LATEST UPDATE OF THIS PAGE: 2/9/04

Previous Projects

 

4'10" Behr Grand #37469

Mahogany cabinet. Built in 1919. Rebuilt and refinished by Ray’s Piano Service, Spring 2003
 

IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED:

Rebuild—Dismantle. Remove strings, pins, plate. Repair and refinish sound board and bridges. Re-install plate. Install new strings and pins. Rebuild pedal mechanisms.

Recondition action—Clean, install new hammers, install new bridle tapes, install new damper pads,  tighten screws, replace additional defective parts, rebush keys as needed.

Complete Regulation—All adjustments to ensure that piano plays like new, tune to A-440

Refinish Cabinet—Repair veneer as needed. Strip and sand cabinet and all panels. Apply stain and lacquer. Install new decorative cloth on music rest. Install new rubber buttons. Clean and polish all metal parts. Reassemble.

SCHEDULE:

Signed Service Agreement : February 2003

Picked up: March 2003

Restoration completed: June 2003

Delivered: June 2003


1919 Behr Grand - "After" picture:

 

1919 Behr Grand - "Before" picture:

 

Pictures of the improvement process
taken in our shop:

1 – We removed the action and dampers.

2 – We removed the bass strings and sent them to the string-maker for duplication.

3 – We removed the tuning pins.

4 – We removed the plate bolts.

5 – We lifted the plate out of the piano case using our ceiling-mounted winch.

 

6 – We scraped the original finish off the sound board and the bridges.

 

7 – We cleaned the plate.

8 – We refinished the plate using the same process used by auto-body shops.

9 – We refinished the sound board and bridges with spar urethane.

10 – After polishing the plate bolts, we re-installed the plate and we installed understring felts.

11 – We restrung and repinned the piano.

12 – We cleaned the keyframe and installed new key cloth and underkey punchings.

13 – We cleaned and buffed the ivory keytops.

14 – Using weights at the backs of the keys, we regulated key height and key leveling.

15 – Using special regulating guides on our glass regulating table, we regulated hammer blow distance, letoff and drop.

16 – After stripping and sanding all veneered parts, we applied stain and sealer.

17 – We reassembled the piano.

 

18 – The piano will require several tunings in the next couple of weeks before tuning stability is achieved with the new strings.

19 – We installed a new fallboard decal under the final coat of finish.

 

20 – We kept the piano in our shop for two weeks before delivering, to ensure that tuning stability had been achieved and that lacquer was dry. The owners were pleased with the result. They now have a rebuilt piano that will give them musical enjoyment for another generation!