Piano Services
Service
Description
Tuning
Piano tuning involves 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 may be 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
(Commonly 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 or even thats some
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 parts, 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, also referred to as tone regulation. It is the art of
adjusting the tone quality for the desired amount of
brilliance, mellowness allowing the musicians proper
"control and power". This is done by adjusting the hardness
/ density of the hammers to achieve a desired tonality.
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 rather than voicing.
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
Evaluation of the condition of a piano is commonly done
prior to a purchase or sale of a used instrument. This may
uncover a number of recommended repairs and is is highly
recommended prior to obtaining a used piano (including
the "free piano") to avoid a heavy moving task only to find
out an instrument needs costly to repairs.
Humidity
Control
Installation of a “Dampp-Chaser” system to automatically
control the humidity in the piano. This system manages
both excess moisture and dryness. This helps to stabilize
tuning and environmental issues with the many wooden
parts. This system is highly recommended for quality
instruments.
Hammer
Reshaping
or
Replacement
Piano hammers affect the tonal quality of a piano. Over
time and use they become grooved and flattened from
striking the strings. Depending on the condition of the
hammers, filing and reshaping can be a reasonable
alternative to replacement. When hammers are replaced
there are several options regarding materials and weight.
Once replaced, regulation process is needed to adjust key
parameters for optimal response with the new hammers.
The skills of a piano technician
extend beyond tuning and
include:
•
Key leveling
•
Repairs
•
Pedal adjustment
•
Key response (regulation)
•
Tone regulation (voicing)
•
Replacing hammers, dampers, strings
•
Action felt replacement
•
Humidity control systems
Contact GR Horst:
