Marinus van Prattenburg started working on pianos in The Netherlands in 1968. This under the tutelage of Jacobus van Rijn, a very well-known piano restorer from Rotterdam and later in the small town of Geesteren.

In 1976 Marinus immigrated to St.Catharines Ontario Canada to set up a piano restoration shop. In 1979 he decided to move to British Columbia to set up the business there. From 1979 to 1998 he operated a very successful restoration shop in Surrey B.C. This shop handled piano restorations of all kinds. Marinus’ colleagues quickly discovered that the soundboards he makes are very good in every aspect. This prompted them to order soundboards or got them installed by him.  

At the present the shop is now in operation in the small town of Peachland in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. This resulted from the fact that Surrey and Vancouver had become too hectic for Marinus and his wife Marie. Both were born and raised in a country life-style setting.

Still, customers are requesting Marinus’ services from far away. That hasn’t changed.

Marinus was invited on several occasions to give workshops on different subjects during the annual conventions of The Piano Technicians Guild of North America and Canada and The Canadian Piano Technicians Guild. Marinus’ greatest passion is the early piano. Over the years many went through his shop. Among them were some very interesting instruments indeed.

Some were “beyond restoration”. Yet, because of much patience and craftsmanship, these instruments are back to life again and are a joy to their owners.

Several pianists, some of international fame, come to Marinus requesting the use of an instrument for concert or recording. A request what never is denied if one of his own instruments is available.

Sometimes a customer’s instrument is being used, but only with their absolute consent. These instruments range from the years of manufactory from 1784 to 1895. It is of Marinus’ most concern that customers are being served to their fullest satisfaction.

This is achieved by scrutinizing every job very closely before it leaves the shop. “That will do” doesn’t exist in his vocabulary. Every project is viewed up close with the thought: “What can still be improved?”. Every project is also accompanied by a written conditional guarantee for parts and workmanship.

Nobody and nothing is absolute perfect. Of course, it has occurred that a minor problem did arise not covered by the guarantee. Such (very few) incidents were always solved to the customers’ full satisfaction, most of the time without pay. This attitude makes a good reputation and business strong, and has given the experience that such an attitude results not in a loss for the business, but gain.

Upon request, a package with references can be submitted to potential customers.

Marinus’ motto: Ora et Labora.  (Pray and Work).