Tuning

Tuning: For our tunings we use the computerized Sanderson Accu-Tuner® which provides your piano with unsurpassed accuracy in tuning and pitch. This instrument was developed by Dr. Albert Sanderson, David's father. We invite you to learn more about the Accu-tuner® and it's inventor at www.accu-tuner.com. We recommend you tuning your piano every six months to a year.

Humidity Control: Humidity fluctuation is the number one cause of a piano going out of tune. The fluctuation in humidity that we experience here in New England with our seasonal changes points to a need to moderate the extremes. Installing a Damp Chaser System will stabilize your tuning by moderating the extreme humidity fluctuations that we experience. Since 1947 Damp-Chaser Systems have protected fine pianos from the damaging effects of environmental humidity fluctuations. By maintaining your piano at an average 42% relative humidity as recommended by piano manufacturers, this system stabilizes a piano and extends the tuning life. It is hardly visible under the piano and requires minimal maintenance.

Repairs

Pinblock Treatments: This procedure can be done to improve the ability of the tuning pins to hold the tension on the strings. It requires two visits to your home. On the first visit we give the piano a preliminary tuning and then treat the pinblock. It must set for approximately 24 hours. We then come back and give the piano a final tuning. This has been very successful in reclaiming pianos that otherwise would not hold a tune.

Action Service: This service restores the moving parts inside the piano to a responsive, quiet, fluid motion. It may require the tightening of screws, application of lubricants, the reshaping of hammers. We look at excessive friction in the keys and action as well.

Voicing: Enriches the tone of your piano. We can make adjustments to bring your piano's tone to a brighter or mellower sound. The technician can change the density, and shape of the hammers and properly align the hammers with the strings. These changes can produce amazing tonal results. The strings may also need to be leveled and seated on the bridge so that they resonate and sustain properly.

Regulation: The process of making fine adjustments to the piano's action is called regulation. We adjust the action to compensate for changes due to wear and environmental effects on the wood and cloth parts. These adjustments improve the timing and response of the action.

Iron Key Bushing:: If you notice that your keys rattle or make noise during playing it is due to the wear of small pieces of woven clothe found inside the key, called key bushings. The purpose of the key bushing is to buffer the key wood from the guide pins. The noise and rattling indicate that the key bushings may need to be ironed or replaced. This process requires the technician to bring the keys into the shop.