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Welcome to... |
www.pianoteam.com |
piano servicing page |
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Affordable Excellence Inspired by Family Tradition |
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905.855.1030 |
1.877.482.6037 |
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For prompt, quality, professional service at reasonable rate call 905-855-1030 to schedule your private appointment. All works supported by our written Warranty. We offer: |
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A piano ... |
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...not only serves the art of music, it is a work of art itself. A wonderfully complex machine, it has thousands of moving parts, a framework and soundboard supporting tremendous string tension, and beautifully finished cabinetry. Although remarkably durable, pianos are subject to deterioration with time and use. Felt wears, strings break, wooden structures weaken and crack, and the exterior finish loses its beauty. Regular service and periodic action regulation can compensate for minor wear, but heavy or extended use — especially when combined with wide seasonal humidity swings — can eventually cause severe deterioration. |
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Indeed, TUNING, (tone) VOICING and (action) REGULATION are three most important and most needed forms of piano service. |
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In simple terms, piano tuning is a procedure performed by a qualified piano technician ("piano tuner") that adjusts an instrument so that it sounds - "in tune". Some 230 strings in any piano are stretched at high tension (depending on a scale-design- there is some 17-20 tons of the string tension) across a cast-iron plate (frame), one end of each string being attached to a hitch pin an the other end coiled around a tuning pin. The pitch of each string when vibrating depends, among other factors, on the tension at which it's stretched. By turning the tuning pin, using the device (wrench) called "the tuning hammer" the tension can be tightened or slackened, and thus the pitch altered as assessed by the technician and guided by the reference point. |
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Internationally accepted reference point is A 440, also known as a "concert pitch"-produced by a "tuning fork". "A 440" (440 vibrations per second) is a term that describes note A above the middle C and is defined as the sound produced by the "A-fork" or the tuning fork . Tuning, then, means adjusting the tension of each of the piano strings, using a tuning hammer to turn the tuning pins, so that the pitch of each string sounds pleasingly in harmony with the reference point, note A, and every other string according to certain known acoustical laws, aesthetic rules and customs. |
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Piano tuning, in essence, is a fairly simple procedure however it requires a very special skill, talent rather, as well as training and experience. |
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Some piano technicians describe the voicing as changing the tonal color of the piano. Even in tune, piano's tone may not be even, some notes or even the whole groups of notes may sound "sharper" or "softer" (mellower) then the rest of the notes on the piano. The process performed by a qualified piano technician that brings those uneven notes in tonal balance with the remaining notes, and with each other, in simple terms, is called a tone voicing. Voicing, technically speaking, is performed by adjusting and (or sometimes repairing) the piano hammer's felts. By making the felt on the hammer softer, the sharp sound transforms into more pleasant, softer sound. Similarly, by changing the density of the softer felt , piano hammer produces brighter sound. So, voicing can be performed as voicing-up, or voicing-down, depending on the "tonal status". Voicing can be done as a minor adjustment of only few notes on the piano, still, dedicated piano technician may spent more time voicing those few notes then on tuning the piano. However in some cases a complete voicing (change of the color of the tone) may be requested. The fact is that many new pianos are designed to produce loud, sharp, often metallic sound as its original tone setting - aimed to attract inexperienced buyer and/or beginner player. As the level of playing skill develops, the player starts to have difficulties in working necessary dynamic contrast on such instrument, and often asks piano technician to try to change the harshness of the sound - tone voicing then becomes the (only) option. We are often approached by customers that purchased new pianos elsewhere and with maturity of their skill and taste ask for the tone of their piano to be improved. While voicing can somewhat improve the overall quality of the sound, the best is to avoid purchasing "loud", "harsh"- metallic or bright sounding new pianos. Rather look for mellower, softer sounding instrument: Aside from presenting the obvious difference in the design, the softer sounding piano will only improve in richness of the tone in years to come, contrary to the loud or harsh sounding ones. |
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What is regulation and how does it affect piano's performance?
Regulation is
the adjustment of the mechanical aspects of
the pianos to compensate for the effects of
wear, the compacting and settling of cloth,
felt, and buckskin, as well as dimensional
changes in wood and wool parts due to
changes in humidity.
