1970s Kawai Grand
Complete Restoration
This piano received full case/cabinet refinishing, action and soundboard refurbishment.
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“There are eighty-eight
keys on a piano,
and within that, an entire universe.”
—James Rhodes
1970s Kawai Grand
Before Restoration
This piano was kept in a bright, south-facing living room for over thirty years. As a result, the finish had a faded and tired look.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Before Restoration
The action, strings, felts and buckskin were similarly aged due to age and the environment the piano was kept in. The soundboard had five cracks.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Before Restoration
Even though the piano had not been played much, its condition was such that it no longer produced a pleasing tone. As a result, the owners hired Glenmore Piano Service to perform complete case and action restoration.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
In preparation for refinishing, the piano is deconstructed down to the frame. The keyboard, action, plate and soundboard are removed for refurbishment.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
Wooden case/cabinet components are individually stripped, coloured and sealed. Shown here is the lid prop, following removal from the piano (left), after stripping (centre), and after refinishing (right).
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
The soundboard was cracked and had lost its crown, but the wood was in good condition overall. Therefore it was repaired and refurbished rather than replaced. Shown here following refinishing and re-decaling. We also offer new soundboards made from your choice of Canadian, German or Italian spruce.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
A new short bridge is hand-made through an exacting process of notching and pinning. The existing long bridge was reused as it was in good condition.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
Even though the piano was relatively young, the pinblock failed as a result of the hot, dry environment the piano was kept in. It was replaced with a newly manufactured 5-ply Canadian maple pinblock, carefully duplicated to match the original.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
The refinished rim and frame, shown after installation of the refurbished soundboard and long bridge, as well as the new short bridge.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
The old finish is removed from the cast-iron plate using soda blasting.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
The plate is gilded and felted prior to reinstallation in the refinished cabinet.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
Following installation of the new pinblock and the regilded plate, new felts and strings are added.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
Treble strings are hand-made using top-quality steel wire. Choose to duplicate the existing scaling or create a new scaling to suit your musical preferences.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
The thickness of strings increases from treble to bass. Bass strings are made by winding a copper wire around a steel core wire.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
Strings are hand-terminated according to original specifications or your preference (double-helix style shown).
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
Tuning pins are replaced with your choice of German-made steel or nickel pins.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
Hardware components including hinges, screws and pedals are cleaned, buffed and/or replated.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
Stringing is now complete and the legs, front board and lid prop have been reinstalled.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
The action has been completely refurbished, using new parts as needed.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
The old keytops had yellowed as a result of sun exposure and were replaced with new Japanese acrylic. Synthetic ivory is also available.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Process
The pedal lyre has been rebuilt using repolished pedals. Replating is also available.
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1970s Kawai Grand
After Restoration
The new satin finish is durable and easy to care for.
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1970s Kawai Grand
After Restoration
The new satin finish is durable and easy to care for.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Complete
The refurbished keyboard and action, refinished desk, fallboard and lid have been reinstalled. Following multiple tunings and a complete regulation, the piano is prepared for delivery.
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1970s Kawai Grand
Restoration Complete
Following a twelve-week stay in our workshop, the restored piano looks, sounds and plays like new!
To book an appointment for an evaluation and estimate, and to see additional projects from our piano restoration archive, please use the contact form below or call 403-254-9544.
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When to Restore
From the time of manufacture, a piano slowly starts to degrade. The average performance lifespan of a piano is fifty years – under ideal storage conditions, and with regular tuning and maintenance. An older piano can beautify a room, but its tone quality and playability is reduced compared to a new instrument. A poorly stored and/or infrequently tuned and maintained piano can become untunable in as little as twenty years. At this point, partial or complete restoration is required. Glenmore Piano Service is proud to operate a complete restoration and rebuilding facility for grand and upright pianos.
Summary of the Restoration Process
Disassembly – First, the lid, legs, keyboard and action are removed (grands). Tuning pins and strings are next, followed by the pinblock, cast-iron plate and soundboard. Each component is carefully stored and documented. Stripping – the old finish is gently removed from wood components using a combination of solvents and abrasives. Case Repair – gouges and/or veneer damage is repaired and sanded to a uniform finish, in preparation for colouring and finishing. Cast-iron Plate Refinishing – the old finish is removed through soda blasting. The plate is then re-gilded and re-felted. Colouring – wood case components are dyed to your choice of colour. Lacquer Finish – your choice of glossy or satin, using multiple coats, sanding between coats. At this stage manufacturer decals are applied. Curing and Polishing – The finish is left to cure and shrink for ten to fourteen days, after which it is polished using various abrasives and compounds. Soundboard – as long as the wood is in good condition it can be repaired and reinstalled, even if cracked. If the wood is too degraded then a new Canadian, German or Italian spruce soundboard is custom-manufactured. Once installed the board is decalled and sealed. Bridges – can be reused if the wood is in good condition, otherwise new bridges are created and installed after the soundboard. Pinblock – can sometimes be reused but is usually replaced with a custom-manufactured five-ply Canadian maple pinblock. Strings – new strings are made by hand using top-quality steel, copper and brass wire from Germany and the USA. Once the plate and pinblock are reinstalled, the piano is restrung using new tuning pins. Keytops – repaired or replaced with new acrylic or synthetic ivory material. Hammerheads & Felts – replaced or recovered with your choice of top-quality felts from Japan and Germany. Buckskin – replaced with your choice of synthetic or genuine buckskin. Action Components – refurbished and/or replaced as needed. Hardware Components – including hinges, plates and screws – are cleaned, polished and/or replated prior to reinstallation. Pedals – the pedal lyre is rebuilt and reinstalled, along with the lid, lid prop and music desk. Tuning & Regulation – multiple tunings to concert pitch, as well as a fine regulation of action components. Bench – refinished or replaced with a custom-manufactured bench.
