1893 Emerson Upright Piano

BEFORE

The piano arrived in the shop with decades of wear. The exterior finish was dark and faded, and the case was damaged in several places. Pedals and hinges were tarnished. The soundboard had several cracks and the action was worn out.

AFTER

The piano was restored to like-new condition inside and out. The soundboard and action were restored with historical accuracy.

Scroll down to see the piano restoration process!

About This Piano: This beautiful piano was built by The Emerson Piano Company of Boston in 1892. Emerson was one of Boston's oldest and most successful piano companies with a reputation of building high-quality, expensive instruments. Emerson was a pioneer in the evolution of piano manufacturing, and the firm held a number of unique design patents. One of Emerson's more unique approaches to manufacturing was their technique of creating their remarkable "enhanced finishes". These finishes were achieved by artistically faux-graining elaborate wood grain patterns over ordinary wood in order to make them look more exotic and expensive than standard finishes. This method of "enhanced finishes" was so realistic and believable that even the most discerning eye could not determine the difference! This method of "enhanced finishes" is an art form in the truest sense, and The Antique Piano Shop is one of the only places in the industry able to recreate this process with true historical accuracy.

Scroll down to see the piano restoration process!

Piano Restoration Process:

Assessment & Disassembly

The piano is carefully disassembled and every individual piece is carefully recorded and labeled. All hardware and screws are removed, and the action and keyboard are removed and disassembled. Our crew assesses the instrument to see which parts and pieces will need to be custom made in-house for the instrument.

Piano Restoration Process:

Cabinet Repair & Refinishing

The old, faded finish is removed. Our crew fixes any damage caused by years of use and wear and tear. Broken and missing pieces are repaired and replaced. The instrument then receives multiple coats of stain and sealer. Each coach is painstakingly sanded smooth for luster and clarity. The Kimball decal is replaced above the keyboard with historical accuracy during the refinishing process.

Piano Restoration Process:

Soundboard Repair & Re-Stringing

The brittle, old strings are removed from the piano. The harp is removed, the soundboard is restored and refinished, and the bridges are repaired. The harp is re-gilded with gold lacquer and the new strings are installed.

Piano Restoration Process:

Action & Keyboard Restoration

All distinctive features of the action’s geometry are noted before work begins to allow for accurate and historically correct rebuilding.

The keys are re-bushed and new keytops are installed. The old worn felt and leather is replaced, and new hammers, shanks and flanges are installed. The rest of the piano action is rebuilt so that the instrument performs like new again.

PHOTOS OF PIANO

AFTER COMPLETE RESTORATION

After a total restoration, the piano looks, functions, and sounds like it did when the piano was factory new.

SEE AND HEAR THE FULLY RESTORED PIANO!

Learn more about restoring your heirloom instrument!

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Antique Piano Shop, Inc.,
1158 Lane Drive,
Friendsville, TN 37737

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