How Long Can a Piano Last?

When faced with an old piano—often passed down from generation to generation—I’m sometimes asked:"Can this piano still be played, or is it beyond repair?"

The answer is never automatic. Before deciding, the instrument needs a thorough inspection.

Let’s take a look at what influences a piano’s lifespan, what factors can extend or shorten it, and find out how long a piano can last.

A General Idea: Around 100 Years…

People often say that a piano lasts about 100 years. But this average is misleading:

Some French pianos (especially Gaveau) from the 1920's are still in excellent condition a century later.

On the other hand, some low-end or poorly maintained pianos (especially certain Chinese brands) can be unplayable after barely 10 years.

Lifespan depends on build quality, maintenance, storage conditions… and a bit of luck.

Some century-old pianos still look and sound amazing!

Some pianos from the 1920's still sound amazing...

What Ages (and Can Be Easily Replaced)

Everything in a piano ages, but some parts are easier to replace than others:

·       The cabinet: This can easily be restored (repaired, sanded, refinished) by a skilled cabinetmaker.

·       Felts: Over time they harden and absorb less noise, which results in clicks or squeaks. They can be replaced easily and at low cost.

·       Hammers: Repeated strikes flatten the hammer heads, leaving deep grooves. This makes the sound harder, more metallic. But careful reshaping (possible 4–5 times during the piano’s life) restores their profile and tone for decades more.

·       The keyboard and small action parts: With age, these may lose precision, but with proper regulation a piano can still play quite well even with older parts.

Strings: The Patina of Time

Strings oxidize and lose tonal purity—much like the way an older person’s voice becomes rougher.

This is part of an old piano’s character: a less pure tone, but not necessarily unpleasant.

Bass strings (wound strings) lose power as their copper winding slackens. Sometimes they can be improved by twisting them several turns in the direction of the winding—often with surprisingly good results.

Sometimes a piano can no longer be saved...

When a Piano Can No Longer Be Saved…

Some serious failures can mark the end of the road for a piano:

·       A cracked soundboard

The soundboard amplifies and colors the tone. For a concert instrument, a crack usually means retirement. For a family piano, the impact depends on the size and location of the crack. Sometimes, even with a less warm or powerful tone, the instrument remains playable.

·       A cracked pinblock

The pinblock holds the tuning pins that keep the strings in tension. If it cracks, the pins can no longer hold—some strings go slack immediately and tuning becomes impossible. Unless major repairs are done (often not cost-effective), the piano can no longer be tuned.

It can still serve as a beautiful piece of furniture… and a stand for family photos! 😉

Full Restoration: Always Possible

Even a very worn piano can be fully restored. This involves:

·       Completely dismantling the action;

·       Removing all the strings;

·       Repairing or replacing the soundboard;

·       Replacing the pinblock;

·       Installing new tuning pins and a full set of new strings.

Often the restoration also includes replacing many other components: the keyboard, hammers, dampers, or parts of the action.

This is done when the piano justifies it—either because it’s historic, exceptional, or holds strong sentimental value.

👉 The cost: A full restoration typically ranges from €6,000 to €20,000, and can be even higher for some concert grands.For an ordinary piano, this usually costs far more than the instrument’s value. Restoration is only undertaken when it’s truly worth it.

Conclusion: A Piano Lives As Long As It’s Cared For

A piano’s lifespan depends on its maintenance, original build quality, and repairs over time.

While some pianos end their days as beautiful pieces of furniture full of memories, many can keep making music for decades if regularly cared for by a technician.

📩 If you’re wondering about the condition or remaining life of your piano, I can inspect it and give you an honest assessment—whether it’s time for repairs or a well-earned gentle retirement.