Piano Restoration and Rebuilding for Cleveland
Restoring pianos for Cleveland, OH
Cleveland is one of our closest out-of-state markets, a straight run down the lake shore from Buffalo, and we collect and deliver instruments there regularly.
Illos Piano Restorations specializes in the rebuilding and restoration of fine pianos for Cleveland owners, including Steinway, Baldwin, Mason & Hamlin and many others. At our own facility in Buffalo we perform restringing, pinblock and soundboard replacement, complete action rebuilds, hand stripping and refinishing in high-gloss polyester, satin lacquer or natural wood.
What we take on for Cleveland customers
Major repair work and full restorations only, carried out at our shop in Buffalo. Your piano has to come to us at 2940 Main St. We do not travel to Cleveland for tuning, regulation, small adjustments or other minor repairs, and we would rather say so plainly than sell you a long-distance callout. For that kind of work you want a good technician near you.
What does justify the journey is the work that takes months on a bench: a new pinblock, restringing, soundboard replacement, a complete action rebuild, or a full refinish. Getting the piano here is our problem, not yours. Where Cleveland is beyond the range of our own truck we facilitate the move with our partner piano movers and coordinate it end to end, so you deal with one company from the first phone call to the piano coming back through your door. Because the instrument is with us for months, transport ends up a small share of the total cost.
Working with northeast Ohio
The drive from our Main Street shop to Cleveland is about three hours on I-90, which makes northeast Ohio one of the easiest regions for us to serve. Pickup and delivery are straightforward, and we can usually collect an instrument without a long wait for a scheduled run.
Cleveland has a deep musical culture around the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a housing stock full of early twentieth century uprights and grands that were bought new by the families who built those neighbourhoods. Many of them are exactly the kind of well-made old world instrument that repays a full rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long would my piano be away from Cleveland?
A full rebuild is measured in months, because stripping, refinishing, restringing and action work each need time to cure and settle. We give you a realistic schedule with the quote so you can plan around it.
Who actually moves the piano?
Around Buffalo and Western New York, our own crews on our own specially designed truck. For destinations beyond that range we facilitate the move with our partner piano movers and coordinate the whole job ourselves, so you are still dealing with one company rather than booking a freight company yourself. More about our moving service.
What does the plate inspection involve?
Before anything is taken apart we measure downbearing, check string height against hammer height, and examine the plate for stress cracks. Where a crack needs repair, that repair carries a ten year guarantee.
Can you install a player system while you have it?
Yes. We are an authorized PianoDisc dealer and installation center, and fitting the system during a rebuild saves a second round of moving costs.