Regulation and repair

One of the important things to know about piano tuning is - it isn't all about tuning.

In fact your piano is a complex piece of technology, with several major moving parts (the key itself, the lever, the jack, the damper and the hammer) for each of the notes (normally 88*) on an upright piano, as well as many smaller components including action centres, tapes, capstans, springs and buttons. The grand piano action is even more complex!

Repairs can include work on the piano action itself, replacing strings (occasionally these may break), the pedal mechanism and the keys, which can sometimes stick.

Regulation is about adjusting the way your action works to make sure that it is operating to its optimum efficiency. If you purchased your piano new or from a reputable dealer, the piano should have been correctly set up when you acquired it, but over years of use, felts and leathers in the action can compress and centres can become loose or worn, resulting in less efficient transfer of the energy from your finger into the hammer blow, poor damping and uneven touch, as well as lost motion (the hammer doesn't move immediately when you press the key).

Adjusting the action correctly can help to compensate for this process over time, although if there is heavy wear and tear replacement of materials (such as new damper felts) or rebuilding of the action may be needed to get it working really well.

I'm able to carry out most types of repair and regulation (short of full rebuilds) as long as the work can be done in situ. Sometimes I may take smaller parts of the piano, such as individual keys or action parts, away for repair if needed.

Please feel free to contact me for information about the likely cost of work on 07597 912403 or andy.chase.ycp@gmail.com

* Please note many older pianos have 85 notes and there are also some small/ portable models with a reduced number of octaves.