Expert Piano Restoration in Asheville, NC
Welcome to the Piano Emporium Piano Restoration Department
Vintage pianos are true works of art, prized family heirlooms, and examples of extraordinary craftsmanship. Our mission is to accurately restore and/or rebuild your vintage piano so that it is returned to its original appearance and quality of sound. By combining detailed craftsmanship with modern technology, the piano technicians at Piano Emporium bring the best of both worlds to piano restoration. They share over 81+ years of combined experience in piano rebuilding and restoring, so you can be confident that your vintage piano restoration is in the best possible hands. All pianos are unique in what may or may not be needed for restoration, and that’s why our piano technicians take the time to educate you. Our estimates always include all details of replacement items and labor costs, because we want you to completely understand the entire restoration process. Piano restoration may include
- Refinishing the piano cabinet or case
- Polishing brass
- Replacing or repairing the soundboard, including finish and decal (when applicable)
- Bridge repair and/or recapping
- Replacing the pinblock
- Refinishing the plate
- Repinning and restringing
- New damper felts with refinished damper heads
- Damper regulation
- Replacing or renewing repetition levers
- New hammers, shanks, and flanges
- Restoring ivory keytops or replacing with quality acrylic keytops
- New key bushings
- New action felts
- Action regulation
- Tuning to A440 concert pitch
- Voicing
In rare instances, the cost of restoring a vintage piano could involve a greater investment than that of purchasing a new piano, especially if the vintage piano has not been stored in ideal climate conditions. Although the wood quality in antique pianos is far superior to modern wood products, long exposure to extreme heat or cold can damage vintage wood beyond repair, affecting its overall tonal quality. In these rare cases, our staff and technicians will review the options with you so that you can decide the best investment to make. Call us today for a free estimate, and together we’ll begin the process of restoring your vintage piano’s rich sound, precise action, and gleaming look.
STEINWAY
Before & After
Ludwig Antique Piano Restoration
Here are the photos of the piano from our customer in South Carolina. It is a Ludwig #30545 manufactured in 1901. Ludwig & co. was established in 1888 in New York. They made high quality pianos well worthy of restoration. This particular piano has a beautiful walnut case with ornate carving on the front panel. This piano has a very rich tone and ending up playing very responsively. We did the following work to this piano:
- refinish of the exterior case
- new strings & tuning pins
- minor bridge repair
- new hammers
- new hammer butts and flanges
- new key tops
- re-bush front and center key rails
- complete action recondition and regulation
- new dual wheel neoprene casters for easy rolling
- nickel plating of all 3 pedals and the front plate
The piano turned out better than new and had an awesome tonality. A tradition of piano craftsmanship went into antique upright pianos manufactured during this time period from many different companies all of which can be transformed into amazing instruments which are true gems and quality heirlooms. The durability and integrity of pianos in this period are uncompromised and part of the reason there are still many survivors.
LUDWIG
Before & After



Kranich & Bach Piano Restoration
Here are the before and after photos of the Louis XIV piano we restored from a customer in Georgia. It is a Kranich & Bach # 61946 originally manufactured in 1921. Kranich & Bach was established in 1864 in New York. They had showrooms in New York and Chicago. They made heirloom quality pianos with some very fancy case designs. We completed the following on this particular piano.
- Re-finish case
- replace pin-block
- repair and refinish soundboard
- re-finish plate
- new strings and tuning pins
- new hammers & shanks
- new dampers
- action restoration including whippens (some parts had to be made by hand)
- new back checks
- complete regulation
- new key tops
- new key bushings
- installed a Piano Life Saver humidity control system
This Kranich & Bach grand piano is an extraordinary instrument that brought a lifetime of enjoyment to its original owner and is ready to serve another lifetime now that restoration has been completed. Any piano will give its best performance if it is serviced regularly by a qualified technician. Tuning is just a small part of piano service and periodic regulation and voicing should be part of your regular service to keep the piano at its best and to last for many years to come.
KRANICH AND BACH
Before & After





Interested in Restoring your Piano?
Call us today at 828-277-5566 to discuss a restoration.