Tuning

A tuning costs $150. It is beneficial for the long term health of your piano to have it tuned every six to twelve months.

Pitch Correction

If your piano has not been tuned for many years and it requires the pitch to be raised substantially, this process will cost $50 (plus $150 for a tuning). I would have to assess this in person.

Hammer Filing

Hammer Filing or Reshaping is the process of sanding old worn out hammers to give them a nice new striking surface. Hammers are like the souls of your shoes or tires on your car, they just wear out. After many years of playing, your felt hammers will wear down and the surface of the hammer that is striking the string will become hard and flat. After the hammer is reshaped the tip of the hammer will resemble a new hammer with a soft rounded tip. This will improve the tone  and dynamic range of your piano and will extend the life of your hammers before they need replacing. Prices will vary and an assessment would be required.

Voicing

The process of voicing changes the density of the hammer felt to alter the tonal quality of that note. A piano can be “voiced up” to become brighter and louder or “voiced down” to have a more soft and mellow tone. Often some minor voicing is needed just to even out the tone across the keyboard so that all notes have the same quality and none are sticking out. Sometimes you may find one note sounds harsh and nasal while it’s neighbour is dull and quiet. Voicing will make them sound the same!

Regulation

Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical parts of the piano action so that the instrument is playing at its optimum with even touch throughout the keyboard. The cost for regulation varies greatly depending on the piano and the job that is required and will require an assessment.

Repairs and Rebuilds

Most minor repairs can usually be done during a tuning, but if anything major is needed then an assessment of the job would be recommended. Complete rebuilds are also a possibility on an older instrument and could include anything from hammer replacement to string replacement to soundboard repair and more. I am happy to consult on these larger projects to offer my expertise in certain areas and coordinate any outsourcing needed for more extensive rebuilding.

Assessment

An assessment will give you an idea of the health of your instrument and what it will cost to maintain it in the future. Appraisals are available upon request.

Dampp Chaser Installation

I am a certified Dampp Chaser Technician and can do an estimate for installation upon request. Prices vary depending on the type of piano you have. The Dampp Chaser is an automatic humidity control system for your piano. More info can be found on their website.

Clean and Polish

A full cleaning inside and out, including sweeping the grand piano soundboard (under the strings), clean and lubricate action and minor detailing of the exterior.

Limited Income Discount

If you are on a limited income or are a non-profit organization I am happy to offer discounts to keep your piano in playing condition within your budget! Please ask!

Payment 

Payments can be made with credit card, e-transfer, as well as good old fashioned cash or cheque.