Tuning | Repairs | Adjustments
Essential Services
This sections was created for piano owners who may not be used to shopping for a piano tuner, but want to know more about me, my services, and piano service in general.
Select a service which suits your needs and budget. I will call or text ahead of time to make sure I am prepared for our appointment.
Prelude Service
I service pianos ranging from brand-spanking new to over 140 years of age. Some pianos are historically significant, or have special meaning to the family. Other times the piano is just a necessary part of running a club or hotel. Whatever purpose your piano serves, my job is to make it enjoyable to play, and to keep it playing well for years to come.
The Prelude Service is a first time service for pianos which have not been serviced for 10 years or more, and may require additional work such as
- Pitch Raising
- Vacuuming/debris removal
- Adjustments to the action (regulating)
- Hammer adjustments (voicing)
- Adjust pedals
- Repair sticky keys
- Cleaning keys
If you think you need this service, book the slot and shoot me a text. We can talk, share a video or two, or have a FaceTime call to determine your needs. If you booked this service and don't need it, I'll set you up fir the correct appointment making sure there is time in my schedule to take care of your piano.
Platinum Service
Platinum Service
Tuning a piano involves balancing 30,000 pounds of tension on over two hundreds strings so that the piano sings brilliantly. But there is more to maintaining a piano than tuning alone.
Mechanical changes sneak up on players because humans adjust to the piano as its performance declines. Unfortunately, so does the player's performance, and slowly they adjust their hard earned technique to compensate for the piano's declining performance.
Player Pianos such as Yamaha and Bösenderfer (Disklavier), Steinway Spirio, and PianoDisc and QRS PNOmation systems respond to these changes as well. They alter their
"technique," dutifully recreating songs in spite of the piano becoming less cooperative. Dynamics eventually suffer, and eventually the system may shut down to protect its circuitry.
Whether or not you need this service at each tuning, or only occasionally, it's offered to keep your piano sounding and playing its best. I'll help you determine when to book the Platinum Service, but if you have a late model or well maintained piano and know it needs some extra magic, this is the service to book.
Signature Tuning Service
Each piano tuner develops a way a turning the pins such that the tuning holds as long as possible. This is one of the components of "stability." Another technique some tuners use is to set individual strings such that they ring more clearly, sustain longer, and produce overtones or harmonics with greater clarity and volume. Not all pianos can be tuned in this manor, but owners notice that their piano "rings like a bell" after a tuning using this technique.
Action Refresh
Do you love your piano, but it's not loving you back? Refreshing a piano action is the first step to getting your piano into playing shape. Decades of dust build up and foreign objects such as pencils, paperclips and coins are removed, and the interior of the piano vacuumed out. Tightening over 500 screws and adjustments (regulation)improves the touch and control, and guarantees that all the keys will not suddenly stick.
Includes limited repairs, pedal adjustments, and lubrication.
Starting at $2500
Rebuilding
Reconditioning & Rebuilding
If your piano doesn't need rebuilding, Reconditioning might be the right option or you. We go through the entire piano with a fine tooth comb (and magnifying glasses!) to ensure that everything is working within reasonable tolerances. We clean, adjust, and repair original parts as needed to make your piano play wonderfully.
If you need more than reconditioning for a part or all of your piano, we will recommend rebuilding. Whether you need a set of new hammers, new strings, or your entire cabinet refinished, SF Piano Works will transform your piano back to the way it was when it left the factory. And sometimes just a wee bit better.
Estimates upon request.
pic. at right Steinway Model L with a new Wessell Nickel Gross Action