Scroll down to see the piano restoration process!

About this piano:  This piano was built by the famous J & C Fischer Piano Company of New York in 1888.  This piano was originally sold as the “Style S”, the costliest and most elaborate upright piano in the Fischer product line. Original Fischer catalogs show this piano selling new for as much as $1,100 in 1888, the cost of a small house! Note the elaborately carved legs, moldings and pillars which give this piano a uniquely beautiful appearance.

When this piano came into our restoration shop, the interior was completely worn out and the instrument was virtually unusable.  Decades of harsh use and neglect had virtually destroyed the interior mechanisms which required the piano to undergo a full frame-off restoration.

Although this piano was originally done in a lighter mahogany finish, our client requested the piano be finished in a darker mahogany shade in order to match the décor of their Victorian home.  Our expert team of finishers were able to match the color and finish to a sample sent to us by our client, making the piano a perfect match for our client’s home.

Not only is the piano a beautiful piece of furniture, but the tone quality is extraordinary.  Because of its large size, this piano has exceptionally long strings and large soundboard area.  The strings and soundboard give it the power and volume one would expect from a full grand piano, a quality not found in small new upright pianos built today!

Scroll down to see the piano restoration process!

Piano Restoration Process:

Assessment & Disassembly

This Fischer piano came to us in neglected, unusable condition.  Here we see the piano being completely disassembled for a frame-off restoration.  All the parts are carefully sorted and labeled.  Note how the elaborate gold scripted "J & C FISCHER, NEW YORK" brand name labels are carefully documented and recorded so that they can be faithfully reproduced with historical accuracy!

Piano Restoration Process:

Cabinet Repair & Refinishing

The old finish is carefully removed, exposing the beautiful mahogany woodgrain underneath.  Broken and missing parts were repaired and made for the case, and the cabinet was carefully glued back together for structural integrity.  Many of the elaborate carvings are missing and/or broken, making restoration especially challenging.

Our client sent us a specific dark mahogany color (darker than the original finish would have been) so that the piano could be finished to match his interior decor.  The cabinet was stained and multiple coats of sealer and lacquer was applied, all done with careful and painstaking sanding between coats.  The end result gives the piano a deep rich luster and sheen that brings out the true beauty of the mahogany woodgrain.  Note the beautiful "J & C FISCHER, NEW YORK" name decal being reapplied along with the new finish!

Piano Restoration Process:

Soundboard Repair & Re-Stringing

The old worn strings are removed from the piano and the harp is removed from the case.  The original old-growth wood soundboard is restored despite excessive splitting and cracking.  The bridges are restored and the pin block is plugged and re-drilled for long-term tuning stability.  The harp is re-gilded with gold lacquer and new strings are installed in the piano.

Piano Restoration Process:

Action & Keyboard Restoration

Decades of abuse and neglect have caused the interior felts and leather to rot and deteriorate over time.  The old celluloid keys are cracked and chipped beyond repair so new faux-ivory is installed for long-term durability.  The piano action gets new hammers, shanks and flanges as well as new dampers.  The piano is regulated and tuned, finally ready for deliver to it's new home!

PHOTOS OF PIANO

AFTER COMPLETE RESTORATION

A professional frame-off restoration has brought this magnificent instrument back to factory-new condition, inside and out. Not only a stunning piece of furniture, this piano is again a fine quality instrument which will please the most discriminating pianist.