Our Services
Piano Tuning
The primary factors that cause pianos to fall out of tune are temperature, humidity, moving and routine playing. We use a combination of aural tuning (by ear) and digital tools to fine-tune each string of the piano, ensuring a precise and stable tuning.
A tuning appointment typically lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. During this visit, we will also adjust your piano’s pedals and provide a brief summary of your piano’s overall condition and advise of any improvements that could be made.
It is recommended that a piano be tuned two to four times annually. If a piano has not been tuned for a significant length of time, a pitch raise is often necessary.
Price: $160 + HST
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Pitch Raise
Pianos are designed to sound their richest and most lively when they are tuned to concert pitch (A440). Over time, the tension of piano strings can relax, and the strings will stretch out, causing the entire instrument to fall flat in pitch. While the strings may still sound somewhat in tune with one another, the overall pitch of the piano will be incorrect — sometimes up to an entire semitone flat. When this happens, a pitch raise is recommended.
During a pitch raise, the piano technician will raise the tension of each string to return the piano’s strings and structure back into equilibrium and return the instrument to concert pitch. Once these major adjustments have been made to the string tension, the technician will then make a second pass to fine-tune each string and stabilize the tuning.
Maintaining a piano at concert pitch is recommended for pianists who accompany voices or other instruments, as well as for anyone studying piano and ear training, as proper pitch is essential to these studies.
Price: $70 + HST (in addition to standard tuning fee)
Regulation
egulation and voicing improve the touch and tone of your piano, respectively. These two services are often performed simultaneously. A piano has many moving parts, most of which are made of natural materials. Over time, these materials can warp, compress, expand, wear or break due to frequent playing and environmental factors.
Piano regulation involves correcting the relationships of these moving parts and replacing or repairing worn and broken parts when the piano action begins to feel sluggish, loose or non-responsive. To maintain the best control, power and dynamic range of your piano, it is important to have it regulated every three to five years.
Prices vary depending on your piano’s condition and unique needs. Request a quote from us today.
Voicing
Piano voicing involves fine adjustments to the piano hammers, which are made of natural fibres and can compress over time, resulting in a harsh, metallic or uneven tone. Using files and specialized needles, we reshape and modify the density of each hammer to bring out the best tone, clarity, projection and sustain in your piano.
Prices vary depending on your piano’s condition and unique needs. Request a quote from us today.
Cleaning
Interior cleaning is done using special tools and attachments that allow us to access the piano action and interior crevices. We remove dust, debris and build-up that can hinder your piano’s performance.
Exterior cleaning protects your piano’s finish, maintains its beauty and preserves its value.
Ask us for recommendations for cleaners and polishes to suit your piano’s finish.
Price: Upright – $145 + HST Grand – $160 + HST
Dampp-Chaser Humidity Control Systems
Environmental stability is crucial to piano care. Ideally, the relative humidity in your home should be 40-45%. Variances in temperature and humidity can cause the wood in your piano to shrink or swell, resulting in tuning instability, cracks and damaged glue joints. High humidity can also cause piano strings and tuning pins to rust.
Perhaps the most effective system for internal humidity control in pianos is the Piano Life Saver System. This system takes little more than an hour to install and can provide years of protection against the destructive effects of humidity fluctuations that are particularly prevalent in southwestern Ontario.
To learn more about the Piano Life Saver System, click here or contact us.
Prices:
Upright: $685 + HST
Grand: $720 + HST
Repairs & Refurbishing
We provide a broad range of services to help your piano function at its best. From small repairs to full-scale rebuilding, we are experts in all areas of piano maintenance and care.
Whether you have a chipped key top, a cracked sound board, we can help.
Not sure where to start? A piano assessment is a helpful first step for many players. An assessment will give you the information you need about your piano’s overall condition, and we can provide a list of recommended and optional services to help return your piano to the level of quality and playability that you desire.
Please contact us to discuss your needs and request a quote.
Steinway Restoration
For those looking for the ultimate piano experience, we now sell restored Steinway and Mason & Hamlin pianos. We select vintage pianos and completely rebuild and restore them to their former glory. Each piano is prepped, voiced and tuned to a concert piano standard.
PianoDisc: The World's Leading Piano Player System
Every nuance and intricacy expressed by the original artist—from the loudest fortissimo to the softest pianissimo—is perfectly captured and replicated on your piano. From Jazz to Rock, Country to Mozart, Bach, or Rachmaninoff, PianoDisc’s exclusive library is unrivaled in quality, breadth, and variety. The best way to play music on PianoDisc is with the iQ Player App, which also comes with hundreds of complimentary songs. PianoDisc has been the world leader in modern player piano systems since 1988.
Request a quote from us today.
Historical Temperaments
Historical (or non-equal) temperaments involve tuning the piano such that the pure intervals of the strings are slightly compromised. Non-equal temperaments were used in the baroque, classical, romantic and impressionist periods and add a unique colour and feel to an instrument.
We offer a variety of historical temperaments for the historical music lover or for anyone feeling adventurous.
Price: $175 + HST
Assessments & Appraisals
A piano assessment can be an invaluable decision-making tool.
Our clients have found assessments very helpful in a number of situations:
- Deciding on a used piano purchase
- Determining suitability of instruments for specific environments and performance needs
- Establishing expected repair or restoration costs
- Determining resale potential and market value
- Evaluating investment vs. value for piano restoration or refinishing work
We also provide appraisal services for insurance purposes, for resale transactions, or for special interest groups, such as collectors and antique and estate professionals.
Price: $145 + HST