LATEST UPDATE OF THIS PAGE: 5/29/04

Previous Projects

 

54" D.S. Johnston Upright #8057 Oak cabinet. Built ca 1905. Restored by Ray’s Piano Service, Winter 2003-2004 A well-built, sturdy piano, excellent for use with piano lessons and practice by several family members. It was restored in preparation for shipment to Edmonton, Alberta--a gift to our daughter.   IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED: Rebuild—Dismantle. Remove strings, pins, plate. Repair bass bridge. Repair and refinish sound board and bridges. Re-install plate. Install new strings and pins. Rebuild pedal mechanisms. Recondition Action—Clean interior. Iinstall new hammers. Install new bridle tapes. Install new damper pads. Tighten screws. Replace additional defective parts. Rebush keys as needed. Complete Regulation—Install new underkey punchings. Make adjustments to ensure that piano plays like new: key height, key levelling, hammer blow distance, lost motion, letoff,  sustain, spoons. Tune to A-440 Other--Install new plastic keytops. Provide matching oak bench. SCHEDULE: Purchased and Picked up from Mt. Vernon, WA : August 2003 Improvements Completed: January, 2004. Delivered to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: May 29, 2004

 

1905 D.S. Johnston Upright -- "After" picture:

 

1905 D.S. Johnston Upright Pictures of the Improvement Process taken in our shop:

1 – After removing the action and the upper panels, we removed the wound bass strings. We sent the bass strings to the string-maker for duplication.	2 – We sent several hammers to the hammer manufacturer, to be used as samples in the preparation of a replacement set.
3 – With the piano on its back and all cabinet parts removed, we removed all original strings. Then we unbolted the plate and removed it from the piano, and we repaired and refinished the soundboard. Then we restrung the piano, installing new strings and pins.	4 – Since a large number of keytops were missing, we decided to remove the few original ivories and install a new set of plastic keytops.
5 – We sanded the surface of the keytops and cemented the new keytops in place. Then, using a router and special jigs, we ground the edges of the keytops to the proper sizes.	6 – We reconditioned the board holding the pedals and refinished it with a sealer coat.
7 – We reinstalled the pedal board.	8 – We reconditioned the action, installing new hammers and bridle tapes. Most other action parts were still in excellent shape.
9 – We cleaned the keybed and installed new underkey punchings and key cloth.	10 – We bolted the action in place, conducted a complete regulation, and tuned the piano.
11 – After reassembly, the piano looks like new because the new keytops. And it also plays like new again. It has a pleasant, deep tone, especially in the bass section.	12 – The new keytops have been spaced and levelled.
13 – The music rest has a beautifully inlaid cavrving of a victory torch and wreath.	14 – The legs are elegantly patterned in the shape of Roman columns.