LATEST UPDATE OF THIS PAGE: 6/27/04

Previous Projects

 

Restored by Ray's Piano Service

 

52" P.S. Wick Upright #15214

Dark Brown mahogany cabinet. Built in 1909. Reconditioned and Regulated by Ray’s Piano Service, March, 2004. A mid-size upright piano with a rich tone.
 

IMPROVEMENTS:

Repin Bass—Dismantle. Remove bass strings and pins, bottom board. Clean interior. Re-install bass strings using new pins.

Action reconditioned—Clean, reshape hammers, install new bridle tapes, tighten screws, replace additional defective parts.

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

New keytops—Install new plastic keytops.

SCHEDULE:

Picked up from Sedro Woolley, WA—March 3, 2004
Delivered to Sedro Woolley, WA—March 10, 2004

 

Restoration Budget: $950 plus pick-up and delivery, includes local delivery, tuning 6-8 weeks after delivery,1-year general guarantee on all improvements.

 

1911 P.S Wick Upright - "After" picture:

 

 

52" P.S. Wick Upright (1911)
Pictures of the Improvement Process
taken in our shop:

 

1 – We repaired a damaged corner of the bench.

2 – We placed the piano action on our workbench for reconditioning.

 

 

3 – We dismantled the piano, placed it on its back, and removed the bass strings and pins, tying them in order at one end. After cleaning the interior, we re-installed the bass strings with new, larger pins.

 

4 – We reglued several cracks in the "bottom board."

 


5 – We tightened all action screws, reshaped the hammers, installed new bridle tapes, and replaced several tight center pins.

 


6 – We cleaned the keybed and installed new keycloth and underkey punchings.

 


7 – We removed the old keytops, installed new plastic keytops, and shaped the new keytops to the keys.


8 – With the action and keys in place, we conducted several regulation adjustments: key height and leveling, capstans, letoff, dampers, spoons, and sustain pedal. Then we tuned the piano three times until stability was achieved in the bass section.

 


9 – We reassembled the piano, installing new rubber buttons where needed, and cleaned the cabinet.


10 – Close-up of keys and decal.

 

 


11 – This piano has an impressive decal under the lid.


12 – Decal in the corner of the lid. In 1911 this piano sold for $650: almost the cost of a Model T Ford.