While tuning
corrects the pitch of your piano, it is only
one component of a complete maintenance
program. Regulation attends to the touch and
uniform responsiveness of your action, all
vital to making each performance
pleasurable. In addition, regulation ensures
that your instrument is capable of producing
a wide dynamic range -- a critical factor,
particularly in pianissimo passages. |
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Upright piano action has 25 points of adjustment for each note |
Grand Piano action has 35 points of adjustment for each note (key). |
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Today, many high-quality older pianos exist in various stages of wear. Because it happens so gradually, this wear often goes unnoticed, leaving many pianos operating far below their potential. In extreme cases, some older pianos are simply left unplayed because of their poor condition. Some technicians possess the skills to restore such instruments to excellent condition. This work is variously described as rebuilding, restoration, renovation, remanufacturing, refurbishing, or reconditioning. To establish some uniformity, the Piano Technicians Guild uses the following terms: |
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is the
process of putting a piano back in good
condition by cleaning, repairing, and
adjusting for best performance with parts
replacement only where necessary. This is
most appropriate for a piano with only
moderate wear or those of medium value with
average performance requirements.
Reconditioning does not involve replacing major components such as the soundboard, bridges, pin-block, and most action parts. This means the performance and life-span of an older piano will not be restored to new. Instead, reconditioning is designed to improve a piano's performance, keeping in mind both costs and benefits. |
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involves
complete disassembly, inspection, and repair
as necessary, including replacement of all
worn, damaged, or deteriorated parts.
The piano is then reassembled, tested, and
adjusted to the same or similar tolerances
as new. Complete rebuilding includes
the entire piano structure -- including
soundboard, bridges, pin-block, and strings
— as well as the action, keyboard, and case
refinishing. Partial rebuilding includes
only one or two of these areas, for example
rebuilding of the action and structure, but
not case refinishing.
Rebuilding restores the piano to original condition or better. Such comprehensive work is usually most practical for high-quality instruments where maximum performance and longevity are required. |
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In the short term, leather and felt compact, affecting the adjustment (regulation) of the parts. The action becomes uneven and less responsive, and the piano's tone loses dynamic range. Squeaks and rattles may develop. Routine maintenance such as hammer filing, regulation, voicing, and tuning will correct these problems and maintain the piano in near-new condition. After extended or very heavy use, action parts become severely worn. Leather and felt wear thin. Keys become wobbly, hammer felt gets too thin to produce good tone, and the action becomes noisy. Regulation adjustments reach their limit. In addition, piano strings may begin breaking and the copper windings of bass strings lose resonance. After decades of exposure to seasonal changes, the wood of the soundboard, bridges, and pinblock is weakened. This causes loose tuning pins, poor tuning stability, and further loss of tone. By this time the piano's finish will often be scratched or faded. |
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Most pianos can be played for many years without major repairs. However, the tone, touch, and appearance will continually decline with age. If piano received no regular maintenance and/or when regular maintenance such as cleaning, regulating, voicing, and tuning can no longer provide satisfactory performance, a piano may require reconditioning or rebuilding. Exactly when a piano needs rebuilding or reconditioning depends on its original quality, the climate, usage, and performance requirements. One piano may need rebuilding after just twenty years, while another may need only reconditioning after fifty years. The best way to decide is to seek out a qualified piano technician with the judgment, experience, and expertise to advise you on such an important decision. Our store offers a full service of used pianos and all works are fully guaranteed. Please call 905-855-1030 for full details or to discuss your needs. |
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Not all pianos are worth the expense of reconditioning or rebuilding. In consultation with experienced piano technician, you should consider the following factors:
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Reconditioning may include:
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Complete rebuilding typically includes:
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If you suspect that your piano needs major repairs, have a complete evaluation done by a qualified piano technician. Discuss costs versus benefits of various repair options, and whether the completed piano would meet your performance requirements. Clarkson Piano Centre offers the "piano assessment service" - a detailed evaluation of your piano's condition with recommended restoration options. The cost for this service is $50 (+7% tax).We encourage you to ask for a second opinion and evaluation. Consistent recommendations by our customers - "word-of-mouth" advertising- creates on a steady basis a waiting list of approximately 2-5 weeks for taking major new restorative piano work. We are confident, it is worth to wait and get your piano restored with us! You will get the best possible work performed at very reasonable cost! All works are supported by our written guarantee! |
