Repairing/ Refurbishing

Pianos are mechanical in nature, with many moving parts. To sound and play their best, they need to be maintained, adjusted, and occasionally repaired.

Under certain conditions, any part of a piano can require attention including hammers, keys, dampers,(and many other action parts), strings, bridges, and soundboard. A piano may even need “action regulation”.

• Hammers

Like tires, hammers will get worn and your piano’s tone suffers. If not too badly worn they can be reshaped (re-rounded), otherwise replacement with a new set should be considered. Hammers need also on occasion what we call “Voicing”, which is changing the hardness of the hammer’s felt for better tone.

• Keys

Keytops – Ivories can be repaired or replaced with plastic if too many are broken or chipped. Key Rebushing- Have you ever played a well-used piano where the keys feel sloppy loose? We can fix that. Ask us.

• Strings

A broken string is an obvious problem and can be a simple repair. Or a cherished older instrument may deserve an entire new set of strings.

• Bridges

Strings are connected to the soundboard by the bridges and held tight to them by small pins. The strings exert pressure on these pins which can lead to cracking of the bridge and a necessary repair.

• Soundboard

Made of solid spruce (usually), a soundboard, especially with our dry winters, is susceptible to cracking. This is by no means the end of your piano. What often happens, however, is the supporting ribs glued to the soundboard will pull away on either side of this crack. These should be re-glued or tone will be lost. Humidity control is a topic for another good discussion.

• Action Regulation

Remember how responsive your new piano was when you first brought it home? All machines need maintenance. A piano’s action is a machine made of wood, felt, leather, metal and sometimes plastic. When properly adjusted, all parts work together efficiently to give the player a feeling of excellent response and evenness of play.

Pump organs have their own list of problems that need attention.

You want the best for your piano. So do we! Call Heritage Piano in Edmonton at 780-450-5677.

Refinishing:

Many older pianos (and pump organs) are fine instruments with great sentimental value. However, over many decades, an instrument’s appearance will deteriorate. The finish will be faded, scratched, dried out and possibly water-damaged. The keys may be yellowed and chipped (see Refurbishing). Metal hinges and locks have dulled and pedals are worn and need replating.

Have your piano or pump organ refinished to its original color or even have the color changed. Our refinishing process includes more than just a beautiful satiny smooth case. Pedals get replated, hinges and locks are polished. The piano name decal, all rubber bumpers and decorative felt (above keys, around pedals, etc.) are all replaced. Attention to detail makes the difference.

Your piano or organ can be beautiful again. You want the best for your instrument. So do we! Call Heritage Piano in Edmonton at 780-450-5677

Restoration

To most customers, Restoration means, do the Repairs, Refurbish the insides, and Refinish the outside. They would like their piano to play well, sound good and look beautiful.

Not all older pianos, however, are good candidates for complete restoration. If a piano has serious structural problems or an action in very poor shape, clients will be discouraged from getting this kind of work done. If they love older pianos, they can be helped to find one more worthy.

When we restore an instrument, we want the best for you. Call Heritage Piano in Edmonton at 780-450-5677.