A complete Steinway restoration replaces the soundboard, pinblock, strings, and action, and includes refinishing, regulation, and voicing. Jeremy Duckles of Supreme Pianos in Fishkill, NY explains each step and the 6–12 month process.
Quick answer: A complete Steinway restoration is a full rebuild of the piano, not a repair. At Supreme Pianos of New York in Fishkill, it includes a new soundboard, a new pinblock, new bridge caps, complete restringing with new tuning pins and agraffes, new action parts, a rebuilt damper and pedal system, new keytops, bushings, felts and leathers, a hand-refinished cabinet, and final regulation and voicing. It takes 6 to 12 months, uses genuine Steinway parts only, and is carried out by just two or three technicians per piano, the way the original Steinway craftsmen worked.
Restoration, refurbishing, and repair are not the same thing
These three words are often used as if they were interchangeable. They are not, and the difference matters when you are comparing quotes.
- Repair fixes one problem: a broken string, a sticking key, a noisy pedal.
- Refurbishing (or reconditioning) improves what is already there: cleaning, minor parts replacement, touch-up work, and regulation to make an aging piano play better for a time.
- Complete restoration returns the piano to its original musical and structural condition by replacing the components that age, wear, and fatigue — the soundboard, pinblock, strings, and action — and refinishing the cabinet. Done properly, a restored vintage Steinway does not merely play again. It performs the way it did when it left the factory, and it will continue to do so for decades.
Why vintage Steinways are worth restoring
The instruments built from the late 1800s through the 1950s are the most coveted in our trade, and for good reason. During that golden age, Steinway was not building on a modern assembly line. Each piano was crafted at a small station by two or three master craftsmen working intimately on one instrument, much like a skilled luthier. The woods were superb, the rims were built to last centuries, and the designs have never been improved upon — only imitated.
That is why we replicate the same approach. At Supreme Pianos, only two or three expert technicians work on each piano, combining old-world craftsmanship with modern precision. It is slower. It is also the only way we know to produce a restored instrument that can surpass the original.
The restoration process, step by step
1. Evaluation and a written plan. Every restoration begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the soundboard, pinblock, bridges, strings, action, and cabinet. You receive a personalized restoration plan before any work begins, and we document every step of the process as it proceeds.
2. The belly: soundboard, pinblock, and bridges. The soundboard is the piano's amplifier, and an old board that has lost its crown cannot be coaxed back to life. Every vintage Steinway we restore receives a new soundboard of premium Sitka spruce, hand-selected for grain density and acoustic resonance, along with a new pinblock, new bridge caps, and a rebronzed harp (the cast-iron plate).
3. Complete restringing. We install new strings throughout, with new tuning pins and new agraffes. This is what gives a restored piano its clarity, sustain, and tuning stability.
4. The action. Worn action parts are replaced, key bushings and key-frame felts are renewed, keytops are replaced, and felts and leathers are replaced throughout. The action is then regulated with precision, so the touch is even from the lowest bass note to the top treble. (If you want to understand one part of this stage in depth, read our Journal article on piano hammer replacement.)
5. Dampers and pedals. The damper system is reconditioned and the pedal system rebuilt, so the piano stops the sound as cleanly as it produces it.
6. The cabinet. The case receives a complete, hand-rubbed lacquer refinishing. On art-case instruments, this stage is an art in itself: the finish must reveal the natural beauty of rare veneers and decorative work, never bury it.
7. Voicing and final tuning. Last comes the work you actually hear. The piano is voiced for tonal balance and musical responsiveness, tuned repeatedly as the new strings settle, and played, listened to, and refined until it sounds like a Steinway again — because it is one, in every part that matters.
How long does a Steinway restoration take?
A complete restoration typically takes 6 to 12 months. The range depends on the model, the condition of the cabinet, and the extent of structural work required. Rushing a restoration is how soundboards get forced and finishes get thin. We would rather give you a piano that performs beautifully for the next fifty years than one that was finished quickly.
What does a Steinway restoration cost?
There is no honest single figure, because no two century-old pianos arrive in the same condition. Cost depends on the model and size, the state of the soundboard and pinblock, the action's condition, and the cabinet work involved. What we can promise is transparency: after the evaluation, you will know exactly what your piano needs, what it will cost, and why — before you commit to anything.
How do I know if my Steinway is a candidate for restoration?
Ask three questions. Does the piano have a cracked or flattened soundboard, or tuning pins that no longer hold? Does the action feel uneven, heavy, or unresponsive no matter how it is regulated? And is the instrument itself worth saving — a vintage Steinway, a quality grand from a respected maker, or a family heirloom with a history? If the answer to the last question is yes, the first two are exactly what restoration exists to fix. Pianos from the 1850s to the present pass through our workshop; the oldest often respond the most dramatically.
Frequently asked questions
Do you use genuine Steinway parts? Yes, exclusively. We use authentic Steinway parts and materials in every restoration, preserving the integrity and value of the instrument for generations. Our technicians are trained directly by Steinway & Sons.
Will a restored Steinway be as good as a new one? In the ways that matter most — tone, touch, and structural life — a properly restored golden-age Steinway stands comparison with any new piano, because its rim, plate, and design come from an era of hand craftsmanship that modern production does not replicate. Our Journal article "New vs. Restored Piano: Which Should You Buy?" walks through that comparison in detail.
How many pianos have you restored? Supreme Pianos has restored more than 100 pianos over more than 40 years in business, serving professional musicians, private collectors, institutions, and families in the Hudson Valley, the Northeast, and internationally.
Can you restore pianos other than Steinway? Yes. Steinway restoration is our specialization and our passion, and we are experienced in all other makes and models.
Where is the restoration work done? At our workshop in Yonkers and showroom in Fishkill, NY, with specialized stages such as soundboard and refinishing work carried out by the master craftsmen we have worked with for decades.
Ready to talk about your Steinway?
If you have a vintage Steinway that has gone quiet, uneven, or unplayable, do not assume its best years are behind it. Call Supreme Pianos of New York at (845) 298-8872, or visit our piano restoration page, and let us evaluate what your instrument can become.
Jeremy Duckles is the owner of Supreme Pianos of New York in Fishkill, NY. A master piano technician with more than 40 years of experience and training connected to Steinway & Sons and the Manhattan School of Music, he specializes in the complete restoration of vintage Steinway grand pianos.