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Some points to consider before having your pianola restored:
*Most expensive is not necessarily best. I have over the years, worked on a number
of pianolas that had previously been restored at great expense and it has become
clear that these restorations were very poor and incomplete, (see *marked items on
the ‘Pictures’ page) leaving unfortunate owners with no choice but to spend more
money having the resulting problems rectified. A good restoration should last at
least a generation, say 30 -
*Do not allow your pianola to be removed from your house before a firm price for the job is given, it will be more difficult and expensive to have it returned when you discover how much some restorers expect you to pay for a full restoration.
A competent technician will be able to make an accurate assessment of work required and costs, on site.
I charge £80 plus 50 pence a mile for a full written assessment which I refund if you decide to go ahead.
*In the current market restoration of your pianola is sadly not usually a sound financial proposition. They are rarely, if ever worth the cost of restoration. The labour intensive nature of a good restoration means the work will never be cheap, though neither does it have to be vastly expensive. In my experience most customers have their pianolas restored for sentimental reasons and to leave them for the next generation to enjoy and will justify the cost of restoration by the many more years of entertainment their restored pianola will provide. Apart from the enormous enjoyment pianolas give they are also complete musical instruments in themselves and will, with practice, enable you to play your own interpretation of your favourite piano pieces.
*Be clear about what you want to have done and avoid being talked into doing more than originally agreed. The average pianola does not need to be brought up to concert standard for it to give many more years of trouble free service. Although of course it can be if that is what you want!
Steve Dibble’s
Pianola Restoration Co.
Visit www.pianola.uk on your laptop, Mac or PC to see more pages of different players and restorations.
Website last updated: 0n 07/09/23
Visits by appointment only.
I work to a very high standard using well proven traditional methods and
materials.
While my prices reflect this high standard you will find them to be
realistic.
I provide a 2 year guarantee on all Pianola action restorations as
a matter of course.