Restored on Contract

4'8" Wurlitzer Grand #33630

Mahogany (previously ebonized), Built in 1918. Restored by Ray's Piano Service, Spring 2004. Our client requested the color of the original mahogany veneer, so we stripped off the black lacquer and thoroughly sanded the mahogany surface.

IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED:

Recondition—Complete cleaning, install new bass pins, install new hammers, tighten action screws, replace defective parts.

Regulate—all adjustments to ensure that piano plays like new, tune to A-440.

Refinish--Repair veneer as needed, strip and sand cabinet & bench.  Apply stain and lacquer. Install new rubber buttons and fallboard decal. Lubricate pedal mechanisms.
SCHEDULE: We picked up the piano on June 3, 2004, and we began restoration work the end of June 2004. We completed the project early August, 2004 and delivered the piano to the owners on August 21, 2004.

"Before" picture of 1918 Wurlitzer Grand:

"After" picture of 1918 Wurlitzer Grand, taken after delivery to the owner's family room:

1918 Wurlitzer Grand:
Pictures of the Improvement Process
taken in our shop:

1 – "Before" - From the right. Before dismantling, we completed several cabinet repairs. We made and installed new lyre props, we installed new dowel reinforcement in the back leg, and we found new bolts to fasten the legs and lyre securely to the cabinet.

2 – We placed the piano on our "grand transporter" for easy moving in our shop during refinishing, removed the legs, led, lyre, and all the metal parts. We marked all the parts removed for easy identification when the piano is reassembled.

3 – We dismantled the bench, and we repaired the middle support bar. All the panels and wood parts of this piano will be sent to a colleague for stripping.

4 – We removed the action from the piano for reconditioning. Several hammers are being sent as samples to the piano supply house so a new order of matching hammers can be made.

5 – We removed the dampers and placed them in our storage rack. We removed the sustain mechanism for cleaning.

6 – We removed the bass pins and lifted the bass strings for cleaning. With the strings up, we had access to the bridges and soundboard for cleaning.

7 – We repinned the bass section with larger-size pins with sufficient torque to hold pitch.

8 – We levelled and squared the keys, then regulated key height and dip.

9 – After stripping and a first sanding, we applied filler to the veneer surfaces in order to fill the grain.

10 – We installed new hammers. This will give the piano's tone more richness and depth.

11 – Because of extensive previous damage, we reveneered the top panel near the strings.

12 – After installing the new hammers, we conducted a complete series of "regulation" adjustments to ensure correct touch.

13 – After we applied walnut stain and the first coat of lacquer the grain pattern of the mahogany veneer became quite apparent.

14 – The grain pattern on the sides of the piano also came out beautiful!

15 – After a few coats of lacquer, the cabinet gets a beautiful "finished" look.

16 – Lacquer also really improved the appearance of the lid!

17 – The legs also now look like new!

18 – We re-installed the dampers.

19 – We reassembled the music rest.

20 – We reassembled the fall board.

21 – We took this "after" picture in the owner's family room.

22 – The official "Wurlitzer" decal looks beautiful.