UPRIGHT/VERTICAL PIANO

Spinet: 36" – 39" (Height) Console: 40" - 43" Studio: 44" – 47" Full Size/Professional: 48" – 60"

GRAND PIANO

Petite Grand: 4'5" – 4'10" (Length) Baby Grand: 4'11" – 5'6" Living Room/Classic/Parlor/Medium Grand: 5'7" – 6'5" Professional/Semi-concert Grand: 6'5 – 7'4" Concert Grand: 7'5" – 9'6"

SQUARE GRAND PIANO

Where do I locate the Serial Number on my piano?
Manufacturers are not consistent with the placement location of serial numbers; but it can be found if not illegally defaced. Other numbers that you may locate may be plate patent numbers/dates, or case numbers, sometimes confused for serial numbers.  For help in locating the serial number of your piano, you may locate the serial number (4-8 digits, including letters) and sometimes the piano model number in this manner.

Vertical Upright Piano Serial Numbers (includes spinets, consoles, studios and uprights) are often found in different locations, depending on the era and name brand of piano:

• Under the lid, look on the cast iron plate near upper center area or on the pin block seen through an opening of the cast iron plate, near the tuning pins; or, inside on the left side of the case; or atop of the pin block area under the lid, usually on the left; or, on the Action (key mechanism); or,
• The serial numbers may be on the backside of the piano near the top area for newer pianos.

• On the cast iron plate near right side;
• Near tuning pins, possibly on the center area of plate;
• Impressed in the soundboard
• In center of soundboard decal;
• Underside of the music desk/rack;
• On left inside case rim; or,
• On underside of key bed. You will need a flashlight to look up and under the piano; maybe, you will find it on the lyre.
• In addition, a technician may most likely find it on other areas of the piano, such as inside leg or pedal lyre or the action. (It is not recommended for novice to remove the Action, legs or pedal lyre to locate the serial number.)

My piano is old. Is it an Antique?
The answer in most cases is, “No.” Often, we are asked if a piano is valuable because it is fifty years or older and may it possibly be an “Antique?” Unlike a Chippendale writing desk or Tiffany lamp, an old piano is usually just that: an old piano. While restoring a fine piece of furniture usually involves a Craftsman or Artisan restoring the finish, this would only be the starting point with a piano. The piano is a complicated mechanical marvel involving thousands of moving parts, all of which are subject to wear and deterioration. Restoring these many parts to their original condition is a major undertaking for a skilled Craftsman or qualified Registered Piano Technician, requiring many, many hours of labor. Then, even this is sometimes not possible due to the lack of available replacement parts. Oh, the beauty of that old wood and the art décor used on that old piano woos the emotions of ones heart, amazingly muddles reality of its interior conditions. Although it is possible to find a piano built over 60-120 years ago that is still in reasonable playing condition, we would recommend enlisting or hiring the opinion of a qualified Registered Piano Technician before investing in a piano of that age. The price of that piano should reflect the fact that it is an old piano. The period from 1900 to 1930 was the heyday of piano manufacturing during which many fine instruments were being built. A piano from this period or era that has been well maintained, or is in restorable condition, might be a good purchase (providing you have hired a qualified piano technician to inspect it for you before you invest your money).

What is My Piano Worth?
A piano's value depends on many variables, but is determined by the condition of the major parts of the instrument as defined by a qualified piano technician; i.e. soundboard, bridges, pin block torque, action, case, etc. Therefore, a piano needs inspected by a qualified Registered Piano Technician, hired to give you a true value for that particular piano. You may need to know the value of your piano for different purposes.

Current Market Value: This is the Retail Price that a piano buyer will pay in today's market (of your locality.) Usually a buyer will pay the dealer more if they are buying from a showroom than they will pay you if they are buying the piano from your home. In some locality, the current market value is higher or lower than in other localities and/or depending on the economy of the area.

Wholesale Value: This is the wholesale price that a piano dealer will pay to purchase your piano for the purpose of reselling it later at a retail price. Usually, the dealer will pay you a lower amount for an immediate cash purchase than they will pay you if you are willing to wait until the piano sells on consignment before receiving payment.

