Steinway Restoration Center

How long does a Steinway really last?

While the cabinet of a Steinway grand has proven to last over 150 years, on average, we expect about 80 years of performance from a Steinway grand in a home setting. Sometimes they go many years longer and sometimes shorter, depending on use and care, but 80 years is where we, as piano experts, take extra care in determining a used Steinway's viability. 

Who can restore a Steinway?

While anyone with skill can replace strings and action parts, the STEINWAY RESTORATION CENTER ™ is the only place on earth where Steinway craftspeople and specialized equipment have been brought together for the sole purpose of restoring the world’s finest pianos using 100% genuine Steinway components every time. It is the only place on earth that can replace a Steinway Diaphragmatic Soundboard. Often, expectations going into the restoration process are that the finished piano will be “good as new.” However, Steinway’s select materials, custom machinery, and proprietary expertise are impossible to replicate in a small shop with store-bought tools.

Will a partial restoration cost me later?

Ultimately, all rebuilding work is based on incomplete knowledge of the piano’s structural integrity. Soundboard cracks, splits in the bridges, rusty strings, etc., can be seen with the naked eye. However, cracks in the wrestplank (pinblock) or structural failures in the rim (the curved outer case) and support posts often remain hidden. The effect these problems will have on the piano’s performance may not be realized until after the piano has been rebuilt. Minor components, like strings, hammers, action parts, and dampers are easier to replace, but are nonetheless labor intensive because there are so many of them. Major components like the soundboard, bridges, and wrestplank require removal of the cast-iron plate, which not only makes the process expensive, but most often calls for the strings and tuning pins to be replaced as well. Often, rebuilding is done in half-steps, effectively patching together an old Steinway to keep it going. Weigh carefully the cost and risks of pouring money into an old Steinway, the same way you would with an old car or old house. 

Does 100% Steinway authenticity matter to me?

It may not. Many pianos are purchased with non-Steinway components. Our experience is that the overwhelming majority of used Steinway buyers are not aware of their rebuilt Steinway's generic components until they try to sell it. Some, we imagine, want the Steinway name for the status it displays and are willing to accept lower performance to get it at a lower price. However, if performance and longevity are of any value to you, we would suggest having a look at Boston Pianos, by Steinway & Sons as a worthy alternative in the same price range. 

Will I pay a premium for a counterfeit?

The vast majority of rebuilt Steinways are counterfeit, simply because using cheaper non-Steinway parts will greatly increase the profit-margin. If a buyer fails to verify the use of 100% Genuine Steinway Components, then a large premium may be paid for a piano that has a Steinway case and logo, but the inner-workings of some other piano. If the resulting piano is not truly a Steinway, then other pianos in the same price-range, like BOSTON PIANOS, by Steinway & Sons, are worthy of consideration.

Is a Boston Piano a better alternative for me?

Boston pianos were developed by Steinway to provide a practice piano with the same action-geometry as a Steinway piano. An unqualified success, Boston pianos are now the #1 practice piano in colleges and universities. Over 200 colleges and universities use Boston pianos exclusively in their practice rooms and faculty rooms. No manufacturer has achieved such a thing in the 300 year history of the piano. Recently, Boston won a comparison vs. several handmade European pianos in Diapason Magazine. In addition, within 10 years of purchase the Steinway Promise guarantees the full original purchase price of your Boston or Essex piano toward the purchase of a new Steinway grand piano.