Dave Conte Piano Service

Project Gallery

The instrument pictured here was a good candidate for restoration. The case and framework were in good condition, but it could not be tuned. The soundboard had cracks, the bass bridge was splitting out, as was the top end of the treble bridge, and the action mechanism and damper system each needed to be completely overhauled.

This piano had some particular challenges. Because of its age and design, many replacement parts were no longer available, so the existing parts had to be rebuilt or reconditioned. I have made some specific references to these in the following photos and their respective explanations. Click on any picture to see it larger.

Chickering & Sons "Quarter Grand" model piano, scale 122 measuring 5’ 1", manufactured in 1910.
Property of Barbara and Larry Jones of Irving, Texas.

This is how the piano looked when I first saw it. You can clearly see one of the cracks in the soundboard, which runs the complete width, parallel to the treble bridge.

You can see the splitting in the bass bridge along the row of bridge pins.

The bass bridge after removal, showing the extent of damage.

The soundboard repaired, with the apron and new bass bridge fitted.

All cracks permanently repaired and ready to be cleaned and finished, with a beautiful new decal.

After much checking and re-checking the final plate fitting is done and all screws and bolts are tightened, ready for restringing.

Now to the action mechanism.

You can see here how dark the original wood gets as it ages and holds on to accumulations of dirt. Those dark keys had been brushed and blown off with 120psi compressed air. The two on the left end were the start of a more intensive cleaning. The whole set eventually looked this way.

These action parts were not replaceable. Here is side-by-side view of parts before and after intensive cleaning. All the felt, silk cording and pinning will be replaced. The felt parts will be custom dyed to duplicate the original color.