Central Michigan Pianos- A tradition in rebuilding quality

Restoration Shop Tour

Call Alex @ 800-671-2055  or e mail alex@cmpiano.com

Since 1984, Central Michigan Pianos has been restoring fine quality instruments for individuals, schools, churches and civic organizations.

We have a very simple mission statement in restoring pianos:
Restore the instrument to it's original beauty of appearance, tone, and touch without sacrificing the integrity of the original craftsmanship.
Many of the older pianos such as Steinway & Sons, Mason & Hamlin, Baldwin, Chickering, Knabe, Bechstein, Schiedmayer, Bösendorfer, and others were built with such quality that the life span of such instruments is sometimes as long as 50-80 years before needing restoration. After restoration and with proper care, these same pianos will last another 50-80 years. We stress the word proper because it is of the utmost importance that the same quality materials and workmanship that originally went into the piano must go into the same instrument when it is restored to achieve this longevity.

Thankfully, these materials are available through firms such as Steinway & Sons, Louis Renner of Stuttgart, Germany for action parts, Pianotek of Michigan for various supplies including Andre Bolduc sound boards, ribs, pin blocks, Klinke Diamond tuning pins, Charles House felts, Ronson hammers, Abel Hammers, and many other materials of the highest quality. Mohawk Finishes of New York provide excellent lacquers, varnishes, stains and other refinishing supplies to ensure the restorer will obtain professional results. Mapes String Co. provide the rebuilder with some of the world's best music wire. All of the above supplies, coupled with high quality workmanship and a love for the art of piano restoration combine to make a beautifully restored piano that will provide years of joy and fulfillment. The following pictures and text are a brief tour through Central Michigan Pianos' restoration shop.
Breaking down a piano prior to rebuilding

<Breaking down the piano. Every part is carefully catalogued for proper ordering of new parts and re-assembling the piano later.
Stripping the finish

<Stripping the old finish. We hand strip every piano to ensure minimal damage to case parts.
Hand sanding parts to ensure quality

<Hand sanding the piano parts. After stripping the piano, careful hand sanding and repairs of the parts ensures a good foundation for applying the new finish.
Tim polishing ivories

<Polishing the ivories. If possible, we always save and restore the original ivory. The value of any piano is enhanced by genuine ivory keys.
Aaron spraying case parts

<Aaron Newhall spraying a Baldwin L. Only high quality Mohawk nitro cellulose lacquer is used on our hand rubbed pianos.

Central Michigan Pianos takes great care in properly drilling the new pinblock so that tuning stability and ease of tuning is combined in a perfect balance. We use our own handcrafted Qm7 ply maple pinblock in all of our pianos.
Gluing a soundboard

<Gluing up the Sitka spruce for the soundboard. Consistent, even pressure is applied by using the clamping system
Planing Soundboard

<Using a German block plane to hand plane the Sitka spruce soundboard.
The finished soundboard

<Baldwin L Soundboard, prepared for rib installation.

<New ribs glued to handcrafted Sitka spruce sound board.
New pinblock

<The new pinblock glued and doweled into the case as original Steinways are manufactured. This careful attention to maintaining the original integrity of the instrument makes for a more perfect finished product.

<Aaron Newhall notching new bridge pins in a Baldwin L bridge. Careful attention to detail in the bridge restoration insures good tone.
New soundboard glued in

<Gluing in new sound board. We use high quality German made Bessey clamps.
Rubbing out the piano case

<Rubbing out the piano case. In order to achieve the highest quality possible with the piano finish, much rigorous sanding and scuffing is often necessary after the lacquer has been applied. In this photo, the case is being hand rubbed in smooth, straight motions with steel wool.
Soundboard glued in

<Trimming out the soundboard. After the soundboard has been glued in and varnished, the molding is securely glued to the rim using German Bessey clamps.
Setting the plate

<Setting the plate. Once the soundboard has been properly installed, the plate is then carefully lowered into position and tightly bolted in.
Restringing a piano

<Stringing the piano. We use only highest quality Mapes piano wire. Mapes sets the standard for the industry. When stringing, careful attention is given to the tightness of the coil on the pin so as to enhance tuning stability. Only Klinke Diamond tuning pins are used. The customer may choose original blued or nickled silver pins.
Re-bushing the piano keys

<Savanah Kapteyn is installing new key bushings on a Steinway A. The piano keys must be thoroughly cleaned before the new felts can be tediously replaced.
Installing the refinished dampers

<Installing the dampers. After the piano has been strung, it is now ready for the dampers and the final regulating process. The dampers are carefully re-installed in the action and screwed into place.
Lettering the plate

<Lettering of the plate or harp. The restoration process is not complete without the precise job of re-lettering the plate. In this photo, we are hand lettering the plate of a 1925 Steinway M.
Completed action and strings

<Once completely re-assembled, the inside of this 1929 Mason & Hamlin looks and plays like new again.
Regulating and tuning the piano before delivery

<Before the delivery of each restored piano, many hours of tuning and regulating are often necessary in acquiring the perfect touch and tone of the instrument.
The Result. Complete and installed in the customer's home

<The result. A beautiful instrument that has a lovely tone, looks like new, and will last another lifetime.

 

 

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