Dear Blüthner

This is a short note about Ms. Blüthner's rebuilding process. She was born in the 1880s. Our shop is fortunate to have her rehauled from action, soundboard to refinishing. The refinishing job is down by Maggio Custom Refinishing:
https://maggiocustomrefinishing.com

The pictures above are taken by Mr. Jude Reveley, the shop owner. This is before Ms. Blüthner's operation.

The soundboard is made in house. Joe did a very nice job on wood selection and assembly. When the board is glued in, no matter how many clamps are used, it is never enough, never. One can always squeeze one more clamp in, just in case.

The bridge is then trimmt to height, lubricated with graphite, notched, and pinned. There are copper or stainless steel pins available. We love the old time looking of the copper. It is also because we are not young anymore.

The backaction is almost totally rebuilt. The rebuilder had fun knifing it apart. Very satisfying. The long wooden clamps on the top for underlevers are new. The rest is original. Look at that little underlever. Isn't it cute?

The trapwork is taken apart to be cleaned and resprayed. Our brown color don't much well with the case. No matter which brown one picks, it is always the wrong brown. Forget it. Flat black it is. Easy to touch up if damaged in the future.

The action is unique, as well. We did not find many learning materials on this type of action. It is mostly -- observe, disassemble, study, assemble, adjust, fail, bless somebody else's heart, and try it all over again. After over a hundred years of use, most of the felt is worn. fortunately we have blue colored replacements at the shop. Keep the color original.

Mr. Reveley has the entire piano strung all by himself. The damper guide rails are made new by him, too. New rail on new soundboard. The dampers are cleaned and refelted. We try every way to make them look how it was in her 140-year memory.

During the rebuilding process, the master refinishers at Maggio Custom Refinishing have the case and parts sanded and repaired. Layers and layers of finish is applyied. The rebuilders try to protect the piano surface. But dings and chips are inevitable. The masters just have to shake their heads, then repair over and over again ... and again. 

Finally, our gratitude to everyone who put energy into Ms. Blüthner's operation. Many thanks to the master refinishers: Nena, Jimmy, and Zlatko.