Experience the Artistry of Our Restored Instruments

This is the starting point. A 1973 Fender Rhodes 88 key stage piano.  The Tolex is dry rotted and the top is scratched up.  The hardware is scuffed or tarnished and does not look all that good.  The piano does have new hammer tips, Damper felts and a stereo preamp from Vintage Vibe already installed.  

Let's get to work!

The action is pulled out of the case and the harp is removed for the installation of the miracle mod.  All prerequisites have been met before the miracle mod is installed.

Also, the keys are removed, one by one, and polished to look new again.

The piano is now reassembled and is patiently waiting for its new case!

The old Toles is removed and set aside.  It will be used for patterns for the new Tolex.  An imitation Tweed Tolex is used to give a real retro look to the piano.

The case has been cleaned, and the dings have been filled in with Bondo.  The case top is ready for the new Tweed Tolex!

The cases are now laid up on the covering table.  The Tolox has been precut using the old Tolex for a pattern.

Applying the Tolex in the reverse order of how it came off the cases is the only way to ensure the seams will line up and the overlapping pieces work properly in the application.  A water-based adhesive from the Tolex vendor is used to apply the Tolex.

After the Tolex is applied and has dried, the new hardware is applied.  When the old hardware was removed, measurements were taken and then used to mount the new hardware.  

Here the complete case is now ready for mounting the piano into it.  

We turn out attention to the top.  It is sanded, primed with a special plastic primer, and the base coat paint is applied.  The base coat is then wet sanded to achieve a smooth finish. Finally the clear coat is applied and polished to a fine shine.

Here is the finish product along with the cheek blocks.