Piano Restoration and Rebuilding for Syracuse
Restoring pianos for Syracuse, NY
Illos Piano Restorations serves Syracuse and central New York, restoring pianos for homes, schools, churches and performance spaces.
We rebuild fine pianos for Syracuse 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 Syracuse customers
Major repair and full restoration only, at our shop in Buffalo. No tuning, regulation or minor repairs in Syracuse: 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 central New York
Syracuse is a straight two and a half hour run east on the Thruway, so collections there fit easily into our schedule and transport adds little to a restoration quote.
Central New York winters are hard on pianos. Months of dry heated air shrink soundboards and loosen tuning pins, and an instrument that goes through that cycle for decades without attention will eventually stop holding a tuning at all. That is usually the point at which owners call us, and usually it is fixable.
Frequently Asked Questions
My piano will not hold a tuning any more. What is wrong?
Most often the pinblock. When the block no longer grips the tuning pins consistently, no amount of tuning will hold. Replacing it is a core part of a rebuild, and ours are drilled for a consistent fit and shimmed so all gaps at the plate flange are eliminated.
Is winter dryness really that damaging?
It is the single most common cause of the problems we see in central New York. Sensible humidity control in the room does more to protect a piano than anything else an owner can do, and we will advise on it when the instrument goes back.
Do you serve the smaller towns around Syracuse?
Yes. The collection run covers central New York generally, not just the city. Give us the address when you enquire.
Can you give a rough idea of cost before collecting?
An initial view, yes, from photographs, the make and the serial number. The firm written quote follows the shop assessment, and no work starts until you approve it.