The Journal News - February 1999

Below, John Ford, owner of Ford Piano Rebuilding in Peekskill, plays a 1909 small grand Steinway piano that he rebuilt in his shop. Not shown, Chris Gonzalez, an employee, reattaches the lyre and pedal assembly on the vintage piano, which is being sold for $28,000. Ford, a third-generation rebuilder, specializes in rebuilding, repairing and tuning pianos. He came to his craft by way of his grandfather, Janos Fekete, who emigrated from Hungary in 1895, and worked in many piano factories before starting the family's business. Ford, an accomplished musician, plays every instrument he tunes or repairs to make sure that it is properly adjusted. Recently, he has been looking for a space in Northern Westchester, where he hopes to start a piano museum.