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Complete Piano Service
         816-587-1544

Rebuilding an upright is not
economically practical, but
it does restore a connection
to the past.

McPhail Upright

(McPhail Upright rosewood case circa 1880)

It seems everyone can remember sitting on their
grandmother's lap in front of the piano while trying
to master that iconic standard "Chop Sticks". After
her passing, the piano was banished to one of her
children's garage with the hope of someday rekindling
memaw's memory for another generation.

The good news is that, in most circumstances, it can be
restored to showroom condition and play as if it were new.
The bad news is that even after extensive restoration
and expense, the piano will have little to no market value.
However to some, the upright is a family heirloom, and
keeping it in the family for another couple of generations
is preferred over the purchase of a new one.

Upright cabinet and strings

1 / 12
Start of the project
The start of something big
2 / 12
Soundboard cracks
Soundboard cracks
3 / 12
piano case dismantled
Strings, tuning pins and keybed removed
4 / 12
soundboard cracks repaired
Soundboard cracks repaired (Glued & Screwed)
5 / 12
making string pattern
"Making a string pattern
6 / 12
restring a piano
"The start of restringing
7 / 12
pitch raising
Pitch Raising (Chipping)
8 / 12
Keybed installed
Keybed and keybed felt installed
9 / 12
repairing the bottom board
Repairing the bottom board
10 / 12
case fully assembled
Piano case fully assembled
11 / 12
Ready to be played
Ready for playing
12 / 12
name on the fallboard
They don't build them like they used to

Upright action rebuilding

1 / 23
original actions
Original action
2 / 23
dismantling piano action
Dismantling the piano action
3 / 23
Scraping off the old felt
Scraping off the old felt
4 / 23
Rebushing the keys
Rebushing the keys
5 / 23
making leather punchings
Making leather punchings
6 / 23
replacing hammer springs
Replacing hammer springs
7 / 23
replacing jack springs
Replacing jack springs"
8 / 23
Cutting new lifter felt
Cutting new lifter felt"
9 / 23
gluing new backcheck felt
Gluing new backcheck felt
10 / 23
drilling new hammer heads
Drilling new hammer heads
11 / 23
hanging hammers
Hanging hammers (1)
12 / 23
hanging hammers
Hanging hammers (2)
13 / 23
repinning saddle flange
Repinning a saddle flange
14 / 23
assemling action
Assembling action (1)
15 / 23
assemling action
Assembling action (2)
16 / 23
assemling action
Assembling action (3)
17 / 23
assemling action
Assembling action (4)
18 / 23
assemling action
Assembling action (5)
19 / 23
action assembled
Action fully assembled
20 / 23
regulating dampers
Regulating dampers
21 / 23
leveling keys
Leveling keys
22 / 23
regulating action
Regulating action
23 / 23
tuning the upright
Final tuning






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                     Servicing the
                    Kansas City • Gladstone • Parkville • Leawood • Overland Park
                    Metropolitan area
                    with
                    Tuning • Repairing • Rebuilding



                    Jones Piano House

                         5742 N Lenox Ave
                         Kansas City, MO 64151
                         816.587.1544