Does my piano get better with age? Like a Stradivarius violin?

Does my piano get better with age?  Like a Stradivarius violin?

The reality is that pianos do not age like violins. Violins are simple wooden chambers that can improve with age; pianos are highly complex, mechanical instruments experiencing massive internal stress that naturally wears out and requires periodic rebuilding.

The Violin vs. Piano Dilemma

• String Tension: A piano’s cast-iron frame holds over 220 strings, creating roughly 40,000 lbs of tension. In comparison, a violin has around 50 lbs of string tension, only .125% of the tension a piano has.  
• Moving Parts: Pianos have over 10,000 parts. Felt compresses, leather dries out, and hammers groove and harden, leading to a degraded tone.
• Soundboard: Not only do the strings create 40,000 lbs of tension in the piano, they also push down on top of the soundboard. This is called downbearing. The downbearing in pianos ranges from 400-600 lbs. Imagine that much weight pushing down on your soundboard which is only 3/8” thick,  24/7.  This pressure combined with constant tension, means piano wood weakens and crushes over time rather than just "mellowing" with age as a violin might.  

Maximizing Your Piano's Lifespan

• Environmental Control: Pianos are extremely sensitive to their surroundings. Pianos fare best in stable conditions. Keeping the temperature and humidity steady in your home is very important.  
• Regular Servicing: Pianos should be tuned at least once or twice a year to keep the 20 ton string tension balanced. Regular service involves minor adjustments like voicing and regulating.
• Restoration: Most unrestored pianos older than 40-60 years reach the end of their optimal musical life. So if yours is an heirloom piano, restoring it (replacing strings, hammers, soundboards) is possible!

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