Monday, April 22, 2024

Why It’s Important to Tune Your Piano | Grand Piano Regulation

There are around 230 strings on the average piano. Each string on the piano has a unique pitch and frequency that must be tuned to the other strings. The sound quality of your piano is determined by these strings, so they must be maintained properly. Due to stress, these strings can stretch over time, causing the piano to become out of tune. Seasonal Changes in humidity also cause the piano to become out of tune.

When pianos are tuned regularly, they are easier to tune, stay in good condition, and maintain their value. Piano tuning regularly also avoids damage caused by overstretched strings. It will be more expensive and time-consuming to get a piano back into tune if it hasn't been tuned in a long time.


If a piano hasn't been tuned in a long time, a piano tuner may attempt to correct the problem by raising the piano's pitch. This involves pulling all of the strings, resulting in a sharp pitch. When the strings naturally stretch over time, causing the pitch to go flat, this overcompensation should keep the piano in tune.

You should have your piano checked every six months to a year to ensure that the strings last as long as possible. If the strings are damaged too much or the keys are not properly working, you should take a piano repair service. 

Get More Info : Piano Humidity Control

Website : https://www.nypianoworks.com/

Contact Us : Piano Tuner Upstate New York

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Rebuilding vs. Restoration | Piano Regulation And Voicing

Every week, I speak with at least a couple of people who are interested in not giving up on their older piano, but rather bringing it back to a playable condition. There are two ways to do this: Rebuilding and Restoration. Both attempt to restore the piano to its former glory, but the philosophy behind them differs.

Rebuilding can involve anything from an action overhaul to replacement of soundboard, strings, and pin block. Where possible, new parts are used. I say where possible because while the industry became standardized around the 1920s, pianos prior to that often have parts for which it is impossible to find replacements.

For example, we are doing a rebuild right now for a client in Albany, a piano from 1909. The hammer butts and hammer assemblies are able to be replaced, but the whippens (the mechanism which transfers the energy from the key to the hammer assembly) are non-standard and must be reconditioned by cleaning and by replacing leather and felt where possible. 


Get More Info :  Piano Regulation And Voicing

Website : https://www.nypianoworks.com/

Contact Us : Piano Tuner Upstate New York




Monday, April 8, 2024

Wessell, Nickel, and Gross Actions | Piano Master Technician

Scott is a trained Action Rebuilder specializing in the composite actions from Wessell, Nickel, and Gross. These are the same actions that are in every new Mason and Hamlin piano. Call to learn about the benefits of rebuilding your action with these state-of-the-art parts! 

The name “Wessell, Nickel & Gross” then lay dormant from 1953 to 2005, when two brothers—Kirk and Gary Burgett—acquired it. Just as Otto, Adam, and Rudolph had new thoughts and ideas to improve the piano action in their time, so too did Kirk and Gary.

Perhaps the most radical of these ideas came from the fundamental question, “100 years ago piano actions were made of wood, since that was one of the best materials available at the time. Could we use the latest advances in materials science to design and create a better piano action?”

This question spurred research into modern materials such as composites and epoxy carbon fiber. The benefits of these modern materials became almost immediately clear—composites had the potential to be much stronger than wood, they could be easily customized and formed to much tighter tolerances, and they were extremely durable so their finished shape wouldn’t change over time. Before long, the advantages becameso numerous that it was obvious that composite materials had the potential to change piano actions forever.

Get More Info : Wessell Nickel and Gross

Website : https://www.nypianoworks.com/

Contact Us : Piano Tuner Upstate New York

Monday, April 1, 2024

PianoDisc Player System Installation and Repair | PianoDisc Repair

In the realm of musical innovation, where tradition meets technology, the PianoDisc player system emerges as a transformative addition to the world of pianos. Offering the enchantment of live performances at the touch of a button, this sophisticated system breathes new life into classical instruments. However, like any mechanical marvel, maintenance and repair are essential to ensure its continued harmony. In this blog post, we delve into the intricacies of PianoDisc player system installation and repair, exploring how it elevates the piano-playing experience.


1. The Symphony of PianoDisc: A Harmonious Fusion

a. Bridging Tradition and Technology:

Introduce readers to the PianoDisc player system, highlighting its role in seamlessly blending the timeless elegance of acoustic pianos with modern digital capabilities.

b. Musical Versatility:

Explore the versatility of the PianoDisc system, from classical compositions to contemporary tunes. Emphasize its ability to cater to diverse musical preferences with its vast library of performances.

2. PianoDisc Installation: Crafting Musical Magic

a. Precision Engineering:

Discuss the meticulous process of installing a PianoDisc player system. Cover the integration of sensors, solenoids, and control units, ensuring flawless synchronization between the piano and the digital components.

b. Customization Options:

Highlight the customizable features available during installation, such as playback modes, volume control, and compatibility with external devices. Illustrate how these options cater to the preferences of both pianists and listeners.

Get More Info : PianoDisc Repair

Website : https://www.nypianoworks.com/

Contact Us : Piano Tuner Berkshires

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Humidity Control for your Piano | Piano Finish Repair

Many people are not aware that humidity can have a profound effect on the tuning and performance of your piano. Humidity is a measure of how much water vapor is in the air, relative to the maximum amount of water vapor it can hold (that’s why it’s called relative humidity!).  Your piano is subject to wide swings in humidity. This is parrly true in, while in the winter, your heating system can drop the relative humidity in your home into the single digits.



