Not Sure What Your Piano Needs?

Bring your piano back into harmony.

A basic piano tuning is $200 and generally takes about 1–2 hours. Minor adjustments may be included when needed. David recommends tuning at least once a year, depending on the piano, its environment, and how long it has been since its last service.

Before tuning, David checks the piano’s current pitch, tension, sound, and playability and compares it with the A-440 concert-pitch standard. If the piano is significantly above or below standard pitch, additional pitch correction may be needed before the instrument can be brought into a more stable tuning.

Pianos that have gone many years without tuning can often still be improved substantially. When a major pitch adjustment is required, David may recommend a follow-up tuning in approximately 4–8 weeks to help improve tuning stability.

The goal is to bring all 88 notes into better balance so the piano sounds fuller, cleaner, and more unified across the keyboard.

Small problems can make a big difference.

A piano contains thousands of components made primarily from wood, felt, and metal. As those materials age and wear, keys can begin sticking, noises can develop, and mechanical parts can loosen, compress, or break.

Minor Repairs

Many common problems can be addressed during a routine service visit, including:

• Sticking, crooked, or slow-returning keys

• Clicking or squeaking keys and pedals

• Small broken or missing components

• Foreign objects beneath the keys, such as coins, pencils, paper clips, or other debris

Some simple corrections are complimentary when performed as part of David's Basic Tuning Service.

More Involved Repairs

Other repairs may require additional parts, labor, or a separate appointment. These can include broken or missing strings, tuning pins, worn key bushings, loose or broken hammers, damaged keytops, bridge problems, and other worn or non-functioning action components.

Repair Pricing

Rather than applying one hourly rate to every repair, David prices repair work according to the parts, time, and work involved in the individual job. For more extensive work, you'll receive an estimate and options before repairs begin.

Dust and debris don't stop at the keyboard. Over time, dirt and ordinary household objects can accumulate underneath the keys and inside areas of the piano that aren't easily accessible during normal household cleaning.

Complimentary Basic Cleaning

David commonly includes a quick vacuum and brushing with his tuning service when appropriate. This basic cleaning generally takes only a few minutes and removes readily accessible dust and debris.

Deep Piano Cleaning

For instruments requiring more attention, a deep cleaning can include areas such as:

• underneath the keys

• action bedding

• front and balance rails

• keys

• beneath the strings

• tuning pins

• bridge

• soundboard

Depending on the piano's condition, deep cleaning may take approximately 2–5 hours.

Deep Cleaning — Starting at $200

Unusually extensive or unsanitary conditions may require additional time and are discussed with the customer before proceeding.

Shape the character of your piano's tone.

A piano can be perfectly in tune and still have a tone that feels too bright, harsh, dull, or uneven.

Voicing is about tone rather than pitch.

By carefully working with the hammer felt, David can adjust how the hammers interact with the strings—helping mellow an overly abrasive sound, bring more life to a dull tone, and create greater consistency from note to note.

When appropriate, David can voice a few sample notes at no charge so you can hear the potential difference before deciding whether you'd like additional work performed.

Voicing Rates

Basic Upright Voicing
Starting at $100–$150

Grand Piano Voicing
Starting at $250–$500

Extensive Hammer Reshaping / Deep Needling
For instruments requiring significantly more involved work, including some concert grands, service may begin around $750 and is discussed individually before proceeding.

Restore a smoother, more responsive touch.

As tuning affects the pitch of the piano, Regulation (or Recalibration) addresses how evenly and smoothly the piano plays.

Over years of use, the many mechanical relationships between the keys, hammers, dampers, pedals, and other action components can gradually move away from their optimal settings. Regulation carefully adjusts these components to improve consistency, control, and responsiveness across the keyboard.

Depending on the piano, regulation may include adjustments to:

Hammer distance
Consistent movement from rest position toward the strings.

Key height & key dip
Creating a more uniform keyboard and consistent key travel.

Pedals & dampers
Improving timing and mechanical operation.

Lost motion
Reducing unnecessary movement between the key and action for a more immediate response.

David also considers the individual pianist's preferred touch, including differences in desired power and speed.

Regulation Options

Lost-Motion Adjustment — approximately $150

For some pianos, correcting excessive lost motion can provide a noticeable improvement without performing a complete regulation.

Complete Regulation — approximately $750–$1,000

A piano that has gone 10, 20, or more years without regulation may require four or more hours of adjustment. Exact requirements vary by instrument.

Know the instrument before you make the investment.

Considering buying a used piano? Preparing to sell one? Or simply wondering about the condition of the piano you already own?

A professional evaluation can help you understand what is happening inside the instrument, not simply how it looks from the outside.

David uses a checklist to assess the piano's major components and provide information about its condition and potential repair or restoration needs.

Piano Evaluation — $100

If you decide to have David perform service on the piano he evaluated, the $100 evaluation fee can be applied toward that work.

I do not move pianos, but I can provide reliable references upon request.