Replacement Value: This is IMPORTANT! The value you want to insure your piano for in case of loss or damage is called “Replacement Insurance.” Replacement value usually refers to the full Retail Price as recommended by the manufacturer, without discounts or trade-in discount, or a “Like-kind Instrument” or the nearest new equivalent) to the piano you have now. If there is a new piano that is similar in size, quality of general construction and description, then this is usually a new piano. If there is not a new equivalent, then usually the “Replacement Value” is based upon what it would cost to find a used piano that is similar and have it remanufactured to like-new condition.

Values After Upgrades: These usually refer to the projected current market value after repairs, refinishing, rebuilding re-manufacturing and other upgrades to your piano are completed. These values in an appraisal are not usually given unless a comprehensive and reliable inspection and estimate report from a qualified Registered Piano Technician is received.

Remember, a piano will have a different market value based on what the market will bear in your part or area of the world. The type of piano, the era or age of the piano, its style, its working and cosmetic conditions as mentioned above, are factors considered to determine its value. Hire our qualified piano technician, Ted Snyder, a Registered Piano Technician (RPT) of many years of experience and with much piano technology knowledge, to inspect and to evaluate the true value for your instrument. Make an appointment for his service at Olde Towne Piano Shop, (301) 695-6150 or via email, estthsnyder@bww.com.

I'm thinking of selling my piano. Should I have it tuned?
Yes, and you should have any sticky notes, squeaky pedals or other noises or problems taken care of. The potential buyers will want to play it, generally. Unless you plan to sell the piano to a dealer or rebuilder for wholesale (about ½ the current retail value or less), the piano needs to sound and look its best. You will be competing directly with music dealers whose pianos are generally well prepped (or should be).

But won't someone buying my piano just have to have it tuned again when they get it home?
The answer to that is: you must make an effort to get the prospect buyer to want to buy your piano, because there are plenty of other pianos for sale that are in-tune. Also, moving the piano does not cause it to go out of tune. If it did, it would mean the piano is unstable and not safe to have around. (Humidity and climatic conditions causes pianos to go out of tune.)

If I buy a used piano from a private individual, what should I keep in mind?
Before you purchase a used piano (grand, vertical spinet, console, studio or upright): 1) Test all the keys, make sure the keyboard, pedals and hammers do not stick or squeak. 2) Listen when you test the entire keyboard. Did each key played sound like one note or two? 3) Open the top of the piano to be sure all the strings and hammers are in place and in working order. Check for moth holes in felts. Is there mildew damage on the wood case and parts? Do you see rust on the strings and tuning pins? 4) Ask for a history of ownership. 5) Give the brand name and serial number to your piano technician to check the age of the piano. 6) If you think you may want to purchase a particular piano, hire a qualified Registered Piano Technician (RPT), member of the Piano Technicians Guild, for consultation and to inspect the piano with you.

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Care of Piano:

Where should I place the piano in my home?
The discretion you use in placing the piano in your home to minimize fluctuation in temperature and humidity will help insure the satisfaction you rightly expect from your piano. In modern-day homes with insulated walls, your piano can be placed on most walls. An exception may be if it is a brick or cement wall below ground grade level. Keeping the sun from shining directly on the piano is of importance, as well as, placing the piano where heat or air conditioning ducts are not in direct airflow from under, or back of, or above, or beside the piano. Preventatives are necessary when the room design does not allow positioning the piano differently; i.e., placing double thickness of aluminum foil under the duct vent cover, or installing “sun-block” window coverings. Do not place your piano directly under a windowsill. Placing the piano near an open fireplace or a wood stove is not a good idea. Extra precaution is necessary if there is no other choice. If you want to place your piano in the basement entertainment or playroom, it is preferable that it is placed in an area above ground level, preferably on the inside wall rather than the outside wall if it is below grade. For the most enjoyment from your piano, place it in a room where the player can impulsively sit down. This is especially important for children or new piano players who need immediate gratification. If possible, place the piano away from the TV or other family interferences. Note: For standard grand piano, the straight side of the piano should be toward the wall, with the curved side toward the room, allowing the open lid to amplify the sound into the room. You will receive the best satisfaction in acoustical sound and aesthetics.

I like to keep my windows open and avoid using the air conditioner. Will this affect my piano?

Yes, this will most likely mean your piano will need tuning more frequently. It is important to remember that, in some climates; the high humidity during the Spring and Summer can affect the piano and will cause it to be “out-of-tune.”

