Antique piano owners often find themselves asking the same thing, “Is it worth it to restore my piano or should I get rid of it and buy a new one?”
It’s not an easy question, especially since you probably paid quite a lot of money for your piano or have a strong sentimental attachment to it.
Mumford Restoration has been repairing and restoring pianos since we were founded in 1982!
We understand pianos and we also understand our clients' questions and concerns about their pianos.
Is My Antique Piano Worth Restoring?
Bernard Mumford is very honest with every customer who asks if a piano restoration is a good investment.
He states, “A piano can be beautiful, but restoration will almost always outweigh the market value of the piano itself.”
And he’s not kidding. Take a look at Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
There are countless antique pianos being given away for free.
Pianos are large and exceedingly difficult to transport, so many modern homeowners feel that a piano just isn’t worth the inconvenience.
Bernard Mumford also cautions clients that antique pianos may not have the same sound quality as modern pianos.
He explains, “Some antique pianos were made as part of the process of developing the actions that today’s pianos use. You’ll have a piano in a beautiful rosewood case, but it has an action that is less refined than what we’re used to today. So, when you’re accustomed to playing modern pianos, playing an antique piano might be a frustrating experience. That’s why we have to have to talk to the customer about what the restoration can and can not do.”
Most customers choose to restore pianos that are part of their family history. These pianos are sentimental pieces, more than anything else.
Mumford notes that “We always want to communicate the reality of your instrument and what it needs, in comparison to the sentimental meaning. Which of those wins is the client’s decision.”
Photo Above: One of Mumford Restorations Piano specialists restores the action of an antique piano.
What Are the “Best” Brands of Antique Pianos?
Many older pianos are well-built, but some are truly exceptional.
Instruments made by respected manufacturers (such as Bechstein) were designed with extraordinary materials and then-cutting-edge mechanical engineering.
The most desirable antique pianos are known for their:
Construction quality
Materials (solid wood or veneers like rosewood)
Maker reputation
Original craftsmanship
Photo Above: An antique Knabe piano, after Mumford Restoration completely restored it.
Case Study: A Rosewood Bechstein Piano
A recent project illustrates how restoration can bring an antique piano back to life.
Take a look at our video to the video below to see every step of the process and hear from the client!
A client’s 1898 rosewood Bechstein piano originally belonged to her grandparents, classically trained musicians, who bought it when they first married.
It was passed down and the client and her brothers learned to play on this very piano.
Unfortunately, it gradually lost both its sound quality and visual presence over the decades.
The finish had dulled and it could no longer boast of the clear, bright sound that the client remembered.
Our client understood that although the piano was a valuable Bechstein, the restoration cost would outweigh the market value.
However, the piano’s sentimental value was incalculable and the client was determined to restore this special piece of family history.
Full inspection and cleaning of internal components
Repair and replacement of worn elements
Careful restoration of the exterior finish
The rosewood cabinet was stripped and lacquered, restoring its depth and richness without compromising the original material.
As the client observed: “It’s beautiful to see the meticulous way in which Mumford goes about the work: very precise, very systematic, and very diligent.”
By the end of the process, the piano once again matched both its visual and functional potential.
This lovely Bechstein piano is now fully restored, back home, and will someday be passed down to the client’s son, who is also an avid pianist!
Want to learn more? Our State magazine featured Mumford Restoration and this exact restoration in their November 2025 article "In the Groove."
What is the Difference Between Restoration vs. Replacement?
The restoration versus replacement debate often comes down to how you feel about your antique piano.
Small issues invariably arise during the life of a piano. Tuning and regular maintenance (which we outline in "Three Common Piano Problems") are expected, affordable expenses.
But what happens when your antique piano develops issues that require more specialized and costly interventions?
How much are you willing to invest in repairing and restoring your piano?
Clients are generally willing to budget to restore a cherished piece of family history.
After all, your grandparents only bought one piano when they got married. That makes your piano meaningful, unique, and worth restoring, if you’re willing.
However, if you bought your piano from your neighbor for $200, you may prefer to simply replace it with a new piano (or wait for a free Facebook Marketplace piano).
Above: An antique R.S. Howard piano that Mumford Restoration restored.
When Should I Preserve My Antique Piano?
When homeowners choose to restore a piano, they usually want to make it as functional and attractive as possible.
However, in the case of a museum or other organization that is capturing a historically-significant piano or other antique in an “as-is” state, preservation is the best choice.
A critical part of professional restoration is knowing what NOT to change.
The goal is not to make the piano look brand new, but rather to:
Preserve original materials
Maintain historical character
Restore usability and performance
Over-restoration can reduce authenticity, historical value, and market value.
How Do I Decide Whether to Restore My Antique Piano?
Restoration is always an investment.
You just have to be sure you’re willing to make that investment.
Bernard Mumford urges his clients to ask themselves:
What does this antique mean to me, personally?
Is there family history attached to it?
Am I willing to invest the money necessary to restore it?
If the answer to most of these is “yes,” then restoration is often the right path.
If the answer is “no,” Mumford suggests an extra question, “Am I just stuck and unsure of what to do?”
Sometimes we spend many years with pieces that we don’t love, but we keep them out of habit. It happens to all of us!
Bernard Mumford is always happy to help walk clients through the restoration vs replacement decision.
Above: An antique Knabe piano before restoration.
When Should I Call a Professional Piano Restorer?
Changes happen so gradually in antiques. It takes time to notice.
You should consider a professional evaluation if your piano exhibits:
persistent tuning instability
declining tone
visible finish wear
A specialist can determine:
what can be preserved
what needs repair
and whether restoration is a worthwhile investment
Above: Mumford Restoration's piano specialist and his assistant work on an antique piano.
Mumford Restoration and Piano Repair in Raleigh, North Carolina
Your existing maintenance routine helps prevent problems, but when a piano begins to decline, it’s time to consider restoration versus replacement.
Mumford Restoration’s specialists are experts in technical repairs as well as beautiful refinishes.
We do realize that restoration may not fit every client’s goals for their piece.
Mumford’s specialists are straightforward but sensitive when we discuss your piano’s repair and restoration needs.
We want to ensure that we are helping you make the best investment for you.
That can mean you restore your piano with us OR that you completely forego any work and simply buy a piano elsewhere.
No matter what, we ensure that our client’s needs come first.
Do you have an antique piano in need of repairs or restoration?
Call our specialists at 919-510-6310 to discuss your options or submit photos and request an evaluation via our online form.