Piano Restoration and Rebuilding for Detroit
Restoring pianos for Detroit, MI
Orchestra Hall and the Motown studios made Detroit a piano town, and the city still holds the instruments to prove it.
We rebuild fine pianos for Detroit owners, Steinway, Baldwin, Mason & Hamlin and many others, at our own facility: restringing, pinblock and soundboard replacement, complete action rebuilds and hand refinishing.
What we take on for Detroit customers
Major repair and full restoration only, at our shop in Buffalo. No tuning, regulation or minor repairs in Detroit: those belong to a technician near you, and we would rather say so than sell you a long-distance callout. Getting the piano here is our problem, not yours. See how our service area works.
Working with southeast Michigan
Hitsville USA ran on an upright in a basement, and the Detroit Symphony has played Orchestra Hall since 1919. Between the two, the city built a century of serious piano culture that never really went away.
Detroit's housing stock is the other half of the story. The neighbourhoods built during the boom were furnished with good instruments bought new, and a great many are still in place. Under a worn finish there is frequently a piano whose bones are entirely sound.
The drive is about 290 miles, comparable to Toledo, so the logistics are routine rather than exceptional. We arrange collection and return; you do not book anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a piano that has been in an unheated house be saved?
Frequently, though it needs looking at properly rather than guessing. Cold on its own is less damaging than repeated swings between damp and dry heat. Send photographs, the make and the serial number and we will give you an honest first view.
Do you rebuild instruments used for recording?
Yes, and they are judged on different things: how evenly the action responds under a microphone, whether it repeats cleanly at speed, and how long it holds a tuning. All three come down to the pinblock, the action parts and the regulation.
What finishes can you apply?
High-gloss polyester, satin lacquer and natural wood, in your choice of stain or colour. We hand-rub our finishes, and we hand strip rather than dipping so veneers and glue joints are not loosened.
How do I get a quote from Detroit?
Call 716-832-0013 or use the contact form with the make, the serial number and a few photographs. The firm quote follows a proper inspection once the piano is in the shop, and no work starts until you approve it.