Full restoration that returns a beloved instrument to — or beyond — its original specification.
Bringing Instruments Back to Life
Considering piano restoration in Sri Lanka? A piano can be worth restoring for its musical character, craftsmanship, family history or sentimental value. Our piano restoration service begins with a careful assessment of the instrument and a clear explanation of what can realistically be achieved.
Depending on the piano, restoration may involve action work, hammer and damper replacement, string and tuning-pin work, soundboard or structural repairs, cabinet refinishing and final regulation and tuning. We recommend only the work that is justified by the instrument's condition and your goals. Master Ranjan Fernando assesses every restoration himself; the workshop work is carried out by him and the team he has trained. Not sure whether your piano is worth it? Start with a valuation or read what restoration costs. Our restoration work covers:
Restore when the instrument has sentimental or heritage value, when it is a quality make that would cost significantly more to replace new, or when the structural components (rim, soundboard, pin block) remain fundamentally sound.
Replace when the cost of restoration exceeds 60–70% of a comparable new instrument's value, or when structural damage is beyond economic repair.
Master Ranjan will assess your instrument honestly and give you an unbiased recommendation — even if that recommendation is to invest in a new instrument from our collection.
“Every piano that comes to us for restoration is treated as if it were a patient. We diagnose before we prescribe.”
— Master Ranjan Fernando
Inside the Welisara Workshop
Every stage of restoration is executed by hand using traditional acoustic techniques.
Touch & Response
Every key, hammer and damper is aligned and levelled by hand, restoring a balanced, responsive touch across all 88 keys.
Metal Refinishing
The cast-iron harp is stripped, primed and hand spray-gilded to a jeweller-grade finish that will not chip or dull over time.
Cabinet & Soundboard
Timber rims and bridges are inspected, re-seated and refinished to preserve the natural grain and the instrument's original tonal character.
Stringing & Scaling
Full restringing with German steel wire and hand-wound copper bass strings, scaled and seated for even tone across the register.
Restoration, Part by Part
The thin spruce panel that turns string vibration into sound. We repair cracks, re-glue loose ribs and restore crown where the board has flattened with age and humidity.
Bridges carry string vibration to the soundboard. Cracked bridge caps and loose bridge pins cause buzzing and weak tone, and are repaired or recapped.
Rusted or dull strings are replaced — individually or as a full restringing with new steel treble wire and copper-wound bass strings.
If the tuning pins no longer grip, the piano cannot hold a tune. Oversize pins or pinblock work restore that grip.
The thousands of moving parts between key and hammer. Worn centre pins, bushings, springs and felts are replaced and the action rebuilt.
Grooved or hardened hammer felt is reshaped, or the hammers are replaced, to bring back an even, singing tone.
Worn damper felt lets notes ring on. Dampers are refelted and regulated so each note stops cleanly.
Keys are re-bushed, levelled and re-weighted as needed, and chipped or yellowed key tops can be replaced.
Cabinet and case refinishing, veneer repair and hardware restoration, and the cast-iron plate can be re-gilded.
Squeaking, loose or ineffective pedals are rebuilt — trapwork, springs and linkages adjusted so each pedal works as it should.
After rebuilding, every key and hammer is adjusted for an even, responsive touch across all 88 notes.
Finally the hammers are voiced for an even tone and the piano is tuned — several times, as new strings settle.
How It Works
We discuss the instrument's history, condition, and your goals — heritage preservation, performance use, or resale value.
A full structural assessment of the rim, soundboard, pinblock, and action determines the true scope of work required.
Restringing, hammer reshaping, action rebuilding, and cabinet refinishing are carried out to the agreed scope and specification.
The fully restored piano is voiced, regulated, and play-tested across its entire range before it leaves our workshop.
You receive full documentation of the work performed, along with care guidance for your newly restored instrument.
The Advantages
Reshaped hammers and a regulated action recover the dynamic range and tonal richness the piano had when new.
A family heirloom or quality vintage make retains its sentimental and resale value rather than being discarded.
A properly restored piano can perform reliably for several more decades, often outlasting a comparable new instrument.
For a quality make, restoration frequently costs significantly less than purchasing a comparable new grand or upright.
Why Trust Us
Over four decades dedicated exclusively to piano care across Sri Lanka.
From vintage European instruments to modern Japanese and Korean grands.
Practical, hands-on skills passed on to a workshop team trained by Master Ranjan himself.
We will tell you honestly when restoration is — and isn't — the right investment for your instrument.
Common Questions
Our only showroom and workshop is in Welisara, Ragama. From there, Master Ranjan Fernando and the team he trained visit homes, schools and venues across Colombo and the Western Province — and further afield by appointment.
Tuning, repairs, restoration, moving and sales all come from the same team, so one call covers whatever your piano needs.
From the Knowledge Centre
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Bring your piano's story to us — we'll give you an honest assessment and a clear path forward.