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The piano is unique among musical instruments because it also serves as fine furniture for the home. In fact, the term "piano finish" has traditionally been used to describe the highest standards in wood finishing. Properly maintaining that fine finish will enhance your home's decor and preserve the value of your piano. |
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Basic Finish Care Modern pianos are finished with a variety of materials, from traditional lacquer to modern polyurethanes and polyester resins. Whatever the material, a piano finish is designed to protect the wood from dirt and liquid spills, reduce the damaging effects of humidity changes, and — in the case of clear finishes — enhance the beauty of the wood. Modern finishes are designed to do their job without the additional aid of polishes or waxes. In most cases, a piano finish is best maintained by simply keeping it clean and avoiding exposure to direct sunlight, extremes of temperature and humidity, and abrasion. |
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1. Avoiding finish damage. Your piano's cabinet, like all woodwork, is subject to expansion and contraction with humidity changes. Excessive wood movement can eventually cause the finish to develop tiny cracks and even separate from the wood. Moderating the temperature and humidity swings around the piano will help to preserve its finish as well as its overall structure and tuning stability. Locate the piano in a room with a fairly even temperature, away from drafts, dampness, and heat sources. Always avoid direct sunlight — it will age the finish prematurely and cause color fading. To prevent scratches, never set objects on your piano without a soft cloth or felt pad. Never place plants or drinks on a piano, because spillage and condensation can cause major damage. 2. Dusting your piano. Dust is very abrasive, and can scratch the finish if wiped off with a dry cloth. To avoid scratching, dust the piano lightly with a feather duster. Alternatively, wipe lightly with a soft damp cloth to pick up the dust, followed immediately with a dry cloth. The cloths should be soft cotton such as flannel, because coarse or synthetic fabrics can scratch some finishes. Wring out the damp cloth thoroughly so it leaves no visible moisture on the surface. To avoid creating swirl marks, always wipe with long straight strokes rather than circular motions. Wipe with the grain for natural wood finishes, or in the direction of the existing sheen pattern for solid-color satin finishes. Because some exposed parts inside your piano are fragile, it's best to let your technician clean these areas. |
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3. Cleaning the finish. To remove smudges and fingerprints, first dust using the damp/dry cloths as above. If heavier cleaning is necessary, dampen your cloth with a small amount of mild soap solution. A common product is Murphy's Oil Soap, available at most grocery and hardware stores.
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4. To polish or not? Before using polish on your piano, be sure it is actually necessary and beneficial. In general, most manufacturers recommend against using polishes because of the potential for damage to the finish and contamination of other parts of the instrument. Common household products such as "lemon oil" or inexpensive "furniture polish" should be avoided. Despite the labels' claims that they "protect" the finish or "feed" the wood, they offer no protection from scratching and can actually soften the finish if overused. Worse, they often contain silicones and oils that contaminate the wood, complicating future refinishing or repairs. Silicone is especially dangerous because of its tendency to spread within the piano, sometimes causing extensive internal damage. Avoid aerosol products altogether since the over-spray can contaminate piano strings, tuning pins and action parts. An appropriate polish can help to restore lustre to a dulled finish or reduce the tendency of some finishes to show fingerprints. However, it should be applied sparingly and infrequently, and all excess should be wiped clean with a soft dry cloth so no visible film remains. To prevent scratching, always dust before polishing. Specific recommendations follow. 5. Removing a heavy polish build-up. If your piano's finish appears gummy, oily, or streaked, it may be contaminated with too much or the wrong type of polish. Adding more polish will not correct this problem. Instead the finish should be thoroughly cleaned, then evaluated for any further treatment. To remove accumulations of old polish, use a cloth dampened with a mild soap solution as in item 3 above. Wring the cloth thoroughly to minimize wetting of the finish, and dry the surface immediately. Test a small area first to make sure the washing does not cause white marks or softening of an older finish. If stronger cleaning is necessary, look for a product called "wood cleaner and wax remover" at hardware or wood workers supply stores, or ask your technician for a suggestion. Once the original finish is clean, you can either leave it as is or enhance the gloss and clarity with an appropriate polish according to the finish type listed below. |
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The two most common piano finishes are lacquer and polyester. Either material may come in clear, black, white, or other colors. Check your piano's owner information booklet to determine the type and recommended care of your piano's finish, or ask your technician or dealer for help if you're not sure. Lacquer: |