Stacked shells, we can do a grand in any size and also do a double ender with 4 keyboards or uprights with 2 as well
Custom ebonized upright shell that has been chopped down to 43 inches in height. Faux Soundboard, lightweight but strong and ornate. Three removable panels and a fold over lid. Can convert to a stack unit with one panel removed, new brake casters. Shell is barrel sided which means the vertical sides are radiused. Nashville delivery as always at N/C
Photos available soon.
This photo is being used just to show style. These are 100% custom built and can be made to house any size keyboard. Available in any length. Lightweight but sturdy.
Available in Natural wood or custom painted. Price reflects starting point options.
Totally custom made from the ground up. Epoxy primed and painted. 3 Pc lid, 3 legs, beefy but light
Satin black is standard. Other colors are extra.
Bump out shells are for large keyboards but for those that don't want to spend the extra money for a totally custom-built shell. We can just bump out the short lid area of a baby grand and not have to alter the factory lid. You can hide the bump out side on a stage and no one will ever know. This model is pretty popular.
Satin black is standard (gloss is pictured) all other colors extra.
For Keyboards exceeding 55 inches you will need a stretched shell. The dimensions on this one are 64 inches wide (at the lid) by 24 inches deep by 42 tall. Keyboard slot is 60 inches wide. Total weight empty is around 75 pounds.
Satin Black is standard any other basecoat clear coat or single stage color will be extra.
This would be any basic baby grand ex piano stripped out with all the components removed. Sometimes they have nice finishes on them, but any refinishing or custom painting is extra. We offer free delivery to the Nashville TN area or they can be picked up at the KY shop. For shipping quotes, we recommend Fredericksburg Shipping and we have a couple other individuals for quotes.
Keyboard width cannot exceed 54 inches on most ex pianos so make sure we know the width.
We have stacked and non stacked stand up shells available. Currently camera shy. These shells have an added platform with casters on the bottom that raises standard keyboard height of 26 inches about 10 inches or 37 inches. Casters are not visible other than the leg well of the shell. These would be for players standing up. Prices begin at 800.00 any custom finishes add to the price.
Simple basic shell is a stripped out ex piano with the iron plate removed. T legs are added if not on them. Delivered to Nashville TN from the KY shop or can be picked up. Any custom finishing or painting is extra.
Welcome to the piano shell tab. *** NOTE*** All Custom shell work is pre-pay. This page has been updated 12/20/2025. For those of you that are not familiar with the word a piano shell is either a custom-made piano case or an old stripped out clunker piano with the heavy iron plate and action removed. This allows you to place your keyboard in the ex-key bed slot for the illusion on stage of using a real piano.
Before purchasing make sure your keyboard will fit. If it's below 54 inches wide, it will probably fit in an ex-piano. If it's over 55 inches, then you'll need a bump out made or something custom made.
All prices normally include Nashville TN area delivery but if you are out of state, you will either have to come to the Kentucky shop to pick up or get your own shipping quote. Uship.com is a good way to look for quotes. Any LTL trucking company though will require crating, and we can find someone for you to do that.
Ways to buy: Several ways. Piano clunkers pre-stripping are available but if you don't have the proper tools and strength to remove the long screws and tuning pins, they won't do you much good. Removing the pins is very hard on your hands no matter how much experience you have. Clunkers either upright or grands are 200 to 400 dollars delivered to a garage.
Stripped out uprights are 400.00 for a basic unit not painted or refinished just the stripped-out hull. If it's a tall upright this includes chopping the height down to 45 inches or less if wanted. Grand hulls are 500.00 for the same thing. Stripped out no iron plate, no refinishing or painting just the basic unit delivered to a Nashville garage address. Prices below in the Store can be adjusted to reflect these basic services if they have not been refinished or painted.
Parts like wood screws, keys, actions, pedals and other parts left over from the gutting process are available in the parts section or by inquiry.
Biltmore Estate Sheryl Crow concert August 3 2013 Stage set up using one of our built to order antique upright shells
On Stage, Formerly a 1895 Starr Cabinet grand. Chopped about 11 inches to 45 inches. Rosewood case.
Front view which the audience does not usually see, plenty of hand room to access all the controls and programs
Shell built from another huge upright for The head and the heart band, chopped down and the keyboard area lowered 5 inches.
Transferring Grand Shell we built for Alan Jacksons 25th Annv. Tour
Rear view shows optional faux soundboard panel to make everyone ask is that a real piano up there?
Shell built from 1880s English upright for Old Crow Medicine Show. Formerly a 52 inch tall upright
Piano shell in action for the Head and the Heart on stage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado
Second Head and Heart Band shell we made for them. On stage at Ryman Auditorium Nashville.
How this 1890s non repairable 8 ft grand wound up a shell
Here it is on stage at kensington Church in Lake Orion MI. We like to hand deliver our shells
another view
Project for Saks First Avenue Hollywood
Completed project was air shipped Fed Ex overnight and set up in the showroom window at Saks 5th Ave Hollywood CA.
Claws TV show prop concert grand
Claws TV show concert grand after assembly before crating, This whole project was done on a strict time line of 7 days
Claws tv show grand with the lid on prior to crating.
