Services

I mainly tune pianos by ear.  I also use a professional piano tuning app. on my iPad to verify the proximity to A-440, aid in noisy environments, or when performing a pitch raise.  This allows me the freedom to be able to custom set the temperament and make fine adjustments that suit each individual piano's personality and potential.

​

The standard tuning schedule is twice per year, or more frequently depending on the piano's use, condition, and environment.  At the very minimum a piano should be tuned once per year, even if it isn't being played.  If your piano has gone without tuning for more than one year, it may have dropped in pitch too much to be brought back up in one tuning.   In this case, a pitch raise will be required.  That consists of stretching the strings above standard pitch by a calculated amount, so that the pitch ends up close enough to A-440 as they settle down, and then on the final tuning it will remain at the proper pitch.  If that is the case with your piano, please see the tuning options below, the Service Area map, or request a quote and I will explain your options.

​

A Regular Tuning starts at $110 plus NC sales & use tax, depending on your location.  This applies to pianos that are routinely serviced at least once per year or more frequently, and is a single-pass fine tuning.  I allow up to two hours for this level of tuning.  See the Service Area map below for location-based pricing, or request a quote.  When you're ready, you can book your next appointment by clicking the "BOOK NOW" link.

​

A Rescue Tuning starts at $165 plus NC sales & use tax, depending on your location.  This normally applies to pianos that have not been tuned in a few years or are up to 50 cents off-pitch.  This level of tuning includes a single-pass stretch of each string to restore proper tension to the soundboard, bridges, and strings prior to the fine tuning.  The stretch process is crucial to ensure the stability of the tuning.  I utilize an electronic tuning app. for this process, in order to calculate the precise overpull needed to safely raise the tension.  I allow up to three hours for this level of tuning.  See the Service Area map below for location-based pricing, or request a quote.  When you're ready, you can book your next appointment by clicking the "BOOK NOW" link.

​

A Restoration Tuning starts at $220 plus NC sales & use tax, depending on your location.  This normally applies to pianos that have not been tuned in several years or are between 50 to 100 cents off-pitch.  This level of tuning involves a double-pass stretch of each string, to restore proper tension to the soundboard, bridges, and strings, prior to the fine tuning.  The stretch process is crucial to ensure the stability of the tuning.  I utilize an electronic tuning app. for this process, in order to calculate the precise overpull needed to safely raise the tension.  I allow up to four hours for this level of tuning.  See the Service Area map below for location-based pricing, or request a quote.  When you're ready, you can book your next appointment by clicking the "BOOK NOW" link.

​

If the piano is greater than 100 cents off-pitch, it will be an additional hourly labor rate for each pass of string stretching required to rebuild the tension and safely bring it back to standard pitch.

​

Disclaimer:  Technicians do not break plates or strings.  Plates and strings break because of poor manufacturing quality or because their integrity has been compromised due to neglect, rust, etc.  I am not responsible for broken plates or strings.  Repairs will be charged the standard labor rate plus the cost of materials. 

Piano Repair & Maintenance

Each style and size of piano has multiple moving parts with adjustments that can be made.  Over time, felt, leather, and wood wear down, causing lost motion and sloppiness in the action.  This reduces the precision of the instrument, requiring more effort to play, decreasing the pianists control, and truly limiting the potential of the instrument and the instrumentalist.  Routine maintenance and regulation will preserve and even extend the life of a piano, while making it more enjoyable at the same time.  Piano manufacturers recommend having the action regulated every 5 years, and fine adjustments as needed.

​

My labor rate for repairs and maintenance starts at $55 per hour plus NC sales & use tax, in addition to the cost of any parts and materials required.  See the Service Area map below for location-based pricing, or request a quote. All jobs are billed in hourly increments.

Piano Cleaning

Make it Look Better

Dust, dinginess, and deterioration can make a wonderful instrument look and play undesirably.  I specialize in detailing the piano exterior and interior.  This is especially crucial for a grand piano, since they tend to be opened and much more visibly exposed.  Grand pianos are often purchased for their visual appeal, which means there must be extra attention given to it's cleanliness.

​

The interior of the piano is even more important to keep clean because it affects the playability of the instrument.  Dust and corrosion will turn a lively action into a sluggish action, giving a frustrating experience to the pianist.  A thorough cleaning also involves thorough lubrication.  I use PianoTek CLP, which is a cleaner, lubricant, and protectant, to treat all of the points of contact and rotation in the action, ensuring that it moves freely and functions properly.

​

A Full Detail cleaning of a typical vertical piano starts at $110 plus NC sales & use tax, depending on your location.  See the Service Area map below for location-based pricing, or request a quote.

​

A Full Detail cleaning of a spinet or grand piano starts at $165 plus NC sales & use tax, depending on your location.  See the Service Area map below for location-based pricing, or request a quote.