Piano Restoration
Leaver & Son specialises in the restoration of all makes and models of European, American and Australian upright and grand pianos. We are one of the last surviving piano restoration businesses that offers both interior and exterior piano restoration packages, making us a unique, one-stop shop for all of your piano restoration requirements.
Leaver & Son employs the perfect blend of modern machinery and tools combined with traditional restoration techniques to ensure we retail the authenticity of your piano following restoration.
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We work closely with our customers to meet your desired outcome within budget. Our piano restoration workshop is an open door and we encourage you to pay us a visit.
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We restore pianos for customers across Australia, from Perth to Darwin, Hobart to Brisbane, and everywhere in between! We can easily arrange transport of your piano at minimal expense to either of our workshops located in Adelaide or Hobart.
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Leaver & Son quotes via an hourly rate and can itemise each component of a piano restoration. We are flexible with our restoration packages and work hard to design a package to suit each customer's requirements.
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To discuss restoring your piano, please contact us!
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South Australia:
Call 08 8362 8813 (Store) or 0408 221 272, or email joe@leaverandson.com.au
Tasmania:
Call 0444 539 714 or email joe@leaverandson.com.au
Which pianos are worthy of restoration and why should you consider a classic, restored, hand-made piano over a modern, new factory-made piano?
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The golden era of pianos is widely thought of as between 1905 and 1940. By 1905, the piano industry was the largest industry in the world with over 5000 manufacturers spread mainly across Europe and the United States. By 1940, the world's top piano manufacturers, Steinway, Bosendorfer, Bluthner and Bechstein, had perfected the art of piano design and construction.
The fundamental mechanics and structural design of a piano have remained largely unchanged since the early 1900s and a handful of modern, top-quality piano manufacturers still use traditional design and manufacturing techniques. However, the modern piano tends to be factory-built for consumer markets and not built with the same degree of care and craftsmanship. With this. in mind, a high-quality piano from between 1905 and 1940 is often an excellent choice. In most cases, it will be far superior in both tone and touch, as well as aesthetic appeal.
Experience & Expertise
Leaver & Son has been restoring pianos and furniture under the expert direction of Joe Leaver for more than 20 years.
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Joe's formal qualifications include a 4-year apprenticeship in piano tuning, repairs and restoration and a Piano Tuner & Technician Certificate. He has worked within the piano industry since leaving school, amassing a wealth of technical knowledge and practical experience and has been invited to comment as an expert in his field by media on numerous occasions.
Restoring and re-purposing old and classic pianos is also a more sustainable way of purchasing the instruments. New pianos are made in overseas factories before being shipped to Australia. When we restore a piano, we work with traditional materials, using traditional methods, in our workshops. Our restoration team and technicians are all local and we do everything in-house. We keep things as local and sustainable as possible.
The Restoration Process
Piano restoration can generally be divided into three distinct areas:
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Exterior aesthetic restoration:
Exterior restoration often involves stripping or sanding back the original finish and then refinishing the piano, as well as removal and polishing of all brass work and hardware.
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Interior mechanical restoration:
Mechanical restoration often involves rebuilding the piano's mechanical components and moving parts, such as the piano action, keyboard and pedal mechanisms.
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Structural restoration:
Structural resotration often involves repair of the frame and/or soundboard, and restringing the piano in some cases.
