Question on restoring an old Yamaha piano? Piano Technicians Very Welcome!!!

[barretoguitar]

So I recently came into possession of an old Yamaha piano (not sure how old yet), and I sent it to get repainted for some scratches and dents. Now this is my question the guy who's painting it told me to call a piano tuner/technician so he can "take out" the mechanics of the piano so he can fix it while the painter paints. So can this be done??? Can a piano be "separated"?

The problems with the piano are:
1 Broken String (there an offset chance that I have to replace them all but I hope not)
Some Keys don't go back up when played
Needs some cleaning
and Needs Tuning

Now for the second problem listed what are the causes and what could be the total amount I need to spend to get all the problems fixed.
Thanks in advance.

[dedilya]

Yes, entire set of actions can be removed from the piano and each action can be fixed, cleaned, and regulated. This can be done at your home. One string can be replaced at home as well. About cabinet work I am not sure. I can tell you about my experience:
Action regulation for my medium grand piano took 2 hours - $240. Tuning - $130. I don't know about string replacement and cleaning, should not be too much.

Good luck and enjoy your piano

[quantum]

I'd think it wise to remove the action if you are going to be painting the piano.  If paint works its way into the mechanics it can potentially cause more problems. 

If you call a technician he/she will be able to diagnose and fix the problems you list.  Fixing a broken string is a common repair.  If it is a bass string, you will probably need to have one custom made to the specs of the current one.  Sticking keys can have all sorts of causes, the tech would need to have a look at the piano. 

Regarding cleaning: if it is just a thin layer of dust, you can vacuum out most of that yourself as long as you are careful.  Don't try to jam or force the hose in between delicate action parts.  A technician will have a tool to clean the soundboard behind the strings.  Leave the action alone if you are new to cleaning pianos, let the tech look after it. 

[willvenables]

It really depends on how good the piano actually is by spec., design & build - and also how much you want that piano over and above something else that already performs well, is in good condition and is about the same cost as restoring an old piano. i.e. is there any sentimental value?

However, 'restored' is loosely used. Proper restoration would typically involve recovering keys (if discoloured, deep scratched or chipped), new hammers, new centres, new butt flanges inc. loop cords, new bridle tapes, new dampers, re-bushed keys, bridge/soundboard repairs (if split), stripping and re-lacquering of soundboard, refinishing of cabinet, servicing of pedal trap-work, replacement celeste rail felt (if middle pedal exists), frame respray, new wrest-plank (tuning pin block), complete action/keyboard/damper/pedal regulation, hammer shaping - fitting to strings - voicing, several tunings. With pretty much no relation to the value of the piano, the same amount of work will cost about the same to do, unless there is significant cost differences in the genuine parts used for the piano. Whilst this looks like thorough work - and it is - this is thereabouts what most people would expect restoration to mean, once they understood the workings of a piano. This work would certainly cost above £4,000 to do in the UK. You can buy a new Yamaha piano for £2,500... so this is why it is important to look at both elements: how much needs to be done and how much do you want this piano?

The sticking/sluggish keys are often caused by the key bushing cloth in the holes under the keys being too tight/swollen (humidity/damp) on the bat pins and is cured by compressing the bushing cloth with key easing pliers - taking just seconds per key. First, you need to check if the piano has been exposed to a damp or overly humid environment and if it will dry out in your home after a few months. Rub some white paper on the strings to check for rust, also look closely at the tuning pins and the string coils on the pins.

If it is a matter of cosmetic repairs, removing the action, keyboard and pedal trap-work (for cabinet work), reinstalling, replacing a couple of strings, regulating the keyboard, pedals and action after re-installation, fine tuning and perhaps a service... then mechanically, acoustically and structurally -the piano has not been restored in anyway - but still, there is some amount of work to be done and it may cost you around £500, plus what you are paying the cabinet finisher. You may find that, after all this, the piano is only worth £800-£1,200.

If you can upload some pictures, I will be happy to advise further.

[lhorwinkle]

If the cabinet needs to be refinished, it should be done by a talented piano restorer, not by a "painter". It's expensive, so I wonder if this piano is worth it?

A tuning is not very expensive. You'll need to re-tune at least twice a year.

Stuck keys are usually easy to fix ... by a technician.

Same for replacing a single string. But if it needs a complete restringing, then it's likely to cost more than the piano is worth.

Also, have a technician evaluate the pinblock. If pins are loose, the repair cost (new pinblock, and more) will exceed the value of the piano. In that condition, the piano would be deemed "junk". You need to know that before you commit to doing any work on the piano.

I suggest you engage a piano technician and get an estimate of the total cost of bringing the piano into proper working condition. If the cost is high, ask yourself whether this piano is worth that much.