Keys sticking

Folks, I've just been given an old acoustic upright piano. Upon trying it, I've found that several of the keys don't make any sound when pressed. More specifically, flipping up the lid and watching inside shows that for some keys, the hammer doesn't quite make it to the strings when the key is pressed. On other keys, the hammer works the first time, but not the second or third time the note is pressed.

Any suggestions on how I might fix these problems? Is this something I can do myself, or do I need to hire a tuner/techician? Any guesses as to the cost to fix this sort of thing? Any pointers to web sites with pictures/documents explaining how to fix these things?

Many thanks in advance,

Cool, Gary! Any idea what year it was built?

There are websites out there for restoration and key mechanism replacement, but I don't know if the average guy can get in there and do it themselves...

You can see from my earlier posting, that my wife and I were also given an antique upright. Unfortunately, during the 1940's, people were taking the big uprights and cutting the front of the cabinet down and installing a 6' mirror across the top, so that the cabinet would look smaller and more modern, while still preserving the 'BIG' sound of the longer soundboard/strings. The reason this was unfortunate, is because it makes what could have been a really nice antique, all but worthless.

Best wishes with your new project!

I agree with you the mirrors made them ugly, but they are worthless either way you go. No antique value at all.

Larry Fletcher Pianos Inc Atlanta GA Dealer/technician

Doing the work of three men.....Larry, Curly, & Moe Want to visit another piano related messageboard? Go to the piano discussion group on my website:
Http://www.pianosinc.net

<< I agree with you the mirrors made them ugly >>

This is all relative to the subject sitting in front of them, not that I'm casting any aspersions here. (Remember, I've seen *your* picture.)

Yeah, but they didn't take my picture from my good side..........

Larry Fletcher Pianos Inc Atlanta GA Dealer/technician

Doing the work of three men.....Larry, Curly, & Moe Want to visit another piano related messageboard? Go to the piano discussion group on my website:
Http://www.pianosinc.net

Larry says:

<< they didn't take my picture from my good side.......... >>

So just exactly which side would be your ....

.....nevermind.

Yeah, but it DOES sound awfully nice... I've done a pretty decent job of restoring the cabinet, too. The cabinet has been badly abused over the years, but the piano workings seem to all be in good shape.

Hi Gary,

Call a tuner/tech...this is not a simple repair. More than likely, your action and keybed felt has suffered extensive moth damage and /or dampness.

If you feel that you want a do-it-yourself project, the following book is a good place to start. 'Piano Servicing, Tuning and Rebuilding: For the Professional, the Student, the Hobbyist' by Art Reblitz.

Also the following web site is helpful, it has many pictures of a project being done by one of our regulars...Dwain Lee.