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ACTION PIANO SERVICE.COM With rebuilding shops in Lawrence, and also at Park Trades Center (suite 404) in Kalamazo, MI COMPLETE PIANO CARE INCLUDING TUNING, REPAIR, REBUILDING OF GRAND PIANOS, UPRIGHTS, PLAYER PIANOS, AND PUMP-REED ORGANS 1-800-404-5836
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(NOTE: If you are coming here from the Sytek and Davies main musical website, or if you are interested in our musical adventure, click HERE for Sytek and Davies page and Information on the New CD!)
UPDATE MAY, 2008 We were very honored last month with an article in Encore Magazine, featuring photos of some of our recent work, as well as an in-depth story about our approach to pianos, life, and music. Click http://www.encorekalamazoo.com/encore/issue_pdfs/Encore_Apr08.pdf (starts on page 42) to read the article (with our thanks to author Bob Weir and Penny and Rick Brisco)
(MORE PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE!!)
Welcome to the ever developing (and still humble) homepage of Action Piano Service. We are located in Southwest Michigan. Our two main shops, which handle most aspects of piano restoration, are located in a hilly rural setting just outside Lawrence MI and in downtown Kalamazoo MI at the Park Trades Center. In these spaces we do meticulous work that ranges from player piano restoration, grand piano restoration, grand and upright action regulation, and work on older reed instruments like pump-reed organs and melodeons.
In addition, we offer a full range of in-home tuning, repairs, humidity control, cleaning, and fine tone building and regulation. Recently we have been getting a significant number of calls to assist in fine regulation of newer instruments (mostly grands)...pianos that were less expensive pianos that didn't received the correct pre-sale setup at the factory. We also are doing an increasing number of what we call "action re-setting" on older grands...action re-setting is basically a very in-depth regulation that consists of entirely re-setting the geometry of the grand action to restore the older, and usually very "challenged" grand action, to correct specifications. And, of course we also do regulation work on upright piano actions.
This site is evolving, so please feel free to call Jane or me with any questions at the number below.
PLEASE EMAIL ME OR CALL US AT 269-674-7200 WITH ANY QUESTIONS, OR TO SCHEDULE A TUNING OR PIANO EVALUATION. RD
A Few Frequently Asked Questions Below:
NEW FEATURE-CUSTOMER COMMENTS/TESTIMONIALS
2. What if I have an old (or new!) piano in need of repair or restoration
4. What is "rebuilding" and what does it mean?
6. Some thoughts on Humidity Control and Link to Dampp Chaser Corp
7. Are you Considering Rebuilding a Piano?
Action Piano Service is a full service piano repair and restoration business, offering services to clients with uprights, grands, and player pianos. We've been active in Southwest Michigan since 1989; before that we were in Traverse City under the name of Grand Traverse Piano Service. In addition to tuning and repair in homes, we are currently restoring a number of projects for clients and friends here at our shops in Southwest Michigan. Jane and I split the work and are able to schedule restorations during our home weeks/months between tours or recording projects (yes, life is good!)
What to do if you have an old piano in need of repair or repair or restoration? Well, first of all, have a qualified repair technician examine the instrument. You can have me look at the piano, or if distance is a factor (you might be surprised how far we range from Michigan in our travels) you can e-mail me or send us the information and we can take it from there. If we are not able to be of assistance I may be able to suggest a local technician who works on your type of piano...but whatever you do, don't trash-sell-destroy the instrument before you call somebody...it may be irreplaceable. I can be reached at 269-674-7200. If I am traveling I check my phone mail regularly.
How much does tuning cost? Generally, we charge a minimum service call fee which is used to pay some of our travel to your site, and to evaluate your piano (the fee is refunded back into any work we do for you). But, as a basis for comparison, tuning a piano generally runs around $94.00... Additional repair work is done according to whatever is required and approved once we see your piano. We do work ranging from just tuning the piano to entire restoration. Once we see your instrument, we'll establish a written appraisal, and estimate for necessary work. After you've had time to review and approve our estimate, we will arrange to tune your piano or repair the piano at your home; or if more extensive repair or rebuilding is required, we'll arrange to pick up the instrument with our piano trailer, and move it (yes it's insured) to our shop.
What is "rebuilding" and what does it mean? Our rebuilding work includes among other things, the following; Piano case cleaned, stripped and repaired, then beautifully refinished. (On grand pianos the plate is also removed and refinished) All pianos include new tuning pins and restringing, re-felting dampers, high quality new hammers, rebuilding of the entire action to the highest industry standards, new keytops (or original if requested) and keys rebushed, keybed re-felted, soundboard repair, bridge repair, action carefully regulated to optimum performance, hardware polished and cleaned, any necessary repair to wheels and casters, and about 12 tunings in shop for stability before returning to client. Player pianos would also include rebuilding the valve assembly and all cloth and tubes/hoses. More details available on request. Turn around time varies depending on the instrument, backlog, and customer needs. Pricing varies somewhat as well...generally the best quality shops charge a little more for rebuilding services...accordingly, we may not be the cheapest rebuilding service. As a general guideline, a few examples of some of our recent pricing follow: Recent estimates for Grand pianos have ranged from 11.5K to 15.5K, plus delivery. In the case of many pianos, it would be well worth it since some older instruments are of very high quality and will end up being worth close to double that amount! We also drafted an estimate for restoring an older upright ranging from 11.5K, plus delivery....player pianos can range upwards to $13-15.5K for restoration (pre-standard or unusual instruments can be more) including player piano motor, bellows etc.* Specific quotes for your particular piano are given at the time of the service call/evaluation. And of course many repairs are possible for far less money than complete rebuilding...
