How much does it cost to restore a piano?

Question

...It is a very old 1800's wing and sons piano. concert brand.

Answer 1

I will assume this is an upright piano, since I have never seen a grand made by this company. Do you have the serial number? It should be a 4 or 5 digit number located somewhere around the tuning pins With the serial number we can zero in on the year of manufacture.



When someone comes into our shop and inquires about restoring an old upright piano the very first question I ask is " Do you have sentimental feelings for this piano?" In other words was it your first piano or did it belong to your grandmother? If you have sentimental feelings for the piano then it is well worth putting the money into it and having it fully restored and keeping it in your family for another 75 years.



If it is just a piano that your neighbor gave you when they were moving away, I would really think twice before putting any money into the piano. The reason is that generally the cost to fully restore these types of pianos exceeds the value of the piano when completed. It is very easy to put $5000 into restoration and when it is finished the market says it is only worth $3000.



When I was growing up you could buy these old uprights for practically nothing and have your piano tuner get it up and running for a few hundred dollars, but now more time has passed and they are even older and most are in need a complete restoration.



Beware, there are many who claim to be piano restorers but most of them only do the cosmetic touch up and never really get into the actual rebuilding.



Good Luck

Answer 2

Piano Restoration Cost

Answer 3

It depends on the condition of your piano and how long it's been since it was last regulated or repaired. For a piano like that you're going to need someone with a serious piano shop and lots of experience with older pianos. The factories that made parts for your piano don't exist anymore and many of the standards have changed which means your piano tech will have to search for replacement parts or build them himself, and then when it comes time to regulate the piano they need to know the specs for that piano which which can be slightly different than a more modern piano.

This could easily run up to 6000. You're money is probably better spent replacing it with a nicer piano.



If you're only interested in looks but not playing the instrument having the cabinet refinished and buffing the keys would only run a few hundred.

Answer 4

If it's an 1800s upright with a birdcage (over-damper) action, forget it. Action parts are impossible to find, so they have to be made one-off. Rescaling the instrument for a modern action isn't practical.



If it's a square grand, you probably won't find anyone who even wants to look at it (even if it were a Steinway) ... nothing good can come of that.



As Jack mentioned, unless the instrument has sentimental value to you or your family it is probably not worth the effort. If the instrument is in ideal condition needing minimal work (felts and strings and maybe keytops) you might consider it. Case refinishing is fairly cheap, but if there are intricate carvings or appliques the price goes up substantially. Especially if those are damaged, have to be filled and reworked or new carvings made.



Wing and Son is unique only because it was a catalog-only piano, you could not get them from any source other than the factory. And many of their uprights had five pedals. The two furthest left dropped "effects" between the hammers and strings: tack strip and a felt strip.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How much does it cost to restore a piano?

...It is a very old 1800's wing and sons piano. concert brand.

Answer 6

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/awDev



I paid $10,000 to restore the belly of my grand piano. The cost of an upright should be somewhat less, but probably more than the value of the piano.

Answer 7

ITS ABOUT $2000-4000 BRO. I PAYED $3400 WHEN WE WANT TO RESTORE THE OLD PIANO OF MY NIECE.