SERVICES AND COSTS
RECESSION SPECIAL:
20% discount if you get your piano tuned during the same month that you had it tuned last year.
Not valid with any other offers.
TUNING: $140 before discount
(10% discount applies for New Customers, University Park/College Park Customers, NonProfit Organizations, Multiple Pianos – including your neighbors’ pianos, and other special promotions)
NEW PIANOS REQUIRE MORE FREQUENT TUNING DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR.
PITCH RAISE: (sometimes necessary when a piano has been neglected)
$4 extra for each cent (1% of a half step) away from standard pitch (A-440) beyond the first 15 cents deviation.
Examples: Your piano is 20 cents flat or sharp. You pay $20 extra.
Your piano is 35 cents flat or sharp. You pay $80 extra.
It’s unusual for pianos to deviate more than 20 cents in either direction between tunings, unless affected by neglect, extreme climate swings, or very loose tuning pins.
REPAIRS/MINOR REGULATION: $60 per hour
Please tell your technician when making your appointment if you know of anything that is not functioning properly, so that she can schedule extra time to correct it. Identify the notes affected and mark them with masking tape or Post-Its. Do not assume that malfunctions will “be found” during a tuning – some will, some won’t. The more information you can give your tech, the less time you will end up paying for.
KEY RECOVERING: $250, white keys only
A cosmetic repair to replace a set of damaged key surfaces with plastic. If black keys need attention, please ask for a quote.
VOICING: $60 per hour
If your piano still sounds bad after it’s been tuned, or if you feel the tone is not the same as it used to be, it’s likely it needs voicing. This is working on the felt of the hammers by various means to modify the tone produced. All piano hammers compact with time and use, causing the piano tone to become brighter, uneven from note to note, and possibly harsh. Fortunately, a little modification makes a huge difference in the tone!
REGULATION: Vertical pianos $360
Grand pianos $800
This is the time-consuming process of adjusting every note of your piano’s action back as closely as possible to the original specifications, compensating for wear, to restore power to the piano and control to the player. All pianos need this service from time to time. A good test of whether your piano needs regulation is whether it is possible to play softly with control. Or you might notice that some notes “feel” different from their neighbors.
RECONDITIONING OR RESTRINGING: Vertical pianos $600-$1000
Grand pianos $900-$2000
Includes replacing worn or missing parts, cleaning, lubrication, and a complete regulation. Please ask for a quote specifically for your piano. There are many variable factors in these services.
REBUILDING: We do not provide this service, but can refer you to rebuilders.
Rebuilding entails replacing many of the piano’s “guts,” including major structural components like soundboard and pinblock, regulating, and refinishing the case. Costs are generally in the high thousands and the service is appropriate for pianos of high investment value or great sentimental value.
CLIMATE CONTROL INSTALLATION: Vertical pianos $480
Grand pianos $580
Takes roughly two hours and protects your piano for a lifetime from fluctuations in relative humidity. Please visit www.dampp-chaser.com for information about the state-of the-art system that includes one or more dehumidifiers, a humidifier, and a humidistat to keep your piano’s environment close to 42% RH at all times. Dampp-Chaser is endorsed by all major piano manufacturers and does not void your warranty. It must be installed by a trained technician.
APPRAISAL: Verbal, no written report $90
With written report $140
For insurance coverage, evaluations prior to buying or selling, inheritance, etc.
10% discount if I am already going to service the piano – but be sure to schedule extra time in this case.
Depending on location of piano, some travel charges may apply.
ADVICE: Free, within reasonable limits of course. |