Reconditioning or Rebuilding your Piano in Seattle
A piano isn't just a piece of the art of music, it is a masterpiece in itself. The machine is, to a great degree, complex and has a large number of moving parts. The piano is additionally one of only a handful of instruments out there that has stood the test of time. It has a gorgeous framework and a soundboard supporting string tension, all concealed by gorgeous finished cabinetry. The piano isn't as delicate as different instruments, however it is subject to weakening over time. The felt wears, strings break, wooden structures weaken and split, and the exterior loses its finish. Given that a piano can mean a great deal to a family, these circumstances will lead the owner to question what to do next. Their well-loved piano is in need of some TLC to bring it back to its original glory! When discussuing how to restore a piano, our piano technicians at Artisan Piano Services usually refer to two terms: reconditioning and rebuilding.
Reconditioning Pianos in Seattle
Reconditioning a piano is a much less obtrusive service and is much easier than Rebuilding a piano. Reconditioning includes cleaning, adjusting, repairing and replacing worn parts. This service focuses on only the damaged or worn areas.
Rebuilding Pianos in Seattle
Reconditioning usually includes a complete disassemble of the piano — repairing parts that need to be repaired, including the replacement of any parts that show signs of being worn, damaged or deterioration. Rebuilding focuses on the whole structure, including the soundboard, bridge, pinblock, and strings, and in addition the action, ivory keys, and case restoring. Rebuilding involves a complete facelift for the piano, totally converting it to its original state, or better!
Do you need to recondition or rebuild your piano?
Most pianos can go years without needing to be reconditioned or repaired, although the quality of the tone, touch, and outer appearance of the piano will continue to decline with age. This can be really agitating to someone trying to learn the piano, as the sound may not be at its best. But ultimately, when regular maintenance that you perform on your piano (such as cleaning, regulating voicing, and tuning) can no longer provide a satisfactory performance, then it might be time for your piano to be reconditioned or rebuilt. Now, whether your piano is in need of a little reconditioning or a total overhaul or rebuilding depends on its original quality, its surrounding climate, and its usage and performance requirements. One piano may need rebuilding after 20 years of use, but another may last over 50 years. Maybe the most important factor to some will be whether or not the piano has sentimental and personal value. If the instrument has historical value, this can be a key factor in deciding whether a piano should be rebuilt or repaired.