Expert Piano Restoration and Refinishing

This video, made by Grand American Piano in Moscow, Idaho, provides a brief history of the Golden Era of the American piano, followed by a detailed description of the piano-restoration process. In real-time and time-lapse segments, Clint Hughes (piano restoration expert and owner of Grand American Piano) demonstrates the important steps involved in disassembling, restoring, and reassembling a classic American piano made by the Kershner Piano Company. The video ends with a demonstration and explanation of the piano-tuning process.

Grand American Piano provides full and partial piano-restoration services, and sells classic pianos including contemporary grands, baby grands, uprights, and period-style instruments of the Louis XV, French Provincial, Spanish, and Victorian Era.

Contact Clint Hughes at 877-742-6677 to discuss your restoration project.

[sarbachpiano]

i aprececiate that you repair the soundboard. I see many restorers replacing a soundboard even with only a few cracks, instead of just repairing it. An original soundbaourd form the golden times of piano building is worth of being taken care of.

[chopsjazz]

As a fellow piano restorer I took a "busman's holiday" and watched from beginning to end. Yep, lots of work. And the part about the finish work of the piano being at the top of the range of furniture finishes is spot on.

[SunnyGale]

What a beautiful thing to learn about! I’m so glad that people are still playing The Great Piano!

[garyhawkins-piano-teacher]

What an amazing video. As a professional pianist. I happen to consider the skill, dedication and patience of piano restoration is equal to that of learning a new piano concerto !

[georgequalls]

Did this in my dad’s shop. Have many memories of working on grands and uprights.

[DanielFoucachonfoucachon]

Diamonds in the rough! Love the Golden Era pianos!

[milesalleven]

This is my favorite video on the internet.

[davidpostma]

You should explain about loss of crown to the soundboard and the need to replace them with original crown. Also recapping old bridges. This to bring to original beauty

[superpeluso]

I remember when I used to restore pianos in the Mexican border because labor was cheaper when I was 16 and man those Steinway pianos was something else!!! They were some how proud fully to restore! Long time ago... I still got it by the way 🤔

[eddielozada]

Beautiful video. Lot of details were not explained but I guess it was for time issues. Thanks!!

[studentjohn]

(a) as far as cheap modern pianos, even the high end ones will fade. But even the most expensive Yamaha CFX or Shigeru Kawai has aluminum action rails, particle board in the lid, rubber bushings because they're cheaper than proper bushing cloth. Not a problem, though: when the piano wears out, just buy a new one. There's lots more where they came from. Meanwhile, Old Bechstein, Steinway, Bosendorfer (as well as pre 1928 Knabe grands) will come up magnificently with expert restoration. (b) In this video, you glossed over the action restoration part. Would have been nice to see just one repetition lever or one sostenuto tongue....

[justy]

I always wished I could do something like this.

[pamelag]

The Golden era pianos are truly a treasure but the common household does not have the excess funds required to restore them.

[itimchanly]

Where can i buy a cheap Steinway piano in poor condition for a restoration ?

[Cherfield-D-Blessedman]

Very good video. Just asking some help what type of key tops brand that is really good replacement, please?

[OEFEU]

Sitka spruce only came after Appalachian red spruce was felled without a sustainable forestry established. My 1886 Steinway is not Sitka and the bridges are capped with boxwood.

[luifi]

Cool!! Next time let us hear the piano! :)

[ashleybritney]

Where I can order gold Bronze powder for the plat color.thank you very much.

[AcheampongEugene-djmr]

Good one boss, please I want to learn how to restore the piano, please am in Ghana, please how can I contact you ?

[jessieabrudeanu]

What kind of starck is this? I think i have the same one, I’ve just known what to call it.