LATEST UPDATE OF THIS PAGE: 2/9/04

Previous Projects

 

6'8" Hardman Grand #60924 Mahogany cabinet. Built in 1908. Rebuilt by Ray’s Piano Service, Winter 2002-2003   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—Clean, install new hammers, install new bridle tapes, install new damper pads,  tighten screws, replace additional defective parts, rebush keys as needed. Re-install loose and missing ivory keytops. Grind keytops smooth to front edges. Complete Regulation—Install new underkey punchings. Make adjustments to ensure that piano plays like new: key height, key levelling, hammer blow distance, letoff, drop, sustain, sostenuto. Tune to A-440   SCHEDULE: Signed Service Agreement : September 2002 Picked up from Seattle: September 2002 Restoration completed: November 2002 Delivered to Clinton, WA: February 2003

 

1908 Hardman Grand -- "After" picture:

 

Pictures of the improvement process taken in our shop:

1 – We dismantled the action.	2 – We placed the dampers in order in our damper storage rack.
3 – We cleaned and polished the keys. We smoothed the front edges of a few chipped keys and replaced several missing keys.	4 – We installed new underkey punchings and key cloth on the keyframe.
5 – We installed new knuckles.	6 – We unbolted the plate and placed it on blocks above the soundboard.
7 – After lifting it out of the piano with our ceiling-mounted winch, we cleaned the plate.	8 – We cleaned and polished the plate bolts and stored them in order.
9 – We refinished the plate with gold enamel that had a "hammered" effect.	10 – We placed a heater under the soundboard and covered it with blankets, in order to dry the board and increase the width of its several cracks.
11 – We installed wood shim in the cracks and scraped the original varnish off.	12 – After sanding the soundboard, we refinished it with spar urethane and installed a soundboard decal under the final coat of finish.
13 – We re-installed the plate and we installed new understring felt.	14 – We installed new strings and pins.
15 – We installed new hammers. Using special regulating guides on our glass regulating table, we regulated hammer blow distance, letoff and drop.	16 – After cleaning them, we re-installed the dampers and completed the regulation process.
17 – Before delivery, we tuned the piano several times to ensure tuning stability. Since the finish was quite acceptable, we did not refinish the piano. This fine, solid, Hardman Grand will give the owner in Clinton, WA, many years of musical pleasure!