* (Bench fees for restoring player piano mechanisms without rebuilding the piano itself start at $3950. Usually, if the piano is not being totally restored, several hundred additional dollars are necessary to get the older antique piano minimally ready for the rebuilt player motor as well...when possible, we very much prefer to have your piano in our shop for fitting the rebuilt player motor. )
Finally, when evaluating your piano for restoration, it is always important to consider purchasing a new instrument instead. Many times a new piano can be procured for far less than the cost of restoration. However, if what you have is a fine quality piece, or an heirloom, then rebuilding could be a good and cost effective option. It is always a very good idea to check out the shop you plan to work with, and along those lines we welcome potential clients to visit us on an appointment basis.
We'll be updating this site often, so please keep in touch and check back often!
Good luck, and call me anytime. RD
Following are a couple examples of some interesting pieces we restored recently. More photos soon....just click on the thumbnail to enlarge.
Here is a beautiful old player piano we are rebuilding in varying stages of completion:
AND, here are four pics of a beautiful and VERY rare Steinway upright from 1869 that we have in our shop and will be rebuilding and selling.
Price is $15,000 totally rebuilt. If you are interested email or call us (page bottom) and we can discuss this unusual instrument. More details on this piano will be posted here soon...
Click HERE for information on Dampp Chaser moisture control systems
TECH TIP: Place a humidity gauge on or near your piano. The Relative Humidity in the room near the piano should always be around 45%. (which it almost never is in Michigan) If it is much higher or lower you need a Damp Chaser Humidity Control Device. All pianos suffer terribly from unstable humidity conditions. A small investment in the humidity control now will save hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs or restoration in the coming years. RD
TECH TIP: Your piano should be tuned at least twice yearly if you live in a climate where the relative humidity and temperatures vary significantly. While you may not notice the instrument going radically out of tune, the piano can fall from concert pitch as a whole, and actually decrease the load on the plate (harp) by thousands of pounds of string tension! This has the effect of causing soundboard problems over a period of time, necessitating expensive repairs. So, keep the piano in tune at concert pitch! RD
TECH TIP: Looking for a used piano? Two things to keep in mind. First, it is absolutely true that you tend to get what you pay for. Don't be too quick to shop using price as a guide. Thoroughly check out the instruments you like, regardless of price, and get a feel for the type of piano you enjoy. Check out key touch, repetition, key dip, any fatigue or lack thereof from playing that particular piano...THEN begin to look at price. A quality upright piano, new, might range into the $7500.00 (or more) for the finest consoles. The second thing to remember is to go to the stores armed with information. The major bookstores have "how to buy" books and Larry Fine (not the Stooge) has authored a great volume on Buying a Used Piano. It is a must for anybody interested in purchasing a new or used piano. And remember, once you have decided on the instrument of your dreams, have a technician look it over before you buy. RD
TECH TIP : Are you considering rebuilding your old antique grand, upright, or player piano? Wondering if it is worth the effort and expense? Here are a few things to consider: The first thing you will probably encounter is the age old question of the cost/benefit analysis; "Is this old thing worth spending several thousand dollars to restore when we can purchase a new piano for almost the same price"...or some version of that question... and it really IS a valid question.
When your technician is evaluating your specific piano, he/she will consider the original quality of the piece, as well as the likelihood of making a beautiful restoration, the time involved, and the value the piano has both commercially as a sale piece (often very little by the time the piano needs restoration); It is also important to consider the personal/heirloom value to the client (often quite substantial if Grandma used to own the piano!).
Once the technician is convinced the piano is worth the effort, you will be informed as to the estimated costs of total restoration for the piano. Bear in mind that the word "restoration" or "rebuilding" means different things to different people; it's important to get a written description of the actual repairs you are contracting for. A little bit of care in communication up front will save you months of agony over details later.
When we restore an instrument we always totally rebuild it, including restringing, new hammers, springs, felts, action rebuilding, soundboard and bridge repinning and repairs, refinishing, plate re-guilding (on grands) keytops and keyfelts...well, you get the picture. Always ask to see the work of any technician you are thinking about working with; it's important to realize that piano technology is not a regulated or licensed profession...and as such you need to rely upon the artistry of your technician to produce a beautiful restoration.
If you get a fine rebuilder to work on your piano, there is every probability that the finished product will be a better piano than the "cheapie" you could buy from a store at the same price. The rebuilder has some advantages...he/she is aware of the quality of the original piece, and knows how it has reacted to decades of natural aging...many pianos were built by companies who failed to stay afloat during the great depression, but those pianos are sometimes great instruments...so, don't rule out the restoration of a piano with little name recognition until you have it evaluated.
In addition, your piano is an irreplaceable antique, a part of history, and your own statement artistically. It is usually the people who consider those values important who end up restoring their heirloom pianos.
