One size does not fit all because there are hundreds of steps in the piano restoration process and every piano is different. However there are specific processes that are predicable and expected in every case when a piano reaches around 40 or 50 years of age. About twenty years ago, for easy reading and comprehension on the Internet, I compiled a piano restoration overview which contained just 25 steps. These are the minimal steps that are predictable and routine in every case. After about 2000 pianos restored using our 25 step process as a guide, it is time-proven and a dependable approach to return older pianos to their proper condition. And it's offered at a flat rate! Please be assured that don't do things like reuse old tuning pins or damper felts and focus on restoring your piano as if it is going to our own home. There will surely be incidentals that are unique to your piano. For example, as I write this explanation, there is a piano leg on my workbench that I'm duplicating to match the originals. It turns out the the owner's dog chewed right through it except for a little sliver of wood maintaining minimal structural integrity. I don't even know how the piano didn't come crashing down in the home. Another example is that with some pianos, we are able to preserve the original ivory key covering and some need new key covering. Some pianos have nicks and gouges that are an inch or two and some are a foot or two long and deep. Or, perhaps the piano was dropped somewhere in its history and cracked the entire side. The good news is that when the pianos are totally stripped and sanded (in the nude), they all go through the same process. This means that there is not a lot of drama in our shop when we come across these unknowns and surprises. We simply fix it and not nickel and dime the customer. There are times when we take the 25 step restoration process to the next level. This is considered re-manufacturing and it's when we replace all of the components in the piano including the Soundboard, bridges, repetitions,under-levers and so on. This is extreme and is usually for concert pianos and high use performance instruments. It's also needed with some pianos that have caught fire or submerged in water. There are a few from recent Hurricane Sandy and even from Katrina that required the pianos to receive all new parts and everything replaced. It doubles or triples the price of restoration and is over-kill in some situations where this radical work is requested for the wrong reason. Perhaps a piano teacher, tuner, or something that a customer read on the Internet my have put the thought in the customers mind that extreme work is necessary. When that happens, I've learned that I can actually fabricate and install all new parts in a piano for a complete re-manufacture, compared to the amount of time and energy that it takes to convince a customer otherwise. At this point in my career I stick to working on my pianos and keep out of the debates and controversy. Frankly, I'm too busy doing what I love to do! About photos: Unless your piano looks worse than the before and after photo in this link, for your review from Michael Sweeney. I don't need to see pics of your piano. Although, it's nice to get a wide angle shot with the whole piano in the frame. I'll be able to determine the model and style piano. Most piano makers built anywhere from 6 to 12 cabinet styles and models.
Sincerely,
Michael Sweeney