The Dartington Project: Discovering The Lost Treasures of Refurbished Musical Instruments

In late 2024, The Music Depot received an exciting message from the Dartington Estate. Since Dartington College of Arts closed in 2010, many of its rooms have been left full of unused musical instruments. Apart from the odd summer school, these instruments hadn’t been touched in over 15 years. Their question to us was simple: could we help find new homes for their refurbished musical instruments? Of course, we said yes. We couldn’t let this opportunity pass us by!

A Rich History of Creativity at Dartington College

Dartington College of Arts was much more than just a school; it was a creative hub that nurtured innovation in music, theatre, dance, and visual arts for over five decades. Founded in the 1960s in Devon, the college quickly gained a reputation for its forward-thinking approach to arts education. It attracted students from across the UK and internationally, offering courses that combined practical skills with experimental artistic ideas. The college’s community spirit encouraged collaboration, pushing students to explore new ways of creating and performing. 

For over 50 years, Dartington College of Arts was one of the UK’s top art schools. Many famous artists came through its doors – including singer Rumer, actor Tim Plester, and theatre director Dominic Barber. Big names like Igor Stravinsky and John Cage even gave lectures there.

Restoring Dartington’s Musical Instruments 

This inspiring environment is part of what makes the refurbished musical instruments from Dartington so special — they were played by generations of passionate artists who helped shape the British Arts scene. Although the college closed in 2010, its legacy lives on through these instruments and the stories they carry. 

Now, some of these refurbished musical instruments get to have a second life. With such a rich history, just imagine who might have played one of these during their time at the college.

We’re proud to be working with the Dartington Estate to give these beautiful instruments a second chance. Some of the pianos date back to 1890, while others are more modern digital models. This special collection includes top brands like Steinway & Sons, Bechstein, and Yamaha. With help from local piano expert Robert Porch, we’re carefully restoring each one. 

These refurbished musical instruments are being brought back to life, ready to be played and loved once again.

Why Choose Refurbished Musical Instruments?

Refurbished musical instruments don’t just offer great sound – they carry stories. Every mark, key, or pedal tells part of a rich musical journey. By restoring and rehoming them, we’re not only preserving beautiful instruments but also keeping musical heritage alive. Our goal at The Music Depot is to make these instruments available to the next generation of musicians, teachers, and collectors – people who will continue their story. With every restored note, we connect the past to the future.

Buying refurbished musical instruments is a smart and sustainable choice for many musicians. Not only can you find high-quality instruments at a more affordable price, but you’re also reducing waste by giving a second life to pieces that still have so much to offer. 

Many of the instruments we restore were built with exceptional craftsmanship, especially older pianos and classical instruments made from quality materials that are harder to find today. With the right care and expertise, they can perform just as beautifully as brand-new models. Whether you’re a beginner, a teacher, or a seasoned player, choosing refurbished means you’re investing in both sound and sustainability.

A Classic Yamaha Returns

The first piano in this collection is a stunning 1974 Yamaha U1 Upright Acoustic Piano. Though it's been well used over the past 50 years, it still looks great and sounds even better – with that bright, powerful tone Yamaha is known for.

More Instruments Coming Soon...

Over the next few months, we’ll be adding more refurbished musical instruments from Dartington to our collection. Each one is carefully restored and tested before being made available for sale, both in-store and online. Keep an eye on our social media and sign up for our newsletter on our website to stay up to date.

If you have any questions or want to know more about any of our refurbished musical instruments, our friendly team at The Music Depot in Exeter is here to help.

FAQS

Q1: What are refurbished musical instruments?

A refurbished musical instrument is a pre-owned instrument that has been professionally repaired, cleaned, and restored to excellent playing condition.

Q2: Are refurbished instruments reliable?

Yes. All our refurbished musical instruments are inspected and restored by experts to ensure they meet high standards of quality and performance.

Q3: Can I try the instruments before buying?

Absolutely. Many of our refurbished musical instruments are on display in our Exeter showroom, ready to be seen and played.

Q4: How do you restore these instruments?

We work with experienced technicians, like Devon-based restorer Robert Porch, to carefully clean, repair, and tune each instrument before it goes on sale.