Logo Patrick Brennan - Piano Tuner Montreal
Tuning excellence
At a fair price
Logo Patrick Brennan - Piano Tuner Montreal
Tuning excellence At a fair price
514-969-4849

Restoration of Player Pianos

An engineering marvel bringing legendary brand instruments back to life.

An expertise
Inherited from exceptional craftsmanship

The player piano is an engineering marvel that requires specific expertise. At my workshop, I specialize in the restoration of complete pneumatic systems.

The goal is to breathe new life into legendary brands like Heintzman, Lindsay, Langelier, Pratt, Willis, and many others.

Whether you are in Montreal, Laval, or on the South Shore, I travel to evaluate your instrument's condition and ensure its longevity.

Entrust your piano to a pneumatic craftsman.

Player piano installed in a rustic cabin

Precision work

Restoring a pneumatic piano involves several vital components.

Roll-operated pianos

Restoration of the pneumatic motor and the tracker bar to guarantee an accurate interpretation of your music rolls.

Bellows and valves

Meticulous replacement of leathers and felts to ensure perfect airtightness and optimal sound dynamics.

Antique action

Fine adjustment of levers and components specifically dedicated to complex automatic reproduction systems.

History of Pianos Coulombe and Patrick Brennan

The legacy of expertise preserved from generation to generation.

Henri Coulombe in his workshop in 1985
Henri Coulombe as a young man
Henri Coulombe working on a piano mechanism

Henri Coulombe (1924-2009)

Henri Coulombe began his career at the age of 14. He learned the assembly and repair of player pianos at Donat Langelier on Ste-Catherine Street, which distributed major brands of the era (Langelier, Pratte, Strathmore...).

In the 1930s, he returned to school at the Teccart Institute to learn electronics, preparing for the arrival of electronic organs (like the famous Connsonata) in churches.

After Mr. Langelier's passing in the 60s, he continued as a specialized technician. In the early 70s, he founded Service d'orgues Coulombe enr., becoming a major contractor, notably for the newcomer: the Yamaha company.

In the mid-70s, facing growing demand, Henri added the restoration of player pianos and harmoniums to his services. It was at this time that he initiated his son Serge, who made it his life's specialty.

During the 80s, they formed Pianos Coulombe et fils enr. For 25 years, they became the absolute reference for merchants and tuners in Montreal. Henri Coulombe passed away in 2009 at 85, leaving behind an undisputed school of rigor.

In memory of Serge Coulombe

Heir to a rare knowledge passed down by his father, Serge Coulombe dedicated his life to restoring player pianos with rigor, patience, and humility.

A discreet but essential craftsman, he perpetuated a tradition from the great Montreal school, making Pianos Coulombe et fils a respected reference for over 25 years (until his retirement in 2020).

Now retired, Serge leaves behind much more than restored instruments: he leaves a way of working, a standard of quality, and a profound respect for the trade.

Portrait of Serge Coulombe in his workshop
Patrick Brennan smiling, piano tuner and pneumatic restorer

The successor: Patrick Brennan

This work now continues through Patrick Brennan, who ensures the continuity of the work and the future of the player piano in Quebec.

Patrick began with a recognized master technician, developing a rigorous and sensitive approach early on. Acquiring Michael Raybould's clientele was a significant first step.

Over the years, he took over from several colleagues, including the famous Le Palais de la Musique store. He also involved himself in transmitting his art by training, about ten years ago, the tuners behind the Les Pianos Publics (Public Pianos) project.

Today, he still works with passion in artistic circles, television sets, concert halls, and private homes.

Serge Coulombe's invaluable mentoring was decisive in acquiring this rare expertise. Armed with this legacy, Patrick now offers the same level of precision for pneumatic restoration.

The restoration process

Restoring a player piano is a specialized intervention that affects both the traditional piano action and its automatic pneumatic system.

Over time, tubes, rubber hoses, bellows, and seals deteriorate, leading to pressure loss, reading irregularities, and malfunctions of the roll mechanism.

The goal is to recover an instrument capable of working accurately in both automatic and manual playing modes, respecting its original design.

Restoration consists of replacing pneumatic components, restoring optimal airtightness, repairing the reading mechanism, and then finely adjusting the overall piano action (keys, hammers, regulation).

A well-executed restoration preserves the piano's heritage value, ensures its long-term reliability, and breathes life back into a unique instrument, at the crossroads of music and mechanics.

Detailed view of the complex action and pneumatic system of a player piano

Ready to make your player piano sing?

For a complete evaluation: Tell me about your instrument. I will be happy to evaluate the work needed to restore its former glory.

Specialized expertise and honest quoting.
514-969-4849 TEXT

"We take care of your piano. You enjoy the music."