Piano Services
Service
Description
Tuning
Piano tuning involves many precise adjustments to the
tension of each string. The pitch of strings are not simply
matched to a standard set of pitches. The tuner listens to
the inharmonicity that is unique to each individual acoustic
piano and assesses the interaction among notes. A slight
variation is applied from the theoretical standard to make
each particular instrument sound its best.
Pitch-Raise
(2-Pass Tuning)
A pitch-raise is an pre-tuning pass to restore proper string
tension so the piano can be tuned to concert pitch pitch (A =
440 cycles per second). This may be necessary for a piano
that has not been tuned for an extended time or has been
subjected to environmental fluctuations such as
temperature and humidity. Following a pitch-raise, the
instrument can be fine tuned.
Sticky Keys
Customers often use the phrase "sticky keys" to indicate
that some keys respond or reset slowly. Sometimes keys
don't play at all. This can be caused by a number of issues
including wood swelling, restricted key movement, hammer
alignment, sticky or broken flanges, bridle straps, regulation,
or the result of objects dropped into the piano.
Regulation
Regulation is making fine adjustments to the key
mechanism for the best "feel and response". This involves
adjusting up to nine parameters for each note including
proper key travel, hammer travel, let-off distance,
backchecks, dampers, and repetition levers.
Voicing
Voicing is also referred to as tone regulation. It is the art of
adjusting the tone quality for the desired amount of
brilliance, mellowness or what musicians often describe as
"control and power". The touch response must be uniform
across the keyboard.
Note that a piano must be regulated and tuned prior to voicing. Otherwise, the
voicing process may be fooled by differences in sound from note-to-note that
are actually due to tuning or key response.
General
Repairs
Repair, replace, or adjust to correct issues impacting the
response and playability of the instrument. Cabinet work
may include cosmetics, loose legs, squeaks, rattles, and
general cleaning of the piano.
Reconditioning
/ Rebuilding
Can include both mechanical and cosmetic enhancement to
revitalize the instrument via repair and/or replacement of
components.
Piano
Evaluation
or
Pre-Purchase
Evaluation
Evaluate the condition of a piano. This is commonly done
prior to a purchase or sale to determine the overall
condition. This may include photos and a list of
recommended repairs. An evaluation is highly
recommended prior to obtaining a used piano (including
the "free piano") to avoid obtaining an instrument with
issues that are difficult to detect or costly to repair.
Humidity
Control
Installation of the Dampp-Chaser system to automatically
control the humidity in the piano. This system automatically
manages both moisture and dryness issues. This will help to
stabilize tuning and environmental issues with the many
wooden parts. This system is highly recommended for
quality instruments.
Piano Tuning & Maintenance Skillset Includes:
•
Fine-tuning
•
Key leveling & Repairs
•
Pedal Adjustment
•
Regulation (key touch and feel)
•
Tone Regulation (voicing)
•
Replacing hammers, dampers, strings
•
Action Felt Replacement
•
Humidity Control System
Contact GR Horst:
