Steinway piano RESTORATION

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.