original dampers still worked to a degree - the odd note 'ringing on' - but due to being worn out and thick with dust/ springs weak / felts misaligned and deeply grooved.... the whole damper system has been fully restored. Parts of the damper bodies / spoon cloths were excessively worn down to the wood (3rd image).... not any more!
The following work has also been carried out >>
# Mechanism parts re-installed/ aligned/ regulated
# Hammer rest rail baize/ associated rails, brackets restored
# Keys installed onto the key frame / aligned/ levelled / tested
# Casework/ cabinet parts / panels / legs & trusses
# Pedal mechanism stripped down and refurbished/ new pedal tops
# Installation of all parts / servicing / regulate all parts
# Strings & tuning pins burnished and cleaned
# Brass fittings/ hinges / lock etc to be fully burnished, polished and life-time lacquered
# Pitch raise (pre-tuning) and 2 X fine tuning to Concert Pitch - C523.3 Hz.
Tel: 01274 968993
More recent photos ....
# Mechanism parts re-installed/ aligned/ regulated
# Hammer rest rail baize/ associated rails, brackets restored
# Keys installed onto the key frame / aligned/ levelled / tested
# Casework/ cabinet parts / panels / legs & trusses
# Pedal mechanism stripped down and refurbished/ new pedal tops
# Installation of all parts / servicing / regulate all parts
# Strings & tuning pins burnished and cleaned
# Brass fittings/ hinges / lock etc to be fully burnished, polished and life-time lacquered
# Pitch raise (pre-tuning) and 2 X fine tuning to Concert Pitch - C523.3 Hz.
Tel: 01274 968993
More recent photos ....
Points to note >>
Front panel, lower left - small mark in wood
Two small vertical scratches to rear of fallboard section - blended with polish.
Few small scratches on top lid & sides/ rear of fallboard.
Piano key D16 (bass) - white key top previously replaced/ slightly different shade
Tuning pins: approx. 80% torque (good)/ tuning stability around 6 months.
Mechanism & pedals: fully restored and in excellent working order.
Piano stool refurbished & re-upholstered - excellent condition
Please ask to see the workshop schedule notes for more details.
AA Piano Tuners UK takes great pride in our work and in the preservation of pianos.
Please note that all cabinet panels and parts have been refurbished to a high standard where stated, and some cabinet areas may reveal tiny 'inherent' marks due to age and patina - this is normal, and reflects in the price of the instrument. Following any inspection, we are welcome to upgrade or "fully restore" any other parts at the appropriate cost.
To avoid any disappointment, we always recommend that you view and inspect a piano prior to purchase; we also welcome any 3rd party piano tuner/ restorer to inspect the piano on your behalf. We will openly discuss in detail what has been restored, refurbished and repaired, and any parts not restored - showing their original condition.
Front panel, lower left - small mark in wood
Two small vertical scratches to rear of fallboard section - blended with polish.
Few small scratches on top lid & sides/ rear of fallboard.
Piano key D16 (bass) - white key top previously replaced/ slightly different shade
Tuning pins: approx. 80% torque (good)/ tuning stability around 6 months.
Mechanism & pedals: fully restored and in excellent working order.
Piano stool refurbished & re-upholstered - excellent condition
Please ask to see the workshop schedule notes for more details.
AA Piano Tuners UK takes great pride in our work and in the preservation of pianos.
Please note that all cabinet panels and parts have been refurbished to a high standard where stated, and some cabinet areas may reveal tiny 'inherent' marks due to age and patina - this is normal, and reflects in the price of the instrument. Following any inspection, we are welcome to upgrade or "fully restore" any other parts at the appropriate cost.
To avoid any disappointment, we always recommend that you view and inspect a piano prior to purchase; we also welcome any 3rd party piano tuner/ restorer to inspect the piano on your behalf. We will openly discuss in detail what has been restored, refurbished and repaired, and any parts not restored - showing their original condition.
