Picture Album V

Piano Tuning Phoenix by Wes Flinn RPT

Mythological Greek Phoenix

Picture Gallery V

— by Wes Flinn RPT

Piano Tuning Phoenix Picture Gallery V –

This Album features a 1925 – 51″ Gulbransen Full Upright Custom Refurbishing Project


This Album features a

1925 – 51″ Gulbransen Full Upright
Custom Refurbishing Project
$6500 — Sold

Story of this piano.

The owner of this piano was actually the one who made this refurbishing project work well. They had owned the piano for about 25 years, and did not know its full history, but it was working reasonably well when it was purchased, and they had grown to like it as a piece of furniture as well as to like the bigger sound a large upright produces. It had reached the end of its performance life, however, just like an old automobile, and she knew that. She had looked at new pianos, considered other used ones as replacements, but the thought still lingered that the family liked this one better than the alternatives. She had also come to know that refurbishing an old piano might be more expensive even than purchasing a new one, that it would take a lot of new parts and a lot of technical work to make it work again. Finally the family came to the agreement that they really did want the old piano to play once again. Another important decision was they did not want a new shiny finish put on it, but rather, keep the “antique look”.

1925 - 51" Gulbransen Full Upright Piano
All of these factors above are necessary for an owner to accept if a piano refurbishing project is going to be a success. And she had already figured out this scenario before I got there! This piano needed the equivalent of those essentials that make a car to operate again, like new tires, new brakes, belts, motor parts and some body parts, etc. We had to replace hammer heads, damper heads, bass strings, rehab all the warped keys, replace bridle straps, restore the pinblock, completely re-regulate the action, and restore the tuning with a remedial tuning procedure. The soundboard and bridge needed work also, but the case parts were still solidly attached. And the finish was actually still intact and needed only refurbishing with stains and gloss. The overall result was truly “gangbusters” — the piano responded beautifully and came to life again in a big way once all repairs were made. The Gulbransen piano line was a very good product in its time, and the fact that it only took a little more than replacement of expendable parts to make it work again proves this point. The hard part for the modern age to understand and accept is that almost any physical, mechanical machine (like a piano) can be made new again, unlike our “plug and play, then throw away” electronic equipment we live with today. What a difference a century of time makes in our life-styles from then until now!
1925 - 51" Gulbransen Full Upright Piano
1925 - 51" Gulbransen Full Upright Piano

1925 - 51" Gulbransen Full Upright Piano
1925 - 51" Gulbransen Full Upright Piano

1925 Gulbransen
51″ Upright Piano

See Photo Gallery

To see Owner Review on Google: Search “Wes Flinn RPT” on Google, Select Wes Flinn reviews link, then scroll to “Marilyn S.”

Contact Wes Flinn Review Us on Google Review Us on Yelp Visit Us on Facebook