Scroll down to see the piano restoration process!

ABOUT THIS PIANO: Player pianos like this one were once common in homes throughout the United States. In fact, long before the radio or phonograph, it was the player piano that introduced music to society on a large scale. Prior to the introduction of the player piano, the only way our ancestors knew the melody of a song was to learn it from a friend of family member, hear it played live on an instrument or by an ensemble, or to read it on a piece of printed music! It really is incredible to consider how important the player piano was to our ancestor’s culture and society when you think about it.

This beautiful Autopiano player piano has managed to remain in the same family for a several decades. Unfortunately, a poor attempt at restoration was undertaken several years ago, ultimately causing more harm than good. When we received the piano, the color was badly faded and the interior mechanism was completely inoperable. As you can see in the completed photos and videos, the piano was lovingly restored to like-new condition, inside and out, and once again sounds just like it did when it was built in 1910!

Scroll down to see the piano restoration process!

Piano Restoration Process:

Assessment & Disassembly

An amateur attempt at restoration many years ago ultimately did more harm than good.  When the piano arrived in our shop for restoration, the keytops were falling off and the finish was badly faded, dry and cracking.  Note the original gold "AUTOPIANO" name decal was replaced with mailbox block letters from a local hardware store!

Piano Restoration Process:

Cabinet Repair & Refinishing

The dry, faded finish is removed and the Honduran Mahogany wood underneath is carefully repaired and sanded.  Multiple coats of stain, sealer and lacquer are applied, giving this piano the deep, rich mahogany color it would have had when it was new.

Piano Restoration Process:

Soundboard Repair & Re-Stringing

The rusty, brittle old strings are removed from the piano.  The harp is removed and the soundboard is restored and refinished.  The bridges are repaired and the piano gets a new pin block.  The harp is re-guilded with gold lacquer and the new strings are installed.

Piano Restoration Process:

Action & Keyboard Restoration

A previous amateur attempt at restoration installed the wrong size keys and felts, and used the wrong adhesives.  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

The restoration and new finish were done with a historical perspective in mind.   Note the beautiful gold script "AUTOPIANO" name has been replaced with incredible accuracy to match the original decal.  The beauty of the imported Honduran Mahogany woodgrain shines through once again!