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These heirloom instruments were placed in homes without insulation and were exposed to extremes in temperature. In the humid summer, the separation would close up and disappear as the moisture content of the wood increased. In the arid dry winter, a joint in the soundboard would open up and a visible separation would appear. With no way to control extreme environmental conditions 100+ years ago, these heirloom soundboards were brilliantly designed to move with the changes of the environment. It is the nature of wood to shrink and swell with changes in the environment such as humidity, heat and cold. In a time before climate control and air conditioning, these instruments would leave their factories and travel to harsh climates of extreme heat and cold as well as excessive dryness and humidity. The reality is that nearly all heirloom instruments have cracks and separations in their soundboards – they were designed this way so that the soundboards could move and adapt to changes in heat and humidity.ĭuring the 19th and early 20th Centuries, piano manufacturers were shipping instruments all over the world.

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”Ĭlients often tell us that their local piano tuner says their piano has a cracked soundboard and is ruined and worthless. People who do not share this love and appreciation will tell you the market doesn’t exist, but our extensive clientele proves otherwise. People who love and appreciate their heirloom instruments are the people who create the very real market for these instruments. While respecting differing opinions, those who prefer new pianos over restoration are simply not our customers, just as those who are passionate about having an antique instrument restored are not likely to go out and buy a new piano. How can be that an instrument that cost hundreds of dollars a century ago (the cost of a small house) be worthless today? How can the old-growth wood from America’s virgin forests and the endangered ivory be disposable and tossed aside? One of the costliest single investments of a lifetime, our a ncestors would have gone to great sacrifice to own a piano or organ, expecting the instrument to be passed down through generations.

As restoration costs steadily increase, values of these antique instruments are steadily increasing as well. The real market has historically supported antique piano restoration and preservation, and it seems to be a growing trend. To me, many newer instruments don’t have the “soul” of these heirloom instruments, and they seem almost lifeless and sterile by comparison. I suspect that many new piano dealers have not had the privilege of that experience, hence their prejudice against restoration and preservation. I have played Chopin and Schumann on restored 19th Century upright and grand pianos, the same instruments these masters would have played, and the power and warmth was incredibly moving. I got chills down my back because of the experience, knowing I was hearing the music the way Beethoven’s audience heard it firsthand. I have personally sat down and played Beethoven piano sonatas on a restored pre-Civil War square grand piano. I approach these vintage instruments from a pianist’s point of view first, and from a technical point of view second.

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However, there are also those who love and cherish these heirloom instruments and those who are passionate about restoring and preserving them for future generations.īeing a professional pianist is what got me so involved with piano restoration and preservation. Much of this prejudice comes from the fact that many in the piano industry have little (if any) experience with antique instruments and they are afraid of what they do not understand. Unfortunately, there are a lot of piano tuners and technicians out there who do not believe that heirloom instruments deserve restoration and preservation. I have clients approach me asking, “Is my antique piano worth restoration?” My answer is almost always YES because of what I have seen in the real market over the past several years. It is rare that we encounter those who take much middle-ground on the subject. “It seems as if there are two basic mindsets in the piano industry: Those who value their heirloom pianos, and those who think they are junk.