There are many ways that we can improve and maintain your piano so that it can bring you the most enjoyment. We provide total piano care: tuning, repairs, cleaning, voicing, regulation, reconditioning, appraisals and evaluations, humidity control and help in buying or selling a piano.
• Tuning, both in-home and on the concert stage
When we come to tune your piano, you get a lot more than just tuning. At a typical appointment, we generally perform the following services:
- Evaluate the piano
- Record info, noting service provided, and temperature and humidity
- Check and tighten plate and bench bolts as needed
- Check pedal functions
- Perform minor voicing to improve tone
- Clean the keys
- Determine the date of manufacture
- Make minor repairs/adjustments
- Tune the piano to A-440 (standard pitch)
When tuning, we adjust the tension of the piano’s over 200 strings to produce correct musical intervals. If the tension on the strings has become too loose, a “pitch correction” may be necessary before the piano can be fine-tuned. To preserve the instrument, manufacturers suggest that the piano be serviced at least 1-2 times/year, even if it’s not played regularly.
• Repairs
We can take care of any needed repairs to your piano, from broken strings or sticking keys to squeaky pedals.
• Cleaning
We have the tools and expertise to clean inside your piano and remove dirt and foreign objects. Please let us know if you’d like a thorough cleaning of your piano so that we allow additional time at your tuning appointment.
• Voicing
If you would like to improve the tone of your piano, we can voice it to create a pleasing tone and the widest possible dynamic range, from soft and sweet to loud and bright. All pianos need periodic voicing because the tone of the piano changes and gets harsher as the felt hammers become worn.
• Regulation
The piano has over 9000 movable parts that transfer energy from your fingers on the keys to the hammers that strike the strings. As these parts wear and compress, the touch becomes uneven and less responsive. Periodic regulation allows you to play with maximum speed and control.
• Reconditioning
Reconditioning can restore a piano to the quality of touch and tone that it had when it was new. When we recondition a piano, we clean, tighten, and lubricate the moving parts. We also file the hammers, tune, and adjust the regulation and voicing (see above.)
• Appraisals and Evaluations
We offer evaluations and appraisals for a variety of needs. Appraisals can be used to establish the value for sale or purchase , or for insurance coverage. We can evaluate a piano to determine the cost of repairs, or to see if it is suitable for a particular usage. When thoroughly inspecting the piano, we will assess its age and overall condition, the quality of its construction, and the integrity of its structural parts.
• Humidity Control
Humidity is the primary external factor that affects your piano.42% relative humidity is ideal year round, but it is difficult to maintain in NC’s humid summers and dry winters. We’ll be happy to help you achieve the best humidity levels possible for your piano. This will give you tuning stability and protect the instrument for years to come.
• Help in buying or selling a piano
We can assist you in finding the right piano for your taste and your budget--whether new or used, for a beginner or an advanced player. It is particularly important to have a used piano evaluated before purchase to avoid hidden problems and costly repairs. We will also help you sell a piano by trying to locate the right buyer for your piano.
“For years, my dream was to own a Steinway grand. Evelyn Smith had been taking care of my old piano for years, and as I completely trusted her judgment, I asked her to help me find that Steinway. One day, a few weeks before Christmas, she called me from the home of another client that had one he wished to sell. It was a perfect match, and what a Christmas present I bought myself!” –-Lee Atkinson
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