Features
Restoration - What is Involved? 
The most commonly replaced parts are the hammers, which develop grooves where they impact the strings causing misalignment or even breaking. The felt can often be reshaped but may need to be replaced. Depending on the condition of the hammers, either the hammer-heads, or the whole hammer assembly may need to be replaced. This is not a big job, but it can dramatically improve the sound of the piano. Other action parts undergo normal aging and wear, but do not usually need to be replaced. Inexpensive parts, such as new felts, bushings, or key pins are usually all that is required.
Another common problem with older pianos is chipped keys. This is not only unsightly, but can make the piano very uncomfortable to play. Replacing key tops is relatively inexpensive, and makes a world of difference to the look and playability of the piano.
Loose tuning pins can be caused by changes in humidity, poor tuning technique, or a damaged pin block. Depending on the condition of the pin block, the problem can often be corrected by repinning the piano with larger pins. Some technicians use chemical pin tighteners, which expand the wood around the pin to correct this problem. Due to the severe damage that may occur to the pin block, Irene Besse Keyboards does not use these chemical agents.
Good strings (when properly installed) can perform well for many years. Although restringing is relatively costly, the difference in sound is like night and day. Poor strings can ruin the sound of an otherwise beautiful piano.
Soundboard and bridge repairs can be fairly complicated, and are often the deciding factor as to whether the piano is worth fixing. To fix a cracked soundboard, the cracked area must be removed and replaced to restore the resonant qualities. Or, the entire soundboard must be replaced. A "quick fix" method involves driving wedge-shaped shims into the soundboard, but this method is ineffective in restoring the tonal quality of the piano
