February 2024 by JAMES MCLEAN
I'm a bit of a logical thinker so here goes my piano buying journey! I had a Yamaha C3, fairly worn out, I was used to the brash nature of it (worn hammers etc), but I could still get a nice sound from it, nevertheless I decided to look for something a little more mellow. I visited the local showroom & tried many new & old pianos. I didn't like any of the old ones but I did love a new Bechstein but unfortunately they are very expensive. So I thought I'd simply look for used Bechstein & hope the sound was similar. I found 2 and travelled a couple of hours in different directions to try them but they were nowhere near the sound & feel of the new one even though they were only 10/15 years old. So, back to square one. Not knowing where to go next, I'd kind of written off old 'restored' pianos because they just sounded 'dead' but then I came across Piano Restorations on-line and followed them a while to see what they did. I became aware of the extensive renewal of a lot of the parts which can wear out & decided I should at least visit and give them a try. I called Paul Leverett & he was happy to show me around his lovely workshop & let me try a restored Bechstein and a few Bluthners. He left me alone to play until my heart was content & I fell in love with a 1910 Bluthner. Fortunately, I was able to agree there & then to purchase it and since getting it home (less than a week later!), I am absolutely over the moon with it. The sound is so pure and authentic, I'm convinced that I couldn't have afforded the quality of sound by going down the new piano route - although obviously I appreciate a lot of this is down to personal preference. If you are on a piano buying journey, even if sceptical, it has to be worth a visit just to see and try what they do, I very much recommend it. Thanks again Paul...
October 2021 by Charlotte Grace
I had a small issue with glue coming away from some keys meaning key caps had slipped (making my piano unplayable).Paul and the team were friendly and able to resolve the issue much quicker than I was expecting, and I am so grateful!I am planning to have the whole piano restored in the future and I will absolutely be having it looked after here.
October 2021 by marcin szklarek
Great piano shop. Very skilful staff. Lots of knowledge about pianos.
October 2020 by Graham Johnson
Best place for an experience your piano will never forget
October 2020 by Jeremy Drew
Fantastic. The only people for proper piano work.
October 2020 by Tim Izatt
Competent staff, skilled workers quick and good handling skills
October 2019 by Dorothy Wilson-Longfils
Excellent company, great service. Wonderful services and fantastic pianos.
October 2017 by Paul M Hart (Freewheel)
Their regulation and in particular toning and voicing is second to none. Perhaps why they restore for Bluethner UK.
October 2015 by Ruth Rosenfelder
The Bluthner baby grand piano that was a wedding present to me from my parents has been with me for 50 years. Recently, it was in desperate need of a complete overhaul and had become impossible to play. Piano Restorations worked on it over the summer and I've just taken delivery of it. The transformation is extraordinary; not only does it look marvellous, it is a joy to play.I had been warned that it would feel and sound strange, but what has actually happened in this instance is that the action and tone have been restored to the way they were before the instrument's decline. With their masterly craftsmanship the members of Piano Restorations have given me back my beloved instrument in its original form. Many thanks.
