Steinway Piano Restoration
steinway restoration
Expert Steinway Piano Restoration Services
Bradfield Piano has years of experience in Steinway piano restoration. Our team has expert technicians who have worked directly with Steinway & Sons, bringing decades of expertise to each project.
- 75 years combined experience
- 250+ pianos rebuilt
- Trusted by Grammy-award-winning artists, concert venues, TV personalities, and more
We have served different clients, including colleges, universities, private schools, Grammy award-winning artists, Van Cliburn competitors, Steinway Artists, and families across the United States. Our commitment to quality has earned us a reputation of being trusted piano experts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Our Process for
Rebuilding & Restoring a Steinway
When you choose Bradfield Piano, we make sure every step of the Steinway piano restoration process is transparent. Our goal is to educate you, so you can make informed decisions about your instrument.
Initial Consultation
During your consultation, we’ll discuss your piano’s history, your goals, and your budget. Our team will then create a detailed proposal outlining all necessary Steinway piano repairs and the costs involved.
Pick up and transport
After approving the estimate, we’ll arrange to safely transport your piano to our workshop. Our team will complete a thorough inspection to finalize the restoration plan.
Restoration Process
Steinway grand piano restoration involves carefully disassembling the piano, replacing worn-out parts, and restoring its soundboard, pin block, and strings.
Delivery & Follow-Up
Once the restoration is complete, we’ll deliver your Steinway piano with utmost care. We also provide a complimentary follow-up tuning to ensure your piano remains in excellent condition.
OUR EXPERIENCE WITH STEINWAYS
Bradfield Piano is renowned for expert Steinway restoration and Steinway piano repair services. Some of our employees have firsthand experience working directly with Steinway, and we are familiar with the German and American models. We handle:
- Steinway grand piano restoration: Including models such as S-155, M-170, O-180, A-188, B-211, C-227, and D-274.
- Steinway upright piano restoration: Including V-125 and K-132 models.
- Steinway piano refurbishing and Steinway piano maintenance: To keep your instrument in optimal condition.
Trusted by Renowned Clients
We’re proud to have worked for many prestigious clients. A few of our clients include:
- Eisemann Center Performance Hall
- Winspear Opera House
- Wyly Theatre
- Bass Performance Hall
- Artist Nora Jones
- Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
- The Bush Library
- WRR from One Arts Plaza
- SMU
- Heard-Craig Performance Hall
- Alex McDonald (Cliburn finalist)
- Mark Cuban
- Lucas Vondracek (Cliburn finalist)
- Ron Dank (Cliburn finalist)
- Composer Marvin Hamlisch
- Chanel 8 News Studio in Victory Park
- St. Marks School of Texas
- Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas
- and more!
Steinway Piano Maintenance & Parts Replacement
Maintaining the excellence of a Steinway requires more than just occasional tuning. Whether you need a full Steinway piano refurbishing, action rebuilding, or Steinway piano soundboard restoration, Bradfield Piano is here to ensure your instrument plays and sounds like new.
With extensive experience in Steinway piano overhaul and repair, we’ve worked with both professional musicians and piano enthusiasts alike. From German-built models to American-made Steinways, we provide comprehensive Steinway piano maintenance and restoration services across the country.
The Steinway Upright Piano Restoration Process
Steinway upright pianos also receive the same detailed care. Bradfield Piano’s team carefully assesses each instrument to provide the best possible Steinway upright piano restoration services, from soundboard repair to string replacement and pin block maintenance.
Comprehensive Steinway Piano Restoration
Restoring a Steinway involves meticulous care and expertise. With over 12,000 parts in a Steinway concert grand, it’s essential to work with specialists who understand these esteemed pianos’ intricate mechanics and construction. At Bradfield Piano, we excel in Steinway piano restoration, ensuring your instrument performs and looks its best.
Over time, the cabinet of a Steinway piano can suffer from wear, leading to dullness, cracks, or damage in its finish. Steinway piano refinishing involves restoring the exterior wood to its original beauty. This process includes carefully sanding down the existing finish, applying multiple coats of lacquer or other finishes, and polishing to bring out the natural wood grain and achieve a flawless appearance. At Bradfield Piano, we apply up to 20 coats of hand-sprayed lacquer, ensuring a high-quality finish that revitalizes the piano’s look while protecting it for years to come.
