Services

Basic Tuning

$165

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Piano tuning is the act of adjusting the tension of the strings of an acoustic piano so that the musical intervals between strings are in tune.  The meaning of the term 'in tune', in the context of piano tuning, is not simply a particular fixed set of pitches.  Fine piano tuning requires an assessment of the vibration interaction among notes, which is different for every piano, thus in practice requiring slightly different pitches from any theoretical standard.  Pianos are usually tuned to a modified version of the system called equal temperament.

Pitch Correction or  Pitch Raise

​$50/$90/$120

(In addition to the tuning fee)

Pianos are generally tuned to the pitch of A4 being 440hz.  This is the standard (A above middle C vibrates at 440hz per second) that was adopted during the early 1900s in response to widely varying standards. A 'pitch raise' or 'pitch correction' or 'double tuning' is the term used to describe the process of changing the pitch of a piano prior to a fine tuning when the pitch has shifted more than 10% of a semi-tone. In these cases, the piano needs to be tuned more than once ($50+tuning fee). If the piano is more than 50% below pitch, it will need to be tuned two to three times ($90+tuning fee). If the piano is more than 100% flat, it will need to be tuned three or more times to bring it to A440 ($120+tuning fee).

Regulation - Adjusting Pianos Performance   

All pianos contain many mechanical parts that cause the strings to sound when the keys are played.  Collectively, these parts are called  the “action”. Regulation is the process of adjusting the action for the most efficient operation possible.  There are a number of signs that tell you that your piano needs regulation:   

1. Keys that are not Level, some that are higher or lower than the rest.
   Keys that are sticking.
   Sluggish Action
   Lack of dynamic range.
   Uneven touch.
   Loss of playing power.
   Inability to play quick passages.

Regulating the action parts compensates for wear and tear of parts, settling of felt and leather, and changes in dimensions of wood. The cost of regulating depends on the use of the piano and the demands of the pianist.   Some musicians want the piano to play at the best level possible, while others just want the piano to play a little better than it does.  The first option requires much more work than the second option and is priced accordingly.                                                                                                                            

If you want to delay the cost of a complete regulation, it can be performed gradually over time.  This way the most needed adjustments can be addressed first and less critical items addressed later.                                                                                                       

Ideally, a "touch-up" regulation should be performed every few years to prevent the piano from becoming wildly out of adjustment.    The cost of regulation does not include repairs or parts replacements.

Price: $400 - $800 Upright Piano.

Price: $1200 - $1800 Grand Piano.

Pre-Purchase Inspection

Russ can assist you in the purchase of a piano, new or used, at both piano retailers and private locations. In addition, he can advise you on the best piano to meet your artistic needs while maintaining your budget constraints.

During the purchase consultation, Russ will explain each part of the piano that is inspected and what is discovered during the process. If repairs are needed, a cost estimate for the repairs will be provided.

Price: $100.   (with in service area) 

Climate Control System and Installation

Pianos go out of tune because changes in humidity cause expansion or contraction of the piano’s soundboard. The soundboard movement changes the tension of the strings, which causes the piano to go out of tune.  The expansion of the wood in the piano can also cause soundboards and bridges to crack.  A Climate Control System, also known as the Piano Life Saver System, helps maintain the humidity of your piano around 42%. Maintaining a consistent level of humidity for your piano helps reduce the significant fluctuations in pitch by stabilizing the crown of the soundboard which can increase and decrease with the changes in weather. In addition, reducing the significant fluctuations in relative humidity can help reduce the aging process of the wood parts of the piano. For more information, visit www.pianolifesaver.com.    

The Piano Life Saver™ system keeps the humidity inside your piano at the proper level all year long. This maintains tuning stability and increases the life of your piano.
 

Price: $650 for most upright pianos and $750 for most grand pianos.

Cleaning 

Over time, pianos accumulate dust and debris both on the inside and outside. Inside the piano there are many mechanical parts that make up the piano’s action. Dust and debris cause the action to be sluggish and respond poorly to playing. In addition, dust and debris cause premature wear on parts, thus shortening the piano’s life. Cleaning the action, vacuuming under the keys, and polishing keypins can improve performance and longevity of the piano.

Most cleaning emphasizes  the inside of the piano, where most piano owners are not able to reach. If desired, the outside of the piano can also be cleaned at a slightly higher rate.

Price: $100

Half-day and Full-Day Service

New pianos come from the factory with all adjustments set to the factory specifications. This assures that the piano is playing at its  best. Over time, the piano’s adjustments change and parts wear and the piano does not play as it once did. Older pianos will be  out of adjustment to a greater degree than a newer piano and possibly need repairs.

Scheduling a large block of time allows several areas of need to be addressed in a single appointment.  Maybe the piano needs cleaning, hammer filing, regulation touch up, maybe a couple of hammers have broken off. Perhaps the piano needs voicing because its tone is unpleasant. Maybe you want more than just the piano tuned but don’t know what is needed.

Requesting a block of time will allow the technician to determine the need and priority of  the service needed to bring the piano into much better playing  condition. Neither option permits enough time to fix everything, but it will bring the  performance to a higher level.

Price: Half-day service (4 hours) $350

Price: Full-day service (8 hours) $700

Repairs,

All pianos require repairs or adjustments from time to time. Many of these services can be performed on site.

Price: Accurate estimates can only be made after looking the piano to determine the exact nature of the service required to return the piano to a usable condition.

Service area;

Culpeper, VA, Madison, VA, Orange, VA, Gordonsville, VA, Zion Crossroads, VA,  Locust Grove, VA,  Ruckersville, VA, Fredericksburg, VA, Charlottsville, VA,  Louisa, VA,   Stanardsville, VA, Sperryville, VA, Mineral, VA, Washington, VA, Warrenton, VA, Spotsylvainia Courthouse, VA, Front Royal, VA, Manassas, VA, Luray, VA, Bealeton, VA, Opal, VA, Amissvile, VA, Jeffersonton, VA, Flint Hill, VA, Huntly, VA, Boston, VA,  Brightwood, VA, Wolftown, VA, Pratts, VA, Mitchells, VA, Rapidan, VA, Unionville, VA, Lake of the woods, VA, Brandy Station, VA, Remington, VA, Catlett, VA, Sumerduck, VA, Morrisville, VA, Chancellor, VA,  Keswick, VA, Barboursville, VA, Somerset, VA, Rochelle, VA, Midland, VA