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1916 Emerson Upright Rebuild

Category: Shop Work
Date: 2016-03-01

I recently had the pleasure of rebuilding an Emerson upright piano from 1916.  This particular piano had been in one family for the past 100 years.   As is often the case, a treasured family piano still looks wonderful, so my work on the case was simply to clean,  polish and replace some missing knobs.   The musical instrument, inside, however got a rather complete make-over!  With age it really wasn't sounding good or playing well.

002 Arrival at shop 8-11-15

Now when we open up the case of the 1916 Emerson, we see a new piano. How does it sound? Well the customer says it's wonderful! And I believe it's very close to what it was in 1916.

047 Completed hammer install

More Photos


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The top section of the treble bridge had many cracks which were causing poor tonality (false beats) in the sixth and seventh octaves. Here I'm preparing a new bridge cap which will provide the proper foundation for a "like new" sound. (Take me back to 1916)
The new bridge cap installed. The piano is now ready for restringing.
Restringing the treble section
Restringing is complete
installation of new key bushings. Well fitted, low friction bushings are important for a good touch response when playing.
Reconditioning the hammer catchers with new buckskin. Actually the original material was buckskin; the new material is ecsaine. Ecsaine replicates the good points of buckskin, while eliminating its imperfections. Restoring this part enables the quick repetition of notes.
New dampers are installed
New Renner hammers are being prepared for custom boring.

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--Duane McGuire
My work: McGuire Piano
© 2023 Duane McGuire