How 3D Printing Fits Into Piano Restoration

In our piano shop, restoration often requires more than standard repair work. Many components—especially in older pianos—were built with designs and dimensions that are no longer supported by modern parts suppliers. To address this, we use 3D printing as a precise tool within the restoration process, allowing us to recreate critical components that match the original specifications.

"My piano has a broken part no one can find."

When a piano has family history behind it, custom 3D parts allow us to repair the original piano for generations to come.

As a family-run piano shop in Orem, Utah, we understand how much heirloom pianos matter, and we approach each project with that same long-term perspective—restoring pianos so they can continue to be played and enjoyed for years to come.

Brigham Larson registered piano technician holding a model train set with tools on a table with 3D printed piano flanges at Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, Utah piano heirloom piano restoration shop.

3D Printed Piano Action Parts

We use 3D printing to recreate critical piano parts that are no longer available, such as custom flanges used in the action. These components are designed with precision to ensure proper fit, function, and long-term durability. By combining modern technology with traditional rebuilding, we’re able to restore pianos fully—so they can be played and enjoyed for another hundred years.

3D Printed Flange
Hand holding a 3D printed piece to match a wooden piano trim that is missing  with visible grain at Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, Utah piano heirloom piano restoration shop.

Solving the Problem of Obsolete Piano Parts

We use 3D printing technology in our piano shop to solve a very specific problem: replacing parts that are no longer available. Many older pianos have components that have worn out, broken, or simply don’t exist anymore through traditional supply channels. In those cases, standard replacement isn’t an option.

Click below to watch: 100-Year-Old Erard From Paris—Missing Trim Corner—3D Printing!

Watch Erard Video
Close-up of a refinished wooden piano cabinet with decorative hinges and carvings designed with CAD, and 3D printed, then electroplated with shiny brass at Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, Utah piano heirloom piano restoration shop.

Precision Fit Through CAD Design

Using precise measurements and CAD design, we recreate those parts so they fit correctly within the original action and structure of the piano. This allows us to maintain proper geometry, alignment, and function—something that’s critical for how the piano plays and performs.

Click below to watch: 1920 Coinola Chicago Heirloom Upright 3D-Printed Custom Brass-Plated Cover (To Replace Missing Lock Plate)!

Watch Coinola Video
Brigham Larson holding a replicated 3D printed piano trim piece to match the missing trim on a gand Hallet Davis piano  at Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, Utah piano heirloom piano restoration shop.

Preserving Original Design in Heirloom Pianos

This process is especially useful in heirloom restorations, where preserving the original design matters. Rather than forcing a substitute part that doesn’t quite fit, we’re able to build a component that matches the intended dimensions and function.


Click below to watch how the 3D printed trim matches the original Hallet Davis cabinetry perfectly.

Watch Hallet Davis Video
Close-up of a fully restored 1913 Whitney upright piano player mechanism inside a wooden cabinet  at Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, Utah piano heirloom piano restoration shop.

3D Parts for 1913 Whitney Upright Player Piano Rebuild

In this project, we used 3D printing to recreate a critical component from a 1913 Whitney player piano that had broken into multiple pieces. Because replacement parts for these early player systems no longer exist, we scanned the original part and produced an exact replica with precise fit and geometry. The result is a durable component that integrates properly into the rebuilt system—often stronger and more reliable than the original—allowing the piano to function as intended for years to come.

Watch Video
Brigham Larson holding a 3D printed piano action part at the Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, Utah piano heirloom piano restoration shop.

Supporting Traditional Piano Rebuilding

3D printing doesn’t replace traditional piano rebuilding—it supports it. It gives us another tool to solve problems that otherwise wouldn’t have a clean solution, particularly in older or uncommon pianos.

3D Printing Video

Recreating a 120-Year-Old Missing Decorative Column Piano Piece

This piece was originally hand-carved over a century ago. Instead of starting from scratch, we used 3D scanning technology to capture the original design and then printed a precise replica using high-detail resin printing.

