1920 Gulbransen Heirloom Player Piano Restoration: Full Vintage Overhaul
Brigham Larson PianosRestoring a heirloom piano is always a special journey, but bringing a 1920 Gulbransen Player Piano back to life is an incredible experience. This particular instrument was a cherished childhood piano for a local Utah client, and after decades of heavy use and love, it was ready for a complete, top-to-bottom overhaul.
When we tackle a full restoration at Brigham Larson Pianos, we break the process down into three main components: the cosmetics, the action, and the player mechanism.
1. The Outside: Exterior & Finish
Cosmetically, this Gulbransen had seen better days—showing decades of scratches and surface wear. We completely refinished the cabinet back to a deep, rich stain chosen to match the owner's fondest childhood memories. We even restored the back of the piano—because even though it usually sits against a wall, every square inch deserves to look beautiful. The hardware, pedals, and gold plate were also thoroughly prepped and refinished, bringing back the piano’s original elegance.
2. The Inside: Strings, Action & Tone
Before restoration, the piano suffered a severe loss of tone, primarily due to old, dead bass strings.
- Custom German Bass Strings: Bass strings are wound in copper to add mass, allowing high tension for projection while maintaining a rich, low pitch. We replaced these with custom, handcrafted duplicates made by master string maker Gregor Heller in Germany.
- Tuning Pins & Plate: All new tuning pins were installed, torqued perfectly between 100 and 120 lbs to ensure rock-solid tuning stability.
- Full Action Rebuild: The original hammers were severely grooved from years of playing. We installed brand new hammers, shanks, hammer butts, and dampers, paired with fresh felt and cloth throughout the entire action structure.
3. The Player Mechanism
Only about six to eight of the roughly 100 pianos we restore each year are vintage pneumatic pump players like this one.
- Airtight Bellows: Restoring an original player system requires precision craftsmanship. All the bellows were meticulously rebuilt to ensure they are 100% airtight for maximum responsiveness.
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Cosmetic Details: Even the hidden internal player components were painted and detailed so the underside looks just as pristine as the rest of the instrument.
A Childhood Memory Made New Again
Seeing a beloved family heirloom transformed from a worn-out casing into a stunning, vibrant musical instrument is why we do what we do. With its gorgeous new finish, crisp action, airtight player system, and rich German bass strings, this 1920 Gulbransen is ready to make memories for generations to come.