The action of a Steinway piano is the mechanism that connects the keys to the hammers, responsible for translating finger movements into sound. Over time, this mechanism can wear down, leading to issues like uneven touch or inconsistent sound. Action rebuilding involves replacing worn-out parts such as hammers, shanks, flanges, and bushings. Each key’s weight is balanced, and the overall action is adjusted to ensure smooth, responsive playability. This process restores the piano’s feel and allows the pianist to have greater control over dynamics and expression.
The pin block is a critical component of a Steinway piano, holding the tuning pins that maintain string tension. If the pin block deteriorates or loosens over time, it can cause tuning instability. Pinblock replacement involves removing the old pinblock and installing a new one that fits precisely the piano’s structure. This ensures the tuning pins hold the proper tension, keeping the piano in tune for longer periods. At Bradfield Piano, we use high-quality pinblocks to ensure your Steinway piano’s optimal performance.
The strings in a Steinway piano are fundamental to producing its signature tone. Over time, piano strings can stretch, corrode, or lose their vibrancy, affecting the sound quality. String replacement involves removing the old strings and installing new, high-quality strings that restore the piano’s full, rich sound. During this process, we also replace the tuning pins and, if necessary, the dampers and hammers, ensuring that the new strings interact perfectly with the other components for optimal tone and tuning stability.
The keys of a Steinway piano are central to its playability and feel. Over time, keytops can become worn, chipped, or discolored, while the underlying mechanisms may develop issues affecting touch sensitivity. Key restoration involves replacing or refurbishing the keytops, ensuring they look and feel smooth and responsive. For vintage pianos, we can preserve original ivory keytops when possible. In addition, key restoration includes adjusting or replacing worn-out internal parts to ensure proper weight distribution and touch sensitivity, so that every key responds accurately to the pianist’s touch.
The cast iron plate inside a Steinway piano is responsible for withstanding the immense tension of the strings. While it’s a structural element, the plate is also a visible part of the piano’s interior, especially in grand pianos. Over time, the bronze finishes on the cast iron plate can fade or oxidize. Cast iron plate re-bronzing restores the plate’s original luster through a meticulous cleaning and re-coating process. This not only enhances the piano’s visual appeal but also protects the plate from further oxidation. The re-bronzed plate adds to the overall beauty and historical accuracy of a restored Steinway.
Why Choose Bradfield Piano for Steinway Restoration?
Not every piano restorer has the expertise required for Steinway pianos. Bradfield Piano’s founder, Holt Bradfield Deniger, was trained at the Theodore Steinway Technical School in New York City. Our team has been directly mentored in Steinway piano restoration and repair, ensuring we use time-honored techniques. This commitment to quality and customer satisfaction sets us apart as the trusted choice for Steinway piano restoration.
Affordable Steinway Restoration with Guaranteed Perfection
At Bradfield Piano, we offer various levels of Steinway piano restoration to suit different needs and budgets. Here’s a simple breakdown of our service tiers:
- Basic Refurbishing
- What It Includes: This service focuses on essential maintenance tasks such as action and mechanism repairs, tuning, regulation, surface cleaning, and minor cabinet repairs.
- Purpose: Ideal for pianos that are generally in good condition but need minor improvements to function and look their best.
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Estimated Cost: The estimated price for services varies based on the level of care and amenities provided: $10,000 and below.
- Partial Restoration
- What It Includes: This involves more in-depth work, such as action rebuilding (replacing old parts like hammers and shanks), pin block replacement, string replacement, and key restoration.
- Purpose: Suitable for pianos that have moderate wear and tear affecting the ability to play and sound quality.
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Estimated Cost: The estimated price for services varies based on the level of care and amenities provided. Mid-range partial restoration typically falls between $10,000 – $25,000.
- Complete Restoration
- What It Includes: An entire change that may include soundboard repair or replacement, full action rebuilding, complete refinishing of the piano’s exterior, and careful tuning and voicing.
