Piano Services

Tuning -

With over a decade of tuning experience and a trail of satisfied clients, you may rest assured that we provide quality tuning services.

Using a combination of aural tuning and advanced Verituner software, Garrett Stowe, MPT is able to achieve the best balance between mathematical and aural precision.

Repairs -

Modern pianos have 7,000 to 10,00 precisely positioned parts to ensure optimum playability. When just one of these parts is damaged or broken, the piano can no longer perform as intended. With extensive education in the field of piano repair, Garrett Stowe can repair/replace any broken piano parts and restore your instrument to its correct specifications.

Regulation -

The piano action (interior mechanism) has been aptly described as a marvel of 19th century engineering. When a piano key is depressed, it activates a complex series of levers and springs which ultimately raise the hammer to hit the string.

This complexity allows the musician incredible control over tone and dynamic expression. Over time, the parts inside the action shift and their felt pads compress; this causes the piano to feel "sluggish" and unresponsive. This is annoying to a seasoned pianist and teaches bad habits to students who are still learning correct technique. A regulation adjusts the action back to factory specifications.

Hammer Voicing -

Piano hammers have a hard life. Every day they are forcefully whipped into contact with high tension wires and expected to consistently perform with a balanced tone with minimal maintenance.

Eventually, the felt compresses and the hammers develop grooves corresponding to the strings they strike. This compression can cause a brighter/tinny tone quality which is quite disagreeable. This can be addressed during routine tunings by "voicing" the hammers to create an even, balanced tone across the entire keyboard.

Piano Life Saver System Installation -

This system protects your piano from the undesirable effects of extreme or fluctuating humidity levels. It enables your instrument to maintain proper pitch between tunings and protects the myriad of tiny wooden parts that make up a piano. A stable piano will be more enjoyable to play and rewards your fingers with a consistent, proper touch.

Garrett Stowe, MPT has extensive training in the understanding and servicing of these systems and is certified by Piano Life Saver as a system installer. You can learn more about these systems here.

Rebuilding -

Like all things in life, a piano action will eventually wear out. Constant playing across decades will not only groove hammers and compress the felt, but additionally the wooden parts become brittle and their bushings seize for lack of lubrication.

Sometimes a simple cleaning and regulation is enough to bring a piano back to life. However, there are times when an more thorough action rebuild is necessary. This usually entails:

Reshaping/replacing the hammers
Repairing/replacing hammer shanks and flanges
Repairing/replacing whippens
Replacing all action felt
Re-surfacing keys
Re-bushing keys
Align/replace dampers
And whatever else is necessary to bring the action back to optimum condition

While more expensive than a simple tuning and regulation, the result is a piano action that plays just as well (if not better!) than new!