Upright Piano Restoration

We are happy to offer Upright Piano Restoration & Refurbishment

We offer custom upright piano finishes, from white to black and Gloss to Matte.

Our finishes are guaranteed for 5 years.

Upright Piano Restoration Services

Preserving Upright Piano Excellence Through Master Craftsmanship

At Piano Artisans, we recognize that vintage and antique upright pianos represent some of the finest instruments ever crafted. Under the expert guidance of Brian and our restoration team, we transform tired uprights into performance-grade instruments that rival—and often surpass—anything available in today’s market.

“Our 1927 Mason & Hamlin upright had been in my family for three generations, but it had become unplayable. Piano Artisans’ restoration was nothing short of miraculous. Brian’s refinishing work revealed the stunning figured walnut beneath decades of neglect, and John’s action work transformed the touch completely. The piano now sounds richer and plays more responsively than I ever imagined possible. It’s become the centerpiece of our living room and a conversation piece for every visitor.”

— Patricia K., Pasadena, CA

The Truth About Vintage Uprights

Most people dramatically underestimate the quality and performance capabilities of vintage upright pianos. The reality is that a properly restored upright from the late 1800s through the mid-1960s will outperform the vast majority of new pianos available today—instruments that often cost $25,000 or more.

Why Vintage Uprights Excel:

The construction quality of these instruments is simply unmatched in modern manufacturing:

Solid Quarter-Sawn American Oak Cases – Entire cabinet built from premium hardwood, not particle board or veneered plywood
5-7 Ply Hard Rock Maple Pinblocks – Superior tuning stability compared to laminated modern alternatives
Bell Metal Plate Castings – Traditional steel, copper, and brass alloy mixture providing superior tonal characteristics
Rebuildable Actions – Quality components that can be restored to exceed original factory specifications
Premium Veneers – American Oak, American Walnut, Honduran Mahogany, Brazilian Rosewood, and other rare woods now unavailable
Upright Soundboard Advantage – Gravity works with the soundboard rather than against it, contributing to exceptional longevity

The result: a fully restored vintage upright can look, sound, and play like new while lasting for centuries.

Our Restoration Process

Striving to the best at what we do.

We approach each upright restoration systematically, ensuring both aesthetic beauty and mechanical excellence:

Cabinet Restoration:

Complete disassembly and documentation
Veneer repair or replacement using period-appropriate materials
Structural reinforcement of case joints and components
Complete refinishing in your choice of finish (satin, semi-gloss, or high-luster)
Hardware restoration: nickel plating, brass polishing, or replacement

Mechanical Restoration:

Complete action removal and assessment
Hammer replacement or reshaping and voicing
Damper system restoration or replacement
Key bushing replacement for smooth, quiet operation
Regulation to manufacturer’s specifications (or better)
Pedal mechanism restoration

Tonal Restoration:

Soundboard assessment and restoration (crack repair, shimming, varnish coating)
Bridge repair and re-capping when necessary
Complete restringing with premium piano wire
Precision tuning and voicing

Restoration Levels

We offer three restoration levels to match your piano’s needs and your goals:

Heritage Series – Comprehensive mechanical restoration with refinishing, suitable for family heirlooms and performance instruments

Heirloom Series – Complete museum-quality restoration including full restringing, action rebuilding, and show-quality refinishing

Custom Restoration – Tailored to your specific requirements and historical preservation goals

Piano Restoration Pricing Guide

Click on the link below ⇓ to find out more about our Piano Restoration Pricing.

Grand Piano & Upright Piano Restoration Costs

Common Brands We Restore

Common American Upright Brands We Restore:

A.B. Chase, Baldwin, Cable Nelson, Chickering, Conover, Emerson, Everett, Fischer, George Steck, Haines Brothers, Hallet & Davis, Ivers & Pond, Jesse French, Kimball, Knabe, Kranich & Bach, Marshall & Wendell, Mason & Hamlin, Mehlin & Sons, Schiller, Schubert, Sohmer, Starr, Steinway & Sons, Story & Clark, Vose & Sons, Weber, Winter, Wurlitzer

Common European Upright Brands We Restore:

Bechstein (German), Blüthner (German), Bösendorfer (Austrian), Broadwood (English), Challen (English), Chappell (English), Collard & Collard (English), Érard (French), Förster (German), Grotrian (German), Pleyel (French), Sauter (German), Schimmel (German), Seiler (German)