C Bechstein Model V or B (6ft8in), C Bechstein Model A or M (5ft10in-6ft) , `Antique Piano' (early spinets, clavichords, square pianos, early harpsichords)
The business, (which was to become Courtney Pianos), was created by its founder, David Hogben, & started by offering a tuning service and minor repairs.
1977
Courtney Pianos became registered, moved to its first workshop, started selling second-hand pianos.
1980
C.P. moved to a larger workshop about 5 miles South-West of Oxford. The quality of its restored pianos vastly improved, and C.P. offered a restoration service.
1989
The firm was approached by messrs. Haken & Bell Ltd, a large music shop, with a view to merging the businesses in order to create a comprehensive piano-based concern.
1990
Just 2 weeks before signing the contracts, Haken & Bell went into receivership. Had the merger taken place, this could have been the end of C.P. too. A very lucky escape indeed !
1991
C.P. opened its shop/workshop in Botley Road, Oxford, and increased its range of services to include selling new as well as traditional restored pianos. Rental of pianos was also introduced, and sales of restored grands were actively promoted.
Today
The business continues to flourish. We remain dedicated to our high standards of workmanship, and careful monitoring of instruments offered for sale will hopefully ensure many future years of service to the world of pianos.
Services
Who Are We ?
Courtney Pianos are specialists in restoration of older, traditional pianos, particularly the better-known makes & models built between the 1880s-1940s. Our business covers most of the UK.
What Else Do We Do ?
Supply of fully-restored Traditional & Antique Pianos
Supply new & second-hand modern-style pianos
Rental & Hire-&-Buy schemes
Specialists in damage assessment for Insurance purposes
What Do We Not Do ?
Cut corners in the quality of our restoration work
Sell "old bangers" (old pianos in poor condition)
Sell cheap or poorly constructed new pianos (many have German-sounding names, but originate in China or the former eastern bloc countries)
Supply digital keyboards/electric "pianos" or organs
Deal in early keyboard instruments (clavichords, harpsichords, or pre-1870s pianos).
Terms & conditions
Our Terms & Guarantees
(Q)How long do you guarantee your work ?
(A) All our work is guaranteed for five years; however, the structural integrity of a restored piano (i.e. soundboard, wrestplank, bridges, frame etc.) is guaranteed for one year as we cannot be held liable for future events outside our control.
(Q)What does this apply to ?
(A) All our restoration work, and all pianos offered for sale.
(Q)Does your guarantee apply to infestations, such as woodworm or moth ?
(A) All our work in our restored instruments is checked carefully before the piano is returned, or being offered for sale. When dealing with pianos up to 110 years old, it is inevitable that some of them will have sustained some degree of infestation. We guarantee that any such instruments that have sustained any moth or woodworm attack will have been treated to the best of our ability.
Footnote - we cannot indemnify you against any future return of infestation.
(Q)What conditions would void your guarantees ?
(A) Extremes of temperature (such as dry heat or damp cold); Constantly changing temperatures; heavy or sustained over-use or abuse; lack of regular or any maintenance, (such as tuning); Negligent or careless treatment by removal operators; Attempting to 'fix' an alleged defect, or tampering with the interior workings; housing a piano in front of a radiator, or in strong sunlight (such as in a conservatory).
(Q)Can you provide any references or testimonials ?
(A) We have a folder full of complimentary letters, but to protect clients' identities, we cannot and will not release them over the internet. However they are available for viewing at our premises during opening hours.
