Tuning and servicing Dampness - dryness - drafts How do I secure the right level of humidity? Avoid...
Piano Prestige
Tuning and servicing
We recommend tuning your piano at least once a year.
Why?
Because of its high string tension, a piano deteriorates more quickly when it is not maintained at concert pitch. The tuner will also notice possible repairs or if attention is needed on your instrument
Dampness - dryness - drafts
These are the biggest enemies of your instrument. About 80% of your piano - more than 90% for harpsichords - is made of living wood, which can expand or shrink under changing humidity levels. Therefore to guarantee health and stability for your instrument, you will need to secure the ideal level of humidity, which is between 40% and 60%.
How do I secure the right level of humidity?
We recommend buying a hygrometer. This will indicate the percentage of humidity in your piano room.
Too damp (65%-100%): install a dehumidifier, a heat pump or a piano damp-chaser system.
Too dry (40%-0%): set your heating system differently (DVS, heat pump, central heating, floor heating, etc).
Avoid...
Leaving your piano damp-chaser heating bar permanently plugged-in. Too much dryness will split the sound board, loosen action parts and cause irreversible damage to your instrument. Setting your instrument too close to a fireplace. This will dry out your piano. Setting your instrument against an outside wall. This will create humidity problems. Setting your instrument in a cellar or a garage. This will create humidity and mould problems.
Call us on 04 236 6338
"We have had some lovely sounds from this piano since Serge took over the tuning."
- Ralph Pyatt -
"I'm very happy with how the piano is sounding."
- Emma Sayers, Classical performance, NZ School of Music -
"Thank you... The Schimmel sounded fantastic in concert."
- Ivan Patterson, Head of Music Department, Wairarapa College, Masterton -
"The quality of Serge's tunings and other work is very high, and he always executes the work very professionally, promptly and in a well organized way."
- Richard Mapp, Senior Lecturer and Head of Piano Studies, NZ School of Music -
"Please pass on my thanks to Serge for his careful work on my piano, and the chocolate he left on the keyboard cover... tres Suisse!"
- Catherine Martin - Piano teacher -
"Our piano sounds just great now!!! "
- Andrea Buxton -
"Needless to say, we are grateful to have known Serge for his valuable input thus making our decision making more informed. Best of all, we have saved thousands of dollars for his input. Very impressed! "
- Theresa Fernandez -
"Thanks Serge, I just tried the Steinway, and it is so much better!"
- Richard Mapp, Senior Lecturer and Head of Piano Studies, NZ School of Music -
"Un grand merci pour votre excellent travail aujourd'hui."
- Florence Cunningham -
"Thanks for doing such a great job on the piano!"
- Richie Singleton -
"The piano sounds absolutely fabulous and I'm really enjoying playing it!"
- Marilyn Petrie - Piano teacher -
"We have been most impressed with your work on the Grotrian in Waikanae."
- Basil Pritchett -
"The only drawback with the piano sounding so great is that I'm getting sleep deprived. I just can't stop playing it and could carry on into the wee small hours."
- Marilyn Petrie - Piano teacher -
"Just wanted to say the piano is SWEET! First time the piano has been tuned properly in NZ. Thank you so much!"
- Joan Whincup -
"We welcome your comments"
- website -
"Just a note to record how delighted I am by the way in which you restored my piano and tuned it. It is a delight to once again listen to it in tune and to know that it has been brought back to the performance it must of had when it was new. I feel the money spent to get the job done was very well spent and I thank you for your professionalism. "
- A happy customer -
"Thank you very much, Serge. Sounds fantastic now. Makes me want to play it more!"
- Peter Rickard -
"My students and I found your explanation and demonstration of how the piano works very enlightening."
- Rosemary Bromley, Piano teacher -
"I have played concert instruments in venues in the city that Serge has tuned, as well as on pianos that he has rebuilt, and again I am happy to endorse the quality of his work."
- Richard Mapp, Senior Lecturer and Head of Piano Studies, NZ School of Music -