Bringing Back a 1913 Whitney Upright Player Piano—An Heirloom Restored
Brigham Larson Pianos
A special heirloom restoration!
What really stood out to me with this project wasn’t just the piano itself, it was the story behind it. This 1913 Whitney upright had been in the same family for over 100 years! The woman who first learned to play on it as a little girl is now 90, and her daughter reached out to see if we could restore it in time for her mom to play it again, at least one last time. This request really hit home for me. A piano like this isn’t just an instrument—it’s a living part of someone’s history. It holds memories, family traditions, the sound of childhood. Being trusted to bring something that personal back to life is an honor, and it’s the kind of work that reminds me why we do what we do at the shop.
Before & After Photos
Full Mechanical and Player System Rebuild
This was a full restoration from top to bottom. We replaced everything that wears out—strings, hammers, shanks, dampers, tuning pins, felt, leather—the whole works. On top of the full restoration, the action is fully regulated as well and has a responsive, even touch. We refinished the plate with automotive paint, and recapped both bridges to ensure solid bearing and optimal tone transfer.
The player system was quite complex! This model was built before the standard pneumatic layouts came along in the 1920's. This meant that everything needed to be rebuilt! We rebuilt the pneumatics, swapped out all the rubber tubing, made sure the bellows held a tight vacuum, and now—it plays just like it was originally intended to.
Cabinetry & Keywork
The cabinet is quarter-sawn oak, which is a premium cut known for its medullary rays and grain character. We refinished it, preserving the original decals and hardware. Our refinishing team did an excellent job matching the historical look!
The original ivory keytops, with natural ivory grain, were intact and we were able to clean and polish them, preserving them. We were also able to keep the origianl pedals, which were replated in our shop to keep the look consistent.
Why Projects Like This Matter
Restorations like this are why we do what we do. It’s not just about restoring function—it’s about preserving meaning. This wasn’t just a Whitney upright from 1913. It was the sound of a mother’s childhood, the center of a home, and a living part of a family’s story. Being trusted to bring something like that back to life is a real honor.
