Tuning and Pitch Adjustments

Modern pianos are specifically designed to be tuned to a particular pitch level. (A4 at 440 Hz)  If your piano has not been tuned in many years or it has been exposed to extreme changes in temperature and humidity than it is likely that it will need one or two quick pass tunings to bring the overall pitch to the correct level. Then, and only then, will your piano be able to hold a tuning.  These pre-tunings are called pitch adjustments.

After the overall pitch is at the correct level then I start my tuning by tuning A4 to 440Hz with an accurately calibrated tuning fork.  From A4 I tune an octave of notes, called the temperament, which are carefully tuned to the best possible positions.  Once the temperament is tuned I use it as a reference and template to tune the rest of the notes in the piano.

Regulation

There are many thousands of adjustable parts inside of your piano made of wood, felt, and metal.  These materials can become worn or compressed with years of playing.  They can also swell and shrink with changes in humidity.  Regulation is the adjusting of many or all of these parts to re-establish the correct relationships that they should have to each other; in order to have your piano playing to the best of its capabilities.

Repairs

I offer repair or replacement services for almost any problem you might have with your piano such as: broken or sticking keys, broken hammers or action parts, broken strings, or pedals that don’t work anymore.

Cleaning

I offer full scale piano cleaning services for your whole piano: case, lid, pedals, strings, soundboard, plate, and action.  If your piano has not been thoroughly cleaned in many years, having it well cleaned can often improve the way it plays.

Voicing

Tone-regulation or voicing is the manipulaiton of the sound of your piano mainly by softening or hardening the hammers.  If the sound of your piano is too loud or bright, voicing can help to give the sound of your piano a more pleasing quality. The general objective is to even out the timbre across the whole piano; and to achieve a tone that is most pleasing to you.  In order to have your piano voiced it must be in good working order (properly regulated) and well tuned.

Re-Building Services

Partial and Full re-building services:
  - restringing / pinblock replacement
  - action re-building
  - soundboard repair / replacement
  - bridge capping
  - structural repairs