How do I keep the piano finish beautiful?
For Modern-day Lacquered Pianos: Highest quality, hand-rubbed lacquers are used to finish some modern-day pianos. The finish on your piano will last a lifetime with ordinary care. “Ordinary care” means merely dust as you would any fine furniture with treated soft cloth. If a polish is used, choose one that DOES NOT CONTAIN SILICONE, as this material may impair the lacquer finish and will build up unwanted waxy film on your fine piano or furniture. Click Here for piano cleaning and polish products that are available on our Online Storefront or call us with your order.

For High Gloss or Satin Polyester pianos: Special made piano cleaners and polishes are available at our Online Storefront for High Gloss or Satin finishes. DO NOT USE SILICONE-BASED POLISH, wax or bees wax or any type of window cleaner, as doing so, will damage the finish on your piano. Use only a soft treated cloth especially made for dusting or as instructed by the piano cleaning and polishing products.

What do I do to Clean my piano keys?
The keys on your modern piano are covered with durable plastic. Both black and white are easily cleaned by using a damp cloth that has been moistened in water and mild soap, such as Liquid Organic Cleaner (L.O.C.) or liquid dish soap. Merely, wipe the key lengthwise toward the front of the piano, and then dry with a soft clean cloth. Do not use alcohol, detergents or other chemicals such as solvents. Sharp keys in older pianos were of ebony wood or of lacquered wood. All keys are easily cleaned in both modern and older pianos with a damp soft cloth that has been swished in water and a very small amount of mild soap; and then dried with a soft cloth.

In older pianos, natural keys were covered with ivory; usually made of elephant tusk. It is very porous and absorbs pollutants like cigarette smoke and oil from fingers that cause this yellow staining to occur. Please Note: Ivory keys will yellow if the Key Cover is closed. Ivory must have air and light to maintain its natural white color. Damaged ivories from darkness may turn lighter if exposed to air and light; or you will need professional care to whiten or lighten them. If the yellowing is more than surface deep, your piano technician may not guarantee to completely “whiten“ them. For key service, contact Olde Towne Piano Shop via email estthsnyder@bww.com or call 301-695-6150.

How does Humidity or the lack of Humidity affect my piano?
It is important to keep the humidity level around your piano as constant as possible as it will help it stay “in-tune” longer, as well as slow such damage as soundboard cracks, loose tuning pins, and glue joint failures. Controlling the humidity within the home is another helpful step you can take to preserve your instrument, such as room humidifier in the dry season or dehumidifier in the damp, humid season. However, too much moisture added to a room during the cold months can cause condensation to form on cold surfaces, eventually causing mildew, rot, and in extreme cases, damage to the structure. Humid seasonal situations require much more elaborate de-humidification systems. Unfortunately, it is seldom possible to control adequately the relative humidity of a piano by controlling the room environment alone.

For the best maintenance of your piano, have a qualified Field Expert technician install a complete Dampp-Chaser® Piano Life Saver System, which are designed to maintain the RH of the air within the piano at the ideal level of 42% year-around. The components installed are out of sight, inside the case of a vertical piano or under the soundboard of a grand. They are easy to maintain, and must be installed by a professional piano technician/tuner or Dampp-Chaser's Field Expert. Note: “Any System warranties stated or otherwise implied are void if the installation is made by someone other than a qualified DamppChaser Field Expert, or a professional piano technician or tuner.” You may make an appoint for Field Expert, Ted Snyder at Olde Towne Piano Shop to install a Dampp-Chaser® Piano Life Saver System at (301) 695-6150 or email: estthsnyder@bww.com.

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Piano Maintenance:

Since the piano must be maintained at a specific tension to achieve a good musical sound, the matter of maintenance becomes an on-going process. Since a piano consists mainly of wood and iron, all of this is subject to movement. The movement of the wooden soundboard, framework, causes the wires to change tension without prompting by the user. Thus, it becomes necessary to set up a minimal schedule of every six months for tuning the instrument to ensure reliable and pleasant results. Routine service maintenance of tuning and periodic regulation adjustments of the playing mechanism is important!

How often should a piano be tuned?
Typically, a minimum of two times a year. If you play the piano several hours a day, working to a performance standard, it is quite likely that for your own piece of mind, and that of your listeners, you may need to have your instrument tuned more frequently, perhaps as often as once a week or once a month. Experience and your listening ear can be a good guide. Many people mark their calendar to schedule a tuning in the Spring and in the Fall after the seasonal change (or after the heat is turned off in the