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I've been wondering what happens to a piano's sound when it gets a total rebuild. Does it become something new, relative to the person performing the rebuild? Do rebuilders use the same parts a new piano of the same brand would have? Would a M&H get one soundboard while a Steinway would get something different?

If a piano needs a total rebuild, we should all hope that it will sound different when finished. After all, if a person likes the way the piano sounds, why should rebuilding be considered?

I always use a particular type of soundboard and rib stock, because I am familiar with it's working characteristics and know what to expect. Some piano makers have changed the species of spruce in their boards. Perhaps for availabilty reasons, maybe for cost, maybe for a change in design philosophy.

New parts from a manufacturer may not be the best choice for an older instrument. For instance, I may use Renner whips in a Mason & Hamlin action but I'll most likely use Abel Hammer shanks as Abel makes a better geometry shanks for the standard Wessell Nickel and Gross action of 80 years ago. If I'm having a new keyset made I have the option of redesigning the key geometry and using a number of other options.

So the answer is, "It depends"

Perhaps if you could shine a little more light on what is concerning you, it would be easier to give you more information.

Thank you, Dale for responding to my query! I'm less concerned than curious. In my search for a piano, I've not discounted the "pre-loved" instruments. I've noticed there are many M&H and Steinway rebuilds and my train of thought has led me to wonder how the sound changes in a rebuilt piano as compared to a new piano of the same manufacturer/model. Is it possible that each rebuilder would create a sound unique to his/her choice of parts/soundboard? Would all pianos a particualr rebuilder completes have a similar sound?

when l undertake a complete rebuild l always explain to the customer that the piano will sound and play completley diffrent to what it does now.whatever make of piano you are restoreing your aim should be to bring it back to how it was when new,whilst keeping the pianos indervidual uniquness in tact(you dont want to try and make a bluthner sound like a steinway
!).l always have hammers bored to patern and will replace felts,leathers and springs with replacements that are as near to origional as possible this will ensure your piano will play as it should.you will find most pre made springs are not as fine as they used to be and there is not a great diffrence in hammer felts as there was in the past.it is pretty much impossible to find relacement parts of a quality to match what you will be replaceing but there are still some excellent bass string makers.as for your question about wether diffrent rebuilders have a "trade mark" sound,the answere has got to be no!!..if all my rebuilds sounded the same l would be mortified!...by the way,great question!

The final result of the complete rebuild piano greatly depends on the person performing the rebuilding work. Mason & Hamlin as well as Steinway pianos are handmade instruments. Even so, these manufacturers use advance technology in their piano production. Specifications for certain parts used in these instruments are not available for common rebuilder. For instance, Steinway & Sons soundboard makers use old traditional techniques (or secrets of the trade) that are passed from one artisan to another.

In addition, final outcome of the sound highly depends on the quality of the parts used during restoration. It is very hard to predict the outcome of the sound quality that the piano will have, but even more complicated to distinguish the sound outcome if the rebuilder used different parts from different manufacturer. It means that the rebuilder is still on a try out stage of rebuilding. The most respectable companies nowadays use Renner parts. They are different by their wood and felt quality. As a result, it is to be expected for the sound to be different.

For the restoration of the piano, a rebuilder must have five of the following:

1. skill: ability in performing high-level of work in piano rebuilding
2. equipment: tools and devices to help achieve uniformity as well as quality in restoration
3. technology: knowledge of all aspects of piano building and understanding the use of tool
4. parts: essential materials and components for rebuilding
5. will: the most important is a motivation of the rebuilder to complete quality job

A rebuilder, who follows all of the above, will bring the piano close to its original condition or even better.

Renner makes good parts and hammers. So do Steinway, Abel, and others. Plenty of respectable rebuilders use one or more of these in their restorations. Folks who are well beyond 'try out' stage.

all decent pianos are "hand made",as rich said the best parts are made by renner and abel(renner make steinway actions)like l said if you want the piano you are restoring to be like it was when new.. keep everything as origionall as possible.

I just finished a 1915 Mason & Hamlin 6' Restoration included restringing,High gloss rubbed finish in black,The only thing that was not replaced because it was still in very good shape was the soundboard and bridges.The cracks that were there did not go through when dried out.The customer also agreed before I proceeded with the restoration. I am making this piano available to playing and viewing whoeve wishes to see it. it is a remarkable sounding piano and the finish will be done in two weeks.The sound is unique to this piano and all work has been done to preserve the original inegrity of M&H, right down to the decals.