Greg’s tips

No. 1 - Before you consider a move:

Hire Professionals! Although I do not move pianos, I will be more than glad to furnish names of companies specializing in this. Read on:

Too many times I’ve had discussions with owners facing the fact that the unqualified movers (amateur or commercial moving businesses) they hired damaged their piano during handling and transport. A costly decision. These pianos suffer from scratches, broken or torn supports, missing parts, chips to corners, strap bruises and indentations, and destroyed casters, to name just a few examples. Insurance dealings can be unsatisfactory. And repair scenarios can require specialized furniture repair well beyond our capabilities.

Needing to store your piano during home renovations, or in-between moves? I offer safe storage options at my workshop.

Greg’s tips

No. 2 - Avoid extra tuning costs:

Your best decision - hire a tuner who is also a technician.

I am often called to do repairs on a piano after a visit from a tuner with no technical skills or qualifications. Many of these repairs are simple and can be completed in 10 minutes. Though, a non-technician’s rate may seem reasonable at $120-$150, do you want to receive only part of the service. Overlooking basic maintenance can become expensive in the long term. So, why put off repairs or pay extra costs to hire a separate tuner/technician when it can be done in one visit.

My base tuning fee ($200) includes minor repairs and adjustments to keep your piano maintained properly. The 2 hours spent tuning your piano includes working on sticking or sluggish keys and action parts, minor adjustments to touch, pedal work, vacuuming, and chasing down noises, clicks, knocks or squeaks.

Voice Therapy? Is your piano becoming bright and harsh sounding? Hammers can be hard and require voicing. But mostly they have acquired string grooves over time leading to premature wear. The shape of the hammer strike surface is like an egg. The smooth round shape allows it to strike the string and bounce off creating a centered clean tone. But a worn flattened string-grooved hammer essentially slaps the string confusing the harmonic nodes and creates a bright noisy tone. The most satisfying tunings (for both me and the player) require necessary hammer work. I’ll be glad to discuss a hammer refresh and voicing to top off your tuning.

Greg’s tips

No. 3 - Listen to your children (and more):

An out of tune piano - a reason why beginners might not take to the piano . . .

I recall doing an evaluation for a potential new owner on a large vintage upright. It needed very little work, cabinet was very nice, and it had a contemporary look. But, it was so out of tune it belonged in a carnival.

When asking the owner how long they owned it and why it was being let go, their main reason was the children lost interest. The conversation then led me to an important clue to the family’s indifference and frustration:

It was never tuned. And, the thinking was that if the children continued showing interest, they would then invest in a tuning.

There’s a reason why some ads say “Free Saloon Piano”.

Greg’s Montras

No. 4

The piano should be tuned so well that playing it becomes an addiction!

Be fussy, but be efficient

Efficiency Compliments Perfection!

Relationships!

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