Steve Dibble
Pianola Restoration.
Pianola Restoration.
Our Services
I offer a complete restoration service for Pianolas from the smallest repair to a major rebuild. A complete rebuild entails stripping down and assessing the condition of all player action parts, replacing those which are no longer serviceable, especially bellows and pneumatic coverings, and all tubing. Valves and pouches are individually cleaned and tested, replacing or repairing those found in need. Testing of all components is done continually throughout the rebuilding process to ensure a reliable, airtight, easy to play instrument that I can guarantee with confidence.
If you own a pianola that you wish to try your hand at restoring I would be pleased to offer advice and would be prepared to do the bits that you may feel less confident about, such as the stack or perhaps the Duo Art mechanisms fitted to some players.
I also recommend that the piano action is rebuilt at the same time as the player action. Once again, this entails complete disassembly, cleaning, assessing and replacing or reconditioning all worn felts, leathers, springs, centre pins and tapes then carefully rebuilding and regulating. It is important that the piano action is responsive for the full range of the instrument to be enjoyed.
I can also restore and repolish the casework should it be necessary. In my experience, reviving the polish and touching in any marks or scratches can be enough to make a vast improvement to the appearance of a Pianola.
A full restoration will usually take between four and eight weeks. All workmanship is guaranteed for two years.
Collection/Delivery can be arranged.
Looking after your Pianola:
Ideally your pianola should be serviced annually to keep it in top condition and to prevent minor problems becoming major and sometimes expensive ones, if not attended to.This service is offered at my standard mileage and labour rates mentioned below.
Player pianos were manufactured largely from natural materials ie: wood, felt, leather and hot glue which have a finite lifespan. This lifespan is affected enormously by the conditions under which the instrument is kept. Amongst other things, moths can destroy the felts, rust can weaken the springs, central heating can dry out the wooden components and glue causing air leaks, keys can warp and stick, all of which can be expensive to remedy if left to go too far. A service will highlight these problems often before they become too serious and I will offer advice on how to avoid problems arising in the future.
Please note:
I cannot be held responsible for, or guarantee my workmanship if the restored instrument is not kept in reasonable conditions of temperature and humidity. I can offer advice on this on delivery of the completed restoration.
There are devices available that are designed to keep your player and pianos in general at close to ideal conditions, I can also offer advice on the purchasing and fitting of these, please click on the link:
www.dampp-chaser.com/
Stack removal / refitting service:
I have had a number of enquiries recently from owners who are finding it difficult to locate a piano tuner who will deal with pianolas.
Some tuners can be reluctant to get involved with pianolas as there are several different types some of which can be complex and tricky to work on.
As a result of this I am now offering a stack removal / refitting service.
The stack is the part of the player action which makes access to the strings and tuning pins more difficult. I will drive to your home anywhere on the UK mainland, remove the stack and, either wait while the tuner does their work to refit the stack, or arrange a return visit to refit. This may also be a good time to have your pianola serviced. (see above)
I charge 50 pence a mile plus £80 for up to the first hour and £40 an hour thereafter for labour. Most stacks take less than an hour to remove and refit.
Call me on
07801 859162
or click on the Contact link below
to arrange a visit.
If you own a pianola that you wish to try your hand at restoring I would be pleased to offer advice and would be prepared to do the bits that you may feel less confident about, such as the stack or perhaps the Duo Art mechanisms fitted to some players.
I also recommend that the piano action is rebuilt at the same time as the player action. Once again, this entails complete disassembly, cleaning, assessing and replacing or reconditioning all worn felts, leathers, springs, centre pins and tapes then carefully rebuilding and regulating. It is important that the piano action is responsive for the full range of the instrument to be enjoyed.
I can also restore and repolish the casework should it be necessary. In my experience, reviving the polish and touching in any marks or scratches can be enough to make a vast improvement to the appearance of a Pianola.
A full restoration will usually take between four and eight weeks. All workmanship is guaranteed for two years.
Collection/Delivery can be arranged.
Looking after your Pianola:
Ideally your pianola should be serviced annually to keep it in top condition and to prevent minor problems becoming major and sometimes expensive ones, if not attended to.This service is offered at my standard mileage and labour rates mentioned below.
Player pianos were manufactured largely from natural materials ie: wood, felt, leather and hot glue which have a finite lifespan. This lifespan is affected enormously by the conditions under which the instrument is kept. Amongst other things, moths can destroy the felts, rust can weaken the springs, central heating can dry out the wooden components and glue causing air leaks, keys can warp and stick, all of which can be expensive to remedy if left to go too far. A service will highlight these problems often before they become too serious and I will offer advice on how to avoid problems arising in the future.
Please note:
I cannot be held responsible for, or guarantee my workmanship if the restored instrument is not kept in reasonable conditions of temperature and humidity. I can offer advice on this on delivery of the completed restoration.
There are devices available that are designed to keep your player and pianos in general at close to ideal conditions, I can also offer advice on the purchasing and fitting of these, please click on the link:
www.dampp-
Stack removal / refitting service:
I have had a number of enquiries recently from owners who are finding it difficult to locate a piano tuner who will deal with pianolas.
Some tuners can be reluctant to get involved with pianolas as there are several different types some of which can be complex and tricky to work on.
As a result of this I am now offering a stack removal / refitting service.
The stack is the part of the player action which makes access to the strings and tuning pins more difficult. I will drive to your home anywhere on the UK mainland, remove the stack and, either wait while the tuner does their work to refit the stack, or arrange a return visit to refit. This may also be a good time to have your pianola serviced. (see above)
I charge 50 pence a mile plus £80 for up to the first hour and £40 an hour thereafter for labour. Most stacks take less than an hour to remove and refit.
Call me on
07801 859162
or click on the Contact link below
to arrange a visit.
Visit www.pianola.uk on your laptop or PC to see more pages of different players and restorations.