TUNING
Piano tuning is the aligning of the musical pitch of the various notes of the piano, by adjusting the tension of the piano's strings, in order to achieve a desired musical effect. Preferences in desired musical effects and methods in achieving those preferences will vary. Piano "tuning" does not involve the functioning of a piano's key mechanism. (The "tune-up" of an automobile engine may involve keeping machinery running smoothly, but piano"tuning" by itself does not.) Source: www.ptg.org
Full Service Tunings:
+The most precise tunings available using current technology customized to each individual piano
+Computer aided or aural (by ear) tunings are used as the situation requires
+Appointment time allows for minor repairs, maintenance and pitch correction
Concert and Performance Tuning and Preparation:
+The unique demands of concert performance
+The most precise tunings available using current technology customized to each individual piano
+Computer aided or aural (by ear) tunings are used as the situation requires
VOICING
Voicing is the adjustment of a piano's tone or quality of sound. Tone can be changed without affecting the pitch. For example, turning the bass or treble knobs on your stereo changes the tone but does not alter the notes the musician recorded. A skilled piano technician can voice a piano to change its tonal personality from mellow to bright or robust to delicate. The degree of change possible depends upon the piano's design and condition. Source: www.ptg.org
REPAIRS
Things such as sticky keys, keys that won't play, pedals that don't work, one missing key top, wobbly piano bench, etc. are often times "general field repairs" that may easily be done during the regularly scheduled tuning appointment. If a repair is more involved, a separate time can be scheduled for your repair.
CLEANING
Pianos get dusty and things fall inside in areas you can't see until we come to open it up. 😉 Cleaning a grand piano is especially nice if you like having the lid open to see the strings, soundboard, etc.
REGULATING
Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical aspects of the pianos 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.
The three systems involved in regulation are the action, trapwork and damper system. The action is the mechanical part of the piano that transfers the motion of the fingers on the keys to the hammers that strike the strings. It is comprised of over 9,000 parts which require adjustment to critical tolerances to be able to respond to a pianist's every command. The trapwork is the assemblage of levers, dowels and springs that connects the pedals to the action affecting sustain and dynamics. The damper system is the mechanical part of the piano that stops the vibration of the string when you release the key and is controlled by the key and pedal systems. Source:www.ptg.com
RECONDITIONING
Reconditioning is the process of putting a piano back in good condition by cleaning, repairing, and adjusting for best performance with parts replacement only where necessary. This is most appropriate for a piano with only moderate wear or those of medium value with average performance requirements. Reconditioning does not involve replacing major components such as the soundboard, bridges, pinblock, and most action parts. This means the performance and life-span of an older piano will not be restored to new. Instead, reconditioning is designed to improve a piano's performance, keeping in mind both costs and benefits. Source: www.ptg.org
REBUILDING
A rebuilt used piano is one that has been disassembled, inspected, and repaired as necessary with replacement of all worn or deteriorated parts, re-assembled, tested, and approved to at least the same tolerances as a new piano of like manufacture.
Complete rebuilding typically includes:
+Complete disassembly of the instrument
+Repair or replacement of soundboard, bridges, and pinblock, as well as repair of any structural damage to the case
+Replacement of all strings and tuning pins
+Thorough restoration of action and damper system, including replacement of hammers, many action parts, springs, and most felt
+Rebuilding of the pedal and trapwork system, including replacement of all worn felt, leather, and metal parts
+Refinishing of case and plate, polishing or replating of all hardware, and replacement of all decals, felt trims, and rubber buttons
+Complete action regulation, tuning, and voicing
+Multiple tunings to stabilize new strings
Source: www.ptg.org
CLIMATE CONTROL INSTALLATION AND SERVICE
Keeping the humidity level around your piano as constant as possible will help it stay in tune longer as well as slow such damage as soundboard cracks, loose tuning pins, and glue joint failures. The first and simplest precaution you can take is to position your piano away from areas where it would be exposed to extremes of temperature and humidity such as heating and cooling vents, stoves, doors and windows. Direct sunlight is especially damaging. If your home is not well insulated, an interior wall is preferable to an outside wall.
A very practical and effective answer to humidity problems is to have a humidity control system installed in the piano itself. We install the Piano Life Saver made by Dampp-Chaser Corporation, These systems consist of three parts: a humidifier for adding moisture to the air, a dehumidifier for eliminating excess moisture, and a humidistat or control unit which senses the relative humidity (RH) of the air within the piano and activates the system to add or remove moisture as needed. These systems are designed to maintain the RH of the air within the piano at the ideal level of 42%. The components are installed out of sight, inside the case of a vertical piano or under the soundboard of a grand. They are easy to maintain, and can be installed by your piano technician.
Source: www.ptg.org
APPRAISALS AND ESTIMATES
Many times someone wants to know the value of a piano either when selling it or if they're interested in buying a particular used piano. Or the owner wants to determine whether or not their family's old piano is worth rebuilding. An appraisal, which is more accurately done with a tuning, can tell you what condition the piano is in and how much it might take to have it restored to optimum playing condition.
Depending on your needs, a written or verbal estimate will be given so that you will have a good idea of the cost involved.
