Tunings

The sound and personality of a piano is due to its construction mostly of wooden parts, which are particularly susceptible to seasonal changes in temperature and humidity. With time, a piano will definitely go out of tune. In concert halls, performance pianos are tuned at least weekly, and then touched up between performances. A piano that is not a concert or recital instrument ought to be tuned twice a year but absolutely not less than once a year. A piano receiving regular tuning becomes more stable and mechanically “healthy”.

The cost for a standard tuning is $165. While a normal tuning takes about 2 hours, I always allow 2.5 hours for a visit, as this allows time for simple fixes or minor adjustments made for no extra charge. If a tuning requires travel outside the Morgantown vicinity, a modest surcharge will be added for time and mileage.

Service & Repairs

A well-maintained piano will last a long time without need for major repairs. However, a piano will eventually need some TLC. Parts (over 12,000) will break, crack, wear out, dry out, or loosen as pianos are particularly vulnerable to wide changes in temperature and humidity. Strings, especially in the treble register, may break and need to be replaced.

*Special Note* - If a string breaks, do not discard it, as a piano uses multiple gauges of piano wire, which vary according to the manufacturer and the size of the instrument - from a small spinet to a 9 foot concert grand. A broken string is measured carefully so its replacement is identical in size and resonance. Broken strings in the treble register are replaced @ $20 per string. (Thicker bass strings break much less frequently but cost more to replace).

Many repairs and additional adjustments can be completed on site, others may require replacement parts, strings, lubricants, felts, shop work, etc. These repairs are priced according to the cost of the parts and time spent. Options can be discussed during the tuning and assessment of the instrument. Needed and approved extra work will be performed at a nominal charge of $30/half hour. More extensive work requiring two or more visits and outside shop work will be estimated on a case by case basis.