Watch Video

1901 Bush & Lane Upright Piano

In this "before" video:

  • How we'll scan the original piece (100,000+ data points)
  • Filament vs resin printing comparison
    Creating a perfect-fit attachment using negative imprinting
  • The process of blending and disguising the repair
Watch "Before" Video
3D printer in operation with filament on a bed at the Brigham Larson Pianos family heirloom piano restoration shop in Orem, UT.

The 3D Printer In Action!

This is a great example of how modern technology can support traditional craftsmanship—helping us restore pianos to their full beauty.

Watch: 3D Printer in Action
Brigham Larson giving a 3D piano printing presentation to the PTG in a conference room with a projector screen behind him at the Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, Utah piano heirloom piano restoration shop.

How 3D Printing is Revolutionizing Piano Restoration | Piano Technicians Guild

In this presentation to the Piano Technicians Guild, I share how we’re using 3D printing to solve restoration challenges that come up when working on historic pianos!

Piano technology has been around for over 300 years, and most of the pianos we restore are 100–150 years old. Many of their parts are long obsolete, and traditional replacements just don’t exist. That’s where 3D printing comes in.

In this video, I'll walk you through:
• Obsolete parts – Creating rare action components and case hardware for pianos from brands like Knabe, Emerson, and Steinway.
• One-off specialty parts – Designing and printing what’s needed in hours instead of waiting weeks for custom orders.
• Specialty woodworking – Reproducing intricate carved legs, missing trim, and decorative filigree with precision.

Brigham's PTG Presentation
Close-up of hands holding a small piano component against a computer image of CAD component design 3D printing piano flange at Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, Utah piano restoration shop.

From CAD Design to Precision-Fit Replacement Parts

We use precise measurements and CAD design to recreate obsolete piano parts through 3D printing. This process allows us to produce accurate, durable components that fit correctly and restore proper function in older instruments.

Watch Brigham explain the 3D printing process below.

3D Printing Process

Heirloom Piano Restoration with Custom 3D Printed Parts

Some heirloom pianos require more than standard restoration—especially when original parts are broken, missing, or simply no longer available. In these cases, we use 3D printing technology to precisely replicate those components, allowing us to restore the piano properly without compromising its original design. This approach is especially valuable for family heirlooms, where the goal is not just to repair the instrument, but to preserve its history and keep it in the family for generations to come. As a family-owned piano shop, we understand the importance of that legacy, and we take that responsibility seriously in every restoration.

3D Printing Technology Questions

Brigham Larson sitting behind a satin black fully restored and refinished family heirloom grand piano in a piano shop setting at the Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, Utah piano heirloom piano restoration shop.

What are 3D printed piano parts?


3D printed piano parts are custom-designed components created to replace broken, worn, or unavailable parts in a piano. These parts are modeled to match the original specifications, ensuring proper fit and function within the instrument.

Learn more by watching The 3D Printing Piano Parts Playlist.

When is 3D printing used in piano restoration?


3D printing is used when original parts are no longer available or cannot be sourced through traditional suppliers. It allows us to recreate precise components needed to complete a proper piano restoration.

Learn more about Piano Restoration

Are 3D printed piano parts durable?


Yes. When properly designed and installed, 3D printed piano parts can be highly durable and reliable. In many cases, they perform as well as—or better than—the original components they replace.

Request a FREE Family Heirloom Piano Restoration Evaluation

Do you offer custom 3D printed piano parts in Utah?


Yes. At our Utah piano shop, we design and produce custom 3D printed piano parts as part of the restoration process, helping bring pianos back to proper playing condition when parts are no longer available.

Explore a drone tour of our 23,500 SF showroom & family heirloom restoration shop.

Are 3D printed piano parts priced separately?


In most cases, custom 3D printed parts are part of a larger restoration project to ensure the piano is restored properly with the correct fit and function.

Request a custom piano restoration quote.

DRONE TOUR -- Experience Our 23,500 SF Piano Store & Piano Restoration Shop

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Piano Technicians Guild Presentation by Brigham Larson at Brigham Larson Pianos in Orem, UT.

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