Services & Pricing

Basic Tuning for New Customers -- $100*

Pianos go out of tune whether they are used daily or yearly, whether they are concert grands or classic spinets.  Seasonal fluctuations in temperature and humidity affect all pianos.  The average piano drops in pitch about 5% annually (100% equals the difference between any two adjacent half-steps).  If the piano has been tuned within the last twelve months, all that is usually needed is a fine tuning.  If the piano has dropped below 10% flat, a pitch correction (sometimes called a rough tuning or pitch raise) is necessary to increase the tension of all 200+ strings on the plate and frame of the piano before a fine tuning can be stabilized at concert pitch.  If the piano has not been tuned in a very long time and has dropped below 50% flat, the quickest way to make it stable again is to raise the pitch twice in one session, leaving it sharp, and allow it to settle for one week before it is fine tuned.

PRICING (Texas State sales tax not included):

1. Fine tuning:  $100
2. Pitch corrections:  $50 each
3. Minor action adjustments: free

OTHER SERVICES OFFERED

ASSESSMENTS and EVALUATIONS:  For a non-tuning service call fee of $100 I can inspect and evaluate any piano.  Written appraisals appropriate for legal purposes:  $150.  Verbal assessments, appropriate when buying or selling a piano: $100.  This includes checking all the major components of the piano, including:

1. Case
2. Keys
3. Action
4. Pinblock
5. Bridges
6. Soundboard
7. Plate
8. Strings
9. Pins
10. Pedal assembly
11. Bench
12. Piano’s tone and quality

FINISH CLEANING:  The natural beauty of many piano finishes can be restored without costly refinishing.  (see  “How I Clean Your Piano”).   Deep cleaning is completed in the shop and includes disassembly and deep cleaning of all finished wood case parts,  touch-up of minor damage, cleaning the interior of the piano, dust and debris removal from the action and keybed, lubrication of the front rail pins and balance rail pins, and reassembly.  More extensive damage will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.  Prices below do not include moving charges to and from shop, if necessary.

$500 (spinets,  consoles and upright up to 45” tall)

$700 (full uprights more than 46” tall)

$900 (baby grand and grand pianos).

BRASS CLEANING:  Most older pianos have beautiful solid brass hinges, knobs, pedals, pedal rods, and accents beneath the brown layer of dirt and grime.  Brass cleaning involves removal of all the brass components, stripping them clean, buffing them to a polished shine, and applying a thin coat of lacquer to prevent oxidation.  Coupled with a complete finish cleaning, this additional service can greatly improve the appearance of many older pianos (See “Pianos I Have Loved” for some good examples of the finished product).  Because of the vast array of configurations some pianos may have more brass hinges and parts than others.  Prices below are estimates based on the most common configurations and may be adjusted if your piano has additional hinges and brass accents:

$100 -- $200 (uprights)

$200 -- $300 (baby grands and grands)

REGULATION PACKAGES:  All piano actions need to be fine-tuned occasionally.  There are about 35 points of adjustment on each key of a grand piano that affect touch, response, repetition, and tone.  Regulation of existing parts can often greatly increase your instrument’s sensitivity and responsiveness without the replacement of costly action parts.  For some instruments, a partial regulation sequence may be all that is required.  This sequence may be completed in the home in 4-8 hours.   Complete regulation must be begun in the shop and completed at the piano.  Not all older instruments make good candidates for regulation.  This can only be assessed after a thorough examination of your piano.

Uprights:

Partial Regulation:  $200 -- $400

Complete  Regulation:  $800 -- $1000*

Grands and Baby Grands:

Partial Regulation: $400 -- $800

Complete Regulation:  $2000

ACTION REBUILDING:  Almost every instrument can be completed refitted with all new action parts, including hammers, wippens, dampers, and all the parts that accompany them.  There is a wide variety of parts available, depending upon your tastes and budget.  Call for current pricing.

KEYTOP RECOVERING: $300   Replace old keytops with German one-piece plastic molded keytops, the same as those found on new pianos.  Includes pickup and delivery.

KEY REBUSHING: $300  Fix wobbling keys by rebushing front and balance rail pin felt with new bushing cloth.

RESTRINGING AND REPINNING:

Bass Restringing:  Includes installation of custom-made or manufacturer original strings, two pitch raises spaces one week apart and fine tuning.  This repair may be completed in the home in most  circumstances: 

Uprights:  $800
Grands:  $1000

Complete Restringing:  Includes replacement of all understring felts, cleaning the plate and soundboard, replacing tuning pins, custom-made or manufacturer original bass strings and all non-wound strings, two subsequent pitch raises at one-week intervals, and fine tuning.  Initial restringing must be completed in the shop.  Prices do not reflect moving costs to and from shop.

Uprights:  $1600
Grands:  $2000

CABINET REPAIR AND RE-VENEERING:  QUOTES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

REFINISHING:  QUOTES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

*ALL PRICES LISTED DO NOT INCLUDE 8.25% TEXAS STATE SALES TAX