Services
Piano Tuning
Piano tuning is the process of adjusting the sound intervals we hear as "in tune". I tune the C above middle
C to 523.3 Hz.(cycles per second). This is referred to as "concert pitch". I tune to this standard. If I need
to change from this standard, I will explain. I tune by ear. I learned to tune "aurally" and have tuned that way
for 30 years.
Pitch Raising
When the pitch of the piano is away from equal temperament by more than 10 cents flat or sharp, the piano
requires a pitch raise (or lowering), and the resulting tuning will not be stable. A fluctuation of this sort is
generally caused by the instrument having been exposed to severe swings in relative humidity or not being tuned
often enough. Regular tuning and a stable environment will help a piano "stay in tune". Piano manufacturers
generally recommend four tunings the first year of a pianos life and twice a year thereafter.
Reconditioning
Reconditioning is different from rebuilding. Reconditioning involves cleaning the case and action, making
repairs and adjustments. More involved than just Regulation, but less involved than Rebuilding, the time and
price depends on the condition of the instrument.
Repair
I can repair squeaks, clicks and buzzes. If one of the 9000 parts of your piano is broken or malfunctioning, I
can repair or replace it. If there is a repair that is outside of my scope of work, I can refer you to a qualified
person.
Regulation
Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical aspects of the piano to compensate for the effects of wear, the
compacting and settling of cloth, felt and buckskin, as well as dimensional changes in wood and wool parts due to
changes in humidity.
Voicing
Voicing is the adjustment of a piano’s tone or quality of sound. Tone can be changed without affecting the
pitch. A very "bright" piano can be mellowed and vice versa. Other tonal qualities can be adjusted. The degree
of change possible depends upon the piano’s design and condition.
Piano Cleaning
Pianos become dusty and dirty under the strings, around pins and in the action cavity. I can vacuum and clean
these areas as well as the case and keys as an additional service.
Keytop Replacement
Having your keytops replaced is an affordable way to bring back the look and touch that your piano may be
missing. Whether you have cracked, chipped or missing keys or just stained and yellowed keys, having them
replaced will greatly improve the look and touch of your piano.
Advice
I can help you find information to help you with the purchase of a new or used piano. For a fee, I can accompany
you to look at a piano and give you a technician’s opinion of its condition and needs. If you are unavailable,
I can look at a piano and report back to you. If your piano needs moving, or rebuilding I can counsel you and
offer referrals to technicians who specialize in these services.
Appraisals
I am qualified to give you my opinion of the value of your instrument. Whether you’re looking for an insurance
value, replacement value or resale value, I can obtain the information you need. This service takes extra time.
I need to do research to get accurate information which I can e-mail, snail mail or FAX to you.
Installation of Humidity Systems
I am a field expert representative (over 28 years) for Damp Chaser Systems and can install a system on your
grand or upright piano that is designed to keep the relative humidity of the air within your piano at the ideal
level of 42%. This protects your instrument from wide humidity swings and makes your tuning stable.
Key Rebushing
Perhaps the most needed item with older pianos, other than tuning, is the need for key rebushing. Your piano
has two felts (bushings) inside the underneath side of each key. These felts prevent the keys from wobbling in
the front when the front rail bushings are worn and wobbling side to side, and tilting, when the balance rail
bushings are worn. Over time these bushings will need to be replaced to give back the stable feel that your piano
once had.
Restringing
Restringing is the replacement of the piano's strings, usually as a complete set. A piano is generally restrung
when the strings get worn out and/or lose their tone due to a number of possible reasons. The strings may lose their
tone in as little as 10 years. When your piano stops sounding as deep and rich or resonant as it once did, when bass
strings start to sound dead or tubby and the overall sound becomes tinny and thin, then then it's probably time to
consider restringing.
In addition, if a piano's tuning pins have become loose in the pinblock, it's usually standard procedure to
replace the strings along with the tuning pins and/or pinblock.
To keep costs down, sometimes a piano will be only partially restrung and only the bass strings will be replaced,
because bass strings tend to go bad faster than treble strings. Most often though, if the bass strings have gone bad,
the treble strings will have lost a significant amount of their tone as well.
Piano Moving
If you want your piano moved, please contact me and I'll refer you to a reputable piano moving company.
Accessories
- Piano Casters Cups
- Double Wheel Casters
- Twin Piano Dollies
- Padded Piano Covers
- Replacement Benches
- Fallboard Clamp Locks
- Humidity Control Systems
- Piano Care Products (for cleaning & polishing)