What does this mean for your piano? When the humidity is high, the soundboard and bridges absorb moisture and swell, increasing the tension of the strings and forcing the piano sharp. When the humidity is low, the opposite happens - the soundboard and bridges release moisture and shrink, reducing the downward pressure of the strings and forcing the piano flat. This is why almost all piano manufacturers - and your piano technician - recommend that your piano is tuned twice a year. In addition to forcing your piano out of tune, increased humidity affects the action parts, swelling the wood and increasing friction, which can make your action respond sluggishly (a major cause of “sticking” keys).

How can you mitigate the effects of humidity on your piano? There are several options. The absolute best solution is to have your whole house humidity controlled. This involves either attaching a humidifier to your HVAC system or installing a separate humidifier/dehumidifier system in your home. While this is the best solution, it can be very expensive to install and maintain, and is usually cost prohibitive.

The next, and we think best, solution is to install a humidity control system directly in your piano. The Dampp Chaser company, makers of the Piano Life Saver system, is the only company making these systems. Over the past 74 years they have perfected their system and adapted it to work in all pianos. This system maintains the relative humidity of your piano within a few percent of the ideal level of 45% Relative Humidity. A humidistat regulates the humidity, similar to the way your thermostat regulates temperature. If the humidity is high, the humidistat activates low power dehumidifier bars to dry out the piano. If the humidity is low, the humidistat activates a humidifier - a gentle version of that which you might put in a room. Periodically, you must fill the humidifier tank with water. This can be disconcerting the first few times, pouring water into a tube that disappears into your piano!


Get More Info : Piano Rebuilding Upstate New York

Website : https://www.newyorkpi anoworks.com/

Contact Us : Grand Piano Repair

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Why It’s Important to Tune Your Piano

 There are around 230 strings on the average piano. Each string on the piano has a unique pitch and frequency that must be tuned to the other strings. The sound quality of your piano is determined by these strings, so they must be maintained properly. Due to stress, these strings can stretch over time, causing the piano to become out of tune. Seasonal Changes in humidity also cause the piano to become out of tune.

When pianos are tuned regularly, they are easier to tune, stay in good condition, and maintain their value. Piano tuning regularly also avoids damage caused by overstretched strings. It will be more expensive and time-consuming to get a piano back into tune if it hasn’t been tuned in a long time.

If a piano hasn’t been tuned in a long time, a piano tuner may attempt to correct the problem by raising the piano’s pitch. This involves pulling all of the strings, resulting in a sharp pitch. When the strings naturally stretch over time, causing the pitch to go flat, this overcompensation should keep the piano in tune.

You should have your piano checked every six months to a year to ensure that the strings last as long as possible. If the strings are damaged too much or the keys are not properly working, you should take a piano repair service.

If you buy a new piano, you should tune it four times in the first year since the new strings stretch more and go out of tune more quickly. If you tune your piano regularly throughout the first few years of ownership, it will be more likely to stay in tune for longer periods of time and during the later years of its life.

Regular piano tuning can increase confidence in people beginning to play the piano, as it’s exciting to play piano that’s in tune and sounds nice. Standard tuning is for those pianos that have been tuned in the past 6 months to a year. It involves manipulating the tuning pins to bring all the strings to their proper and harmonious pitch. We use a combination of aural and electronic tuning to ensure your piano sounds great!

If you want to tune your piano, book your appointment today!

Visit Us : Piano Tuning And Repair Service Upstate New York.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Free Pianos Aren’t Free — Al Tervenski

 Many of us have been in this situation before. A friend, family member, or acquaintance has a free piano. Free piano! All you have to do is move it, they say. Or maybe you’ve recently moved into a new home that “includes” a piano. If these situations seem too good to be true, it’s because they often are. Pianos are like anything else in the marketplace. Some are worth thousands upon thousands of dollars, and some are absf you moved into a house with a piano sitting sadly in the living room, the previous owners figured it wasn’t worth the $400 to move it. Why should you be stuck with it? Free pianos are often not worth taking. After moving it for $300-$400, and then pitch-raising and tuning it ($300), you’re in for $700 already! Now factor in regulation and repairs, and you’re well over $1000 invested into a piano that won’t last and won’t sound good. A piano your son or daughter won’t want to play, and

one that will just sit and collect dust.

This is not to say that sometimes a free piano isn’t a good deal. Lucky bargains do happen upon us occasionally. But how will you know if you have a lemon or a steal? Bring a piano technician with you to help assess the piano (we’re happy to help). More likely than not, you’d be better off paying for one. For as little as $500-$1000, you can obtain a solid beginner piano that will provide you with years of enjoyment. We have pianos in stock at New York Piano Works that fit this description. They are affordable, play well, and are worth the modest investment. Or, you can take a chance on a “free” craigslist or Facebook Marketplace piano. Just remember, free pianos aren’t free.

Read More : Piano Tuning And Repair Service Upstate New York.

Visit Us : Piano Rebuilding Upstate New York.

Why It’s Important to Tune Your Piano | Grand Piano Regulation

There are around 230 strings on the average piano. Each string on the piano has a unique pitch and frequency that must be tuned to the other...