Prepare

...for your piano tuning!

 

There are a few simple things you can do to prepare for your piano tuning before I arrive.

 

CLEAR INSTRUMENT

First of all, clear the top of the piano of books, nick-nacks, family photos, etc. Whether your piano is an upright, console, spinet, or grand, I will need to open the top, so it will save me a few minutes if the top is already cleared. You do NOT need to pull a piano away from the wall; I will not need access to the back.  The only time I need to pull a piano out from the wall a couple of inches is if the top may hit the wall when opened.  I will do this; you don't need to worry about it.

 

PETS

I do not mind pets at all.  You do not have to put your dogs or cats away unless it stresses you out to have them out.  I make friends with animals very quickly!

 

CLEANING

If you wish, feel free to dust/vacuum the piano before I arrive (optional).  When vacuuming interior areas of grands/uprights (including tuning pins area of a grand), I usually tell people the method I use: use a dry brush (like a big paint brush for instance) and a plain vacuum hose.  Use the brush to bring up dust and debris and follow along with the hose to suck it all up as you go along.  This usually works better than brush attachments on the end of the hose.

 

SPECIAL REQUESTS/REPAIRS

Be prepared to tell me any specifics about notes that may be giving you trouble, action issues, needs for pitch-raising, tone, feel, or anything else you may be concerned about.  All this will help me provide just what you need.

 

UNTUNABLE PIANOS

It is rare, but every now and then I encounter a piano that cannot be tuned for one reason or another.  Or, I cannot tune it because it is a type of piano I do not work on, such as birdcage actions, players, square grands or other archaic designs.  Regardless, my basic minimum service charge applies.  For Albuquerque this is $25, and for areas outside the basic charge area, it may be $35 or $45 as the case may be.  If you anticipate this as a possibility you can ask me specifically about my minimum charge before I come out.  For the vast majority of you, this is a moot point!

 

PAYMENT

Currently I can accept cash, check, PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. For fee in your area, see prices page.

 

Some people think putting a pot of coffee on before a tuning is an essential part of preparation.  I cannot confirm or deny this!  (lol!)