Regulation and Voicing
What is regulation and how do I know if my piano needs it?
Your piano is made up of over 9,000 parts which need to be serviced and adjusted from time to time. If your piano has an uneven touch, a limited dynamic range, or sticking keys it is time to have your piano regulated.
The regulation process goes through all these different parts and makes sure they are perfectly aligned, and that the timing of all the moving parts happens at exactly the right time.
When the action is properly regulated, your piano should have an even touch across the whole keyboard, controllable over its full dynamic range, and be smooth, consistent, and sensitive across the whole keyboard.
Remember, no amount of practicing can compensate for a poorly maintained action.
How long does it take to regulate the piano? What is the cost?
This question really depends on what kind of piano you have, and how long it has been since it was last regulated. If your piano just needs a touch-up, this can take around 2 hours of so, and is a flat rate of $200
Why does my piano need to be regulated? How often?
The piano action is a complicated machine of thousands of parts. Over time the temperature and humidity fluctuations, wear-and-tear, as well as the use of the piano will cause the regulation to suffer.
Under normal circumstances, your piano should be fully regulated once every decade or so.
What is Action Restoration and Rebuilding?
The action is essentially the motor of your piano. As it ages and is used, it suffers wear and tear and eventually needs to be restored and rebuilt.
In a Restoration, the action is completely disassembled and cleaned, worn out parts are repaired, refurbished, or completely replaced, joints are lubricated, and the action is then completely re-assembled and regulated.
How long does rebuilding the action take? What is the cost?
This depends on how extensive the project is and how many custom parts need to be ordered. If the project requires few new parts, it often takes around 2 weeks. On projects where custom parts need to be manufactured (such as a new set of hammers) the project usually takes around 8 weeks.
Likewise, the cost varies significantly with each project. A simple restoration with few new replacement parts is usually around $800, while a complete restoration with all new parts can be several thousand dollars.
Since there's so many options when it comes to rebuilding and restoration, please contact me and I can provide you with options to fit your unique requirements and budget!
What parts are replaced during the process?
This question ultimately comes down to the condition of the piano, what your artistic requirements are, as well as working within your budget.
For example, my clients with a modest budget will often choose to have the original hammers re-felted, all felt and cloth parts replaced, but keep the original wooden parts and keytops.
In a more complete rebuilding however, my clients can have all the hammers replaced with new factory hammers, new shanks and whippens built and installed, all-new felt and cloth parts, and new keytops installed.
"Hearing the technician play several pieces after the tuning was the cherry on top. Thank you, I couldn't hold back the tears."
-Julia G.
Reconditioning and Restoration
What is Action Restoration and Rebuilding?
The action is essentially the motor of your piano. As it ages and is used, it suffers wear and tear and eventually needs to be restored and rebuilt.
In a Restoration, the action is completely disassembled and cleaned, worn out parts are repaired, refurbished, or completely replaced, joints are lubricated, and the action is then completely re-assembled and regulated.
How long does rebuilding the action take? What is the cost?
This depends on how extensive the project is and how many custom parts need to be ordered. If the project requires few new parts, it often takes around 2 weeks. On projects where custom parts need to be manufactured (such as a new set of hammers) the project usually takes around 8 weeks.
Likewise, the cost varies significantly with each project. A simple restoration with few new replacement parts is usually around $800, while a complete restoration with all new parts can be several thousand dollars.
Since there's so many options when it comes to rebuilding and restoration, please contact me and I can provide you with options to fit your unique requirements and budget!
What parts are replaced during the process?
This question ultimately comes down to the condition of the piano, what your artistic requirements are, as well as working within your budget.
For example, my clients with a modest budget will often choose to have the original hammers re-felted, all felt and cloth parts replaced, but keep the original wooden parts and keytops.
In a more complete rebuilding however, my clients can have all the hammers replaced with new factory hammers, new shanks and whippens built and installed, all-new felt and cloth parts, and new keytops installed.
Does my piano need to be restrung?
How long does restringing take? What is the cost?
The first step in the process is sending your piano's factory bass strings off to the manufacturer for duplication. These strings are all custom made, and usually take 2-6 weeks to be produced and shipped.
However, if your piano is from a common brand (Steinway, Yamaha, Mason & Hamlin, etc.) the manufacturer can make the string set based off the factory specifications. (If this is the case, then I won't have to remove the existing bass strings until the restringing process)
The restringing process itself usually takes 3-4 days, and after the new strings are on the piano is tuned weekly for 2 weeks.
The total time from the start of the project to the finished product is usually 4-6 weeks and is all done in home without needing to move the piano.
The cost will vary from piano to piano depending on how much additional work you wish to have done, and how many custom strings need to be ordered, but the price is usually around $2,500.
What all is done during the restringing process?
In addition to replacing all tuning pins and strings on your piano, the restringing process provides the perfect opportunity to also do repair and restoration work to the soundboard and bridges of the piano.