- Purpose: Designed for pianos that require extensive repairs to restore them to like-new condition, both in appearance and performance.
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Estimated Cost: The estimated price for services varies based on the level of care and amenities provided. For premium restoration with extensive features and personalized care, prices range from $25,000 – $60,000.
Each piano is unique, so we recommend scheduling a consultation to assess your instrument’s specific needs and provide an accurate estimate personalized to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to restore a Steinway piano?
The price to restore a Steinway piano depends on its condition, how much repair it needs, and the materials used.
Basic Refurbishing: $10,000 and below
Partial Restoration: $10,000 – 25,000
Complete Restoration (Full Rebuilding/Remanufacturing): $25,000 – 60,000
How long does a restoration take?
The time needed for piano restoration depends on its condition and required repairs. For an exact timeframe, it’s best to consult their team based on your piano’s specific needs.
Basic Refurbishing: 1 month or less
Partial Restoration: 1-2 months
Complete Restoration (Full Rebuilding/Remanufacturing): 4-6 months
What parts of a Steinway piano can be restored?
Restoration can refinishing the exterior cabinet, replacing the strings, repairing or replacing the soundboard, replacing the hammers, dampers, and other working parts, tuning the instrument, and adjusting it for the best sound.
Is it better to restore an old Steinway or buy a new one?
Restoring an old Steinway piano can be a good choice, especially if it has a special meaning or history. A well-repaired Steinway can be as good as a new one but is less than half the cost of a new Steinway. However, if you want a completely new piano with no past use, buying a new Steinway is the better option.
Can I customize my Steinway piano during restoration?
During the restoration of your Steinway, you can personalize various elements to make it truly unique. This includes selecting custom designs, choosing specific felt materials, and tailoring the sound to better match your personal preferences and playing style.
How can I maintain my Steinway piano after restoration?
To take care of your restored Steinway piano, keep it in a room with stable temperature and humidity. Tune it at least two times a year. Clean it carefully with a microfiber cloth and do not put it in direct sunlight or near water or damp places.
How do I know if my Steinway piano needs restoration?
If you notice your piano is difficult to control in pianissimo passages, tuning stability is questionable, or the piano is over 50 years old, it may need restoration. Contact a professional to evaluate what repairs are needed and how to restore it to its best condition.
Crafting Excellence in Steinway Restorations
Restoring an old Steinway piano can be a better choice than buying a new one for several reasons:
- Cost-Effectiveness:The cost of new Steinway pianos is rising by about 4 percent annually. A 50-year-old Steinway is worth more than double its original cost. Restoring an existing Steinway is more affordable and will provide the high-quality sound and craftsmanship these pianos are known for.
- Quality Craftsmanship:Older Steinway pianos were built with exceptional attention to detail. Restoring these instruments preserves their original craftsmanship, allowing you to enjoy the rich tones and superior playability that have made Steinway a respected name in pianos.
- Investment Value:Steinway pianos appreciate over time. Each new model causes the value of existing models to rise as well. By restoring an older Steinway, you’re preserving a piece of musical history and making a sound investment.
- Environmental Considerations:Restoring a piano is a sustainable choice. It reduces the demand for new materials and the energy required to produce a new instrument, making it an environmentally friendly option.
In summary, restoring an old Steinway piano offers financial savings, maintains high-quality craftsmanship, provides investment benefits, and supports environmental sustainability.
Building Trust Through Exceptional Craftsmanship
Bradfield Piano has long been the preferred choice for Steinway restoration, providing museum-quality craftsmanship that honors the legacy of these famous instruments. Our commitment to perfection has earned the respect of world-renowned musicians, institutions, and separating piano owners who expect nothing less than the best.
For every Steinway restoration we perform a precise process that combines time-honored techniques with modern accuracy to ensure that each piano preserves its unique voice and incomparable beauty. From soundboard replacement to fine action regulation, we maintain the highest standards to ensure your Steinway continues to perform at its best for future generations.
Join the many people who have trusted us with their precious instruments. See the art of restoration, where tradition meets innovation.
BRADFIELD PIANO
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