Piano refinishing and rebuilding in NJ
Our facility is located on-site in Hackettstown, NJ. Every piano we refinish, rebuild, or recondition is a reflection of our commitment to quality.
Piano restoration is a very broad term that can refer to:
- Minor Repairs: Cleaning, tightening and lubricating
- Full Refinishing: Stripping down to bare wood and starting over
- Partial Refinishing: Over the existing finish
- Rebuilding: Replacing the soundboard, strings, and pinblock
- Reconditioning: Working with the original parts
Fine piano restoration, like fine piano building, is 1000 things in a row, done right. It is detail-oriented, often tedious, but the satisfaction received from it makes it worthwhile. Our shop team is an inspired and inspiring group of people. The apprentices, refinishers, rebuilders, and tuners all have their special roles to play in the restoration process.
Customers often visit our shop to participate in selecting a stain color for their piano or just to see firsthand what we do.
Piano Refinishing Options
Open Pore Finish, Satin or Gloss
The piano is stripped down to bare wood. It is sanded, stained, sealed and topcoated with six coats of either satin or gloss lacquer.
The important thing to remember about this finish is that pores of the wood show.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 4’7″ – 5’10” | $9000 |
| 5’11” – 6’10” | $9500 |
| 6’11” – 9′ | $10,200 |
| Verticals to 48″ | $6800 |
| Verticals over 50″ | $7400 |
Closed Pore Finish
High Gloss
The piano is stripped down to bare wood. It is then sanded, pore filled, stained, sealed and topcoated with twelve coats of gloss lacquer. The finish is then sanded with 1000 grit sandpaper. It is then rubbed, first with course, then medium, then fine compound.
The important thing to remember about this finish is that the pores of the wood do not show. The finish has a look of depth. It is a much richer look than an open pore finish and is approximately double the cost of an open pore finish.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| All size grands | $2500 per linear ft |
| All size uprights | $2400 per linear ft |
Satin
The same procedure as a high gloss finish is used, however, the final compounding steps are replaced with a two-step process of rubbing with steel wool and burnishing with a cotton pad. The cost of this finish is approximately two-thirds the cost of high gloss.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| All size grands | $2300 per linear ft |
| All size uprights | $2100 per linear ft |
Piano Case Restoration
In this process, we refinish over the existing finish. We first clean and fine sand all the surfaces. Next, we fill in major dents and touch up the scratches. We then seal in our touch-ups with a tinted lacquer. Over this tinted lacquer we apply our final topcoats of clear lacquer. Finally, we rub out the entire surface with steel wool and burnish with a cotton pad.
The important thing to remember about this finish is that the final look is not one of perfection. With some pianos, a major improvement is seen and with others, only a minor improvement is seen. We always discuss this job in detail with the customer while we are looking at the piano. Depending on the customer’s expectations and the condition of the existing finish, we will make appropriate recommendations.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 4’7″ – 5’10” | $5300 |
| 5’11” – 6’10” | $5800 |
| 6’11” – 9′ | $6700 |
| Verticals to 48″ | $3200 |
| Verticals over 50″ | $3500 |
Piano Rebuilding Options
Piano Soundboard
The piano soundboard is the large, solid plank of wood (usually spruce in quality instruments) that is used to enhance its resonance and tone. The soundboard is found below the strings in a grand piano (or any horizontal keyboard instrument), and behind them in an upright.
Rebuild with new soundboard
The soundboard is replaced with a new one. A new pinblock is installed, new strings are installed, and new dampers felts are installed.
Rebuild with original soundboard
The original soundboard is dried, cracks are shimmed, board is refinished, new pinblock is installed, and new damper felts are installed.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Rebuild with new soundboard | $12900 |
| Rebuild with original soundboard | $9200 |
Piano Action Options
Action options are quite varied and a visual inspection is usually needed in order to make the appropriate recommendations.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| New hammers shanks and repetitions | $7900 |
| New hammers and shanks only | $4400 |
| Regulate with original parts | $3400 |
Piano Restoration Testimonials
Rutgers University has had numerous pianos rebuilt, refinished, stored and moved by Vienna Piano. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality is greatly appreciated.
I am so pleased with the restoration you and your staff did on my Winter piano which went through Superstorm Sandy with severe damage. Everyone who has seen it is amazed at the results! Thank you so much for your expert repair, both to the cabinet and to the mechanics of the piano. It is the centerpiece of our living room again!
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