Options & Upgrades
Humidity Control System – The Piano Life Saver System protects your investment while improving tuning stability and action performance. Player Systems – enjoy “live” performances from top artists, as recreated by your restored piano. Piano Benches – fixed or adjustable-height, made with your choice of woods, and optionally upholstered in your choice of leather, fabric or horsehair.
First Steps – Prior to Restoration
1. Evaluation – the piano is examined to determine if it is a suitable candidate for rebuilding. An estimate is generated based on this examination. This is either performed in-person by one of our technicians (most accurate), by a local partner technician, or using your own photos. 2. Initial Payment – 50% of the estimate is paid and a pickup date is booked. 3. Calgary Area Pickup – the piano is transported to our shop by dedicated piano truck. Pickup Across Canada and the United States – the piano is crated and transported to our shop by freight carrier.
Cost & Methods of Payment
Estimates/consultations are $160, refundable on completion of your restoration. Complete piano restoration from $25,000. Case-only restoration from $10,000. 50% of the estimated cost is due prior to commencing work. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars. Cheques and bank transfers are accepted in major currencies.
Final Steps – After Restoration
1. Final Payment – the balance is paid and a pickup date is scheduled. 2. Calgary-Area Delivery – the restored piano is transported to you by dedicated piano truck. Delivery Across Canada and the United States – the piano is crated and transported to you by freight carrier. 3. Initial Tuning – the piano is inspected and tuned by our technicians or by a local partner technician. 3. Followup Tuning – within four to six weeks the piano is tuned again. At this point the piano can be tuned on a standard six to nine month schedule.
How to Book an Estimate & Consultation – Three Methods
Online Booking – select a date and choose a time. Contact Form – complete the form below and we will follow up with availability. Phone – call 403-254-9544 (8:30 am to 7:30 pm daily).
Online Booking
If you would like a follow-up from our office staff, if you are located outside our service area or have questions prior to booking, we recommend using the contact form (below).
Contact Form
Schedule an Appointment
Send a Message
Ask a Question
Schedule an Appointment
Send a Message
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Glenmore Piano Service
5319 3 Street Southeast #711, Calgary
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I am busy during the week and needed someone to come on a Sunday afternoon when I was at home. The technician arrived at the scheduled time, was tidy and professional in my home. I'm excited to start practicing again... my piano sounds amazing now!
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Our piano was in need of some TLC, which was provided in a prompt manner by Glenmore Piano Service. They didn't need any help finding our rural property even though it was their first time out. Great work, will have them back again!
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Our previous piano tuner had retired, so we tried Glenmore Piano Service after a recommendation from a friend. Our piano sounds great and the price was fair also.
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Good number of options with regards to appointment timing. Our piano has never sounded better, they clearly know what they are doing. Very trustworthy and honest.
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Provided moving and storage of our piano while our home was being renovated. Completed a restringing and then returned it when we were ready. It was a very pleasant experience hiring them, from start to finish. i would highly recommend them
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Focused, efficient and careful piano tuner/technician. Pleasant to talk with, and the tuning is perfect! Thanks also for such a thorough job in cleaning the inside.
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We inherited a poorly maintained grand piano which needed multiple repairs. We were able to easily schedule an appointment online. He arrived on time and now we have a plan to get this piano into better condition over a few visits.
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One of the best piano service calls I’ve ever had! Beware of persons who only tune, if they run into any issues (as frequently happens during tuning) a tuner will have to defer to a full-service company. You will be much better off working with a company that does all types of repair and restoration, such as Glenmore Piano Service.
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We used their website to book a piano tuning and pitch adjustment. It turned out to also need a cleaning. It took 3 hours but everything is complete and it sounds lively again and the dust smell is very much diminished.
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I was pleasantly surprised by how quick they were to respond and how easy it was. Great service, my piano was severely out of tune and also quite flat. Both problems are completely resolved. Because the winters here are so dry, I had the piano life saver system installed which is already starting to work after a few days.
