Piano Services
Basic - Flat Rate Piano Service - $159
Basic - Flat Rate Piano Service - $159
Basic - Flat Rate Piano Service - $159
My most popular service! This flat rate fee doesn't just include a tuning. It also includes a half hours worth of FREE service, which often costs much more with other piano service companies. This service may consist of any of the following: minor pitch raises, small piano repairs, buzzing, sticky keys, hammer alignment, bench repair, cleaning, vacuum, lubricating, pedal adjustment and/or minor voicing. This is a superb value! In the event of excessive time between services, I will inform you of anything in need of attention that may require a more time and higher cost. When your piano needs more TLC, I will address the options to you and will not proceed unless I have your permission.
Pitch Raise - $59
Basic - Flat Rate Piano Service - $159
Basic - Flat Rate Piano Service - $159
A pitch raise is a quick piano tuning to stretch the overall tension of a piano. It is performed on a piano when the desired pitch (Usually A-440hz), falls significantly below frequency, enough that one tuning will not remain stable. Picture this: Your goal is to stretch a 3 inch rubber band to the point that it measures 4 inches in its resting state. You can either continually stretch it to this point (which will take more than one visit), or you can overstretch the rubber band to compensate for it shrinking back to where it started. If calculated correctly, the rubber band will now rest where desired. Throughout time, it will slowly rebound to its desired equilibrium. With 230 ore more strings on a piano, this does not happen at the same rate for each string. Most modern tunings are performed with devices that calculate with great accuracy how far each string needs to be overstretched to reach optimal resting pitch. Afterwards, the piano is then tuned. Some pianos are so flat that they need multiple pitch raises. A standard pitch raise is when the piano deviates 5-20 cents sharp or flat of A-440. A major pitch raise is when the piano deviates between 20 and 50 cents of A-440. A significant pitch raise is when a piano deviates more than 50 cents of A-440. The farther off the deviation, the longer the pitch raise will take. Anything over 20 cents will be charged accordingly, but this is a relatively small fee and is usually only needed if it has been many years since the pianos was last serviced.
Hourly Rate for other Services - $88
Basic - Flat Rate Piano Service - $159
Hourly Rate for other Services - $88
All services beyond tuning or pitch raising are charged at a rate of $85 per hour. A sample of some of those services are listed in the later columns. I only charge for how long a job should take based off an industry standard. If I quote you one hour of service but it takes me two, you will only be billed for the one hour, unless otherwise agreed upon.
Many of the jobs listed on this page take between 30 minutes to 1 hour and are very effective in bringing out the tone and feel of your piano. These are normal maintenance procedures to keep the piano as close to how it sounded and felt the day you bought it.
I often recommend these services before doing any major work, as doing so, more often than not, will fix a problem that is thought to be a bigger issue than it actually is.
Note*: During a basic piano tuning service, I include a half hours worth of FREE service. That often includes a basic cleaning of the keys, a vacuuming behind and inside the piano, a polish, etc.
Deep Piano Cleaning
Lubrication, Key Easing, Misc.
Hourly Rate for other Services - $88
Often times, a piano has been sitting in the same place for so long without any cleaning whatsoever. There will often be decades of dust and grime that is far beyond a simple wipe down and cleaning. I can't tell you the amazing collection of odds and ends that I've collected throughout the years that are caught under the keys, in the trapwork, etc. This service includes special tools that get behind the strings of a piano to break up and wipe away the years of dust that is usually caked onto the soundboard and strings. It also includes the use of special cleaning liquids and soft abrasives that remove rust, grime and other debris that will return them to a newer and healthier quality. This often even helps the tone slightly since there aren't foreign substances creating false beats on the piano strings. A thorough cleaning can vary in time. I will give you a quote and ask your permission before I provide any service.
Note*: During a basic piano tuning service, I include a half hours worth of FREE service. That often includes a basic cleaning of the keys, a vacuuming behind and inside the piano, a polish, etc.
Lubrication, Key Easing, Misc.
Lubrication, Key Easing, Misc.
Lubrication, Key Easing, Misc.
Freeing up keys is a necessary and cost effective way to retain the feel of your piano without spending tons of money on other services. Depending on the severity of the friction, you will very likely be able to tell the difference when playing.
Pianos can be very temperamental, especially when the weather changes by season or by day. A heavy rain or unexpected weather pattern will surely prompt some calls to the piano technician. You may have a newly squeaky pedal, a sticky key, a stuck damper, etc. Not to worry. These issues are often simple and can be addressed during your next tuning or will often go away after a few days. If not, call me and I'll come out and fix it.
Here's a test for your piano. Pull up on all the keys and see how many fall back down to their resting position. If most of them remain in this unnatural position, then the pianos key bushings are slightly swelled or frayed from old felt. In this case, the piano is likely still playable. But you are most certainly not getting the optimal response that the piano is capable of and you will not be able to play as consistently as the piano should allow. In this case, the keys need to be "eased" which is the process of freeing up the friction between key bushings and balance rail pins. Most action complaints in pianos are caused by friction in various places inside the action.
Most of the above issues that come up abruptly during weather or season changes are simple and included in my half hours worth of FREE service during your next piano tuning.
Voicing
Lubrication, Key Easing, Misc.
Lubrication, Key Easing, Misc.
This relatively inexpensive process should be performed every 2 to 5 years or sooner, depending on how often the piano is played, which will help retain the tone it had when you bought it. Just about all of my clients are ecstatic how effective this service is. If you think your piano sounds too loud, a little sour, or you can't play softly, then read on..
Throughout time, your pianos tone will slowly change. That is because the hammers, which are made of 100 percent wool felt, slowly compact throughout time as the keys are played. As these hammers compress, they become more dense to the point that they become harder than when the piano was new. As the hammers becomes harder, the sound becomes more bright, even to the point of becoming harsh/tinny if too much time goes by without voicing. Each hammer will compact at different rates, which can change the tambre or tone color of each note, giving the player the impression that the piano is out of tune, even if it isn't. This also effects the feel, because the player subconsciously accommodates for these inconsistencies without even knowing.
At this point, a technician will use a special needling tool that is inserted into the hammer in various areas in order to "unpack" the felt. Sometimes, an alcohol/water solution is needed to break up various laquers that are used in some brands of hammers, which can become too hard to use a needling method. Depending on the customers preference, a hammer can be manipulated to sound softer, or it can even be made to sound brighter. In most cases, pianos will usually need to be mellowed or softened. All pianos become bright within time. It is so subtle that most piano owners do not notice it, yet it will absolutely effect the sound AND the feel of your piano.
Even my basic service fee includes a half hours worth of FREE service which could include minor voicing that you will most definitely notice.
Piano Regulation
Piano Regulation
Piano Regulation
Every piano goes through varying stages of expansion and contraction throughout the days and weeks, especially during seasonal weather changes. Not only that, but as a piano is played, throughout time, the over 9,000 mechanical parts will experience wear and tear that will surely change the way the piano feels.
Because these changes happen subtly and over time, a player will have a hard time noticing that they are actually playing on an instrument that isn't as nice and responsive as it was when they purchased it.
Regulation is one of the most needed piano services that most instruments do not receive. Some of the most simple and inexpensive services can make your piano feel and sound better than you've become accustomed to. There are numerous kinds of regulation. Price and time will vary. I am happy to say that even the most simple and inexpensive adjustments can surely make a world of difference. Some of these adjustments are included in my half hours worth of FREE service. You will be astonished how may technicians in Spokane do not offer these services.