Piano tuning is the aligning of the musical pitch of the various notes of the piano, by adjusting the tension of the piano's strings, in order to achieve a desired musical effect. Preferences in desired musical effects and methods in achieving those preferences will vary. Piano "tuning" does not involve the functioning of a piano's key mechanism. (The "tune-up" of an automobile engine may involve keeping machinery running smoothly, but piano"tuning" by itself does not.) Source: www.ptg.org
Full Service Tunings:
+The most precise tunings available using current technology customized to each individual piano
+Computer aided or aural (by ear) tunings are used as the situation requires
+Appointment time allows for minor repairs, maintenance and pitch correction
Concert and Performance Tuning and Preparation:
+The unique demands of concert performance
+The most precise tunings available using current technology customized to each individual piano
+Computer aided or aural (by ear) tunings are used as the situation requires
VOICING
Voicing is the adjustment of a piano's tone or quality of sound. Tone can be changed without affecting the pitch. For example, turning the bass or treble knobs on your stereo changes the tone but does not alter the notes the musician recorded. A skilled piano technician can voice a piano to change its tonal personality from mellow to bright or robust to delicate. The degree of change possible depends upon the piano's design and condition. Source: www.ptg.org
REPAIRS
Things such as sticky keys, keys that won't play, pedals that don't work, one missing key top, wobbly piano bench, etc. are often times "general field repairs" that may easily be done during the regularly scheduled tuning appointment. If a repair is more involved, a separate time can be scheduled for your repair.
CLEANING
Pianos get dusty and things fall inside in areas you can't see until we come to open it up. 😉 Cleaning a grand piano is especially nice if you like having the lid open to see the strings, soundboard, etc.
REGULATING
Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical aspects of the pianos 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.
The three systems involved in regulation are the action, trapwork and damper system. The action is the mechanical part of the piano that transfers the motion of the fingers on the keys to the hammers that strike the strings. It is comprised of over 9,000 parts which require adjustment to critical tolerances to be able to respond to a pianist's every command. The trapwork is the assemblage of levers, dowels and springs that connects the pedals to the action affecting sustain and dynamics. The damper system is the mechanical part of the piano that stops the vibration of the string when you release the key and is controlled by the key and pedal systems. Source:www.ptg.com
RECONDITIONING
Reconditioning is the process of putting a piano back in good condition by cleaning, repairing, and adjusting for best performance with parts replacement only where necessary. This is most appropriate for a piano with only moderate wear or those of medium value with average performance requirements. Reconditioning does not involve replacing major components such as the soundboard, bridges, pinblock, and most action parts. This means the performance and life-span of an older piano will not be restored to new. Instead, reconditioning is designed to improve a piano's performance, keeping in mind both costs and benefits. Source: www.ptg.org
REBUILDING
A rebuilt used piano is one that has been disassembled, inspected, and repaired as necessary with replacement of all worn or deteriorated parts, re-assembled, tested, and approved to at least the same tolerances as a new piano of like manufacture.
Complete rebuilding typically includes:
+Complete disassembly of the instrument
+Repair or replacement of soundboard, bridges, and pinblock, as well as repair of any structural damage to the case
+Replacement of all strings and tuning pins
+Thorough restoration of action and damper system, including replacement of hammers, many action parts, springs, and most felt
+Rebuilding of the pedal and trapwork system, including replacement of all worn felt, leather, and metal parts
+Refinishing of case and plate, polishing or replating of all hardware, and replacement of all decals, felt trims, and rubber buttons
+Complete action regulation, tuning, and voicing
+Multiple tunings to stabilize new strings
Source: www.ptg.org
CLIMATE CONTROL INSTALLATION AND SERVICE
Keeping the humidity level around your piano as constant as possible will help it stay in tune longer as well as slow such damage as soundboard cracks, loose tuning pins, and glue joint failures. The first and simplest precaution you can take is to position your piano away from areas where it would be exposed to extremes of temperature and humidity such as heating and cooling vents, stoves, doors and windows. Direct sunlight is especially damaging. If your home is not well insulated, an interior wall is preferable to an outside wall.
A very practical and effective answer to humidity problems is to have a humidity control system installed in the piano itself. We install the Piano Life Saver made by Dampp-Chaser Corporation, These systems consist of three parts: a humidifier for adding moisture to the air, a dehumidifier for eliminating excess moisture, and a humidistat or control unit which senses the relative humidity (RH) of the air within the piano and activates the system to add or remove moisture as needed. These systems are designed to maintain the RH of the air within the piano at the ideal level of 42%. The components are installed out of sight, inside the case of a vertical piano or under the soundboard of a grand. They are easy to maintain, and can be installed by your piano technician.
Source: www.ptg.org
APPRAISALS AND ESTIMATES
Many times someone wants to know the value of a piano either when selling it or if they're interested in buying a particular used piano. Or the owner wants to determine whether or not their family's old piano is worth rebuilding. An appraisal, which is more accurately done with a tuning, can tell you what condition the piano is in and how much it might take to have it restored to optimum playing condition.
Depending on your needs, a written or verbal estimate will be given so that you will have a good idea of the cost involved.
REFINISHING
We do not do refinishing. Check with furniture refinishers for this process. If you want to refinish your own piano, you may contact us for help taking it apart to make refinishing easier for you.
We do not do refinishing. Check with furniture refinishers for this process. If you want to refinish your own piano, you may contact us for help taking it apart to make refinishing easier for you.
