It can be confusing trying to select an ideal piano technician. Piano technicians have different levels of expertise, but, also different AREAS of expertise. This is also true of all trades and professions. It is important to choose the right piano technician for a given “piano and situation.” Most piano technicians mostly or primarily tune pianos and mechanical inclination is not their strongest aptitude.
I often get customers who call me because they want their pianos repaired. The piano is very repairable and they are told by previous piano service people that “It can’t be repaired, I pronounce it dead” ” or “it must be completely rebuilt and this will cost several thousand dollars.” or “throw it out and buy a new piano.” These CAN be the best solutions AT TIMES and well worth consideration. BUT, I give my customers ALL the options (including cost-effectively repairing or restoring the piano) and the drawbacks and benefits of each. I will even just get everything to work and ‘nurse it along” cost-effectively (where feasible) if that is what my customer wants. I am also capable of very high quality work rebuilding and refinishing pianos .
I am not “in the conversation’” when it comes to Premier rebuilders or concert technicians, but, I have developed those skills to a very high degree. I am a 2nd generation piano technician and have been in the trade 36 years. I believe my judgment as to what the most practical and ideal approach to piano servicing in a given situation is very sound.
Member of the Better Business Bureau
Examples My Efficiency and Innovation
Piano Tuning: I make use of an app along with my ear (as most tuners do these days) as a reference. My tuning app is called “Cybertuner” which is the most expensive tuning app with the greatest capabilities. Tuning by ear exclusively takes longer to do and does not generally yield better results.
My Experience: I’ve “paid my dues’ restoring pianos for my father as well as piano dealers for many years. With all my experience, I’ve become faster, more efficient, and better able to do high-quality work than the vast majority of piano tuners.
Finish Restoration: There is a centuries-old technique called French polishing which is extremely labor-intensive and costs usually hundreds of dollars more than methods I use. The vast majority of people who do finish restoration are “french polishers” I use modern tools and techniques that save many hours of work without sacrificing quality. A softer finish called shellac is the main ingredient. Lacquer is much more durable than shellac. I can use lacquer as my top coat and still charge less.
My Mentor was a Famous Piano Technician Most piano schools teach technicians more “WHAT to think” and less “HOW to Think.” Joe Sciortino was
one of the best piano tool creators and innovative piano technicians ever. He taught me HOW to think. I always check to see (if unsure) if the ideal solution already exists so that I am not (as the expression goes):” reinventing the wheel, but, IM a great problem solver. I have created several of my own tools and shared a Booth at the PTG convention selling tools with my mentor Joe Sciortino.
Better Equipped: Having the best tools for the job can save a lot of time working and also improve quality of the work.
Piano Cleaning: I can do a very thorough job for less than 1/2 the price others charge.
Woodworking Repairs and Fabrication: I am one of only a few piano technicians who have very strong woodworking skills. I also am good at working with metals and other materials.
I can do Large Jobs and even restoration work at Your location When Feasible: Other piano technicians charge way more than I do, to begin with. With larger jobs, they far more often require the piano be brought to their shops or leave with the parts. Piano moving is very expensive and who knows what they did as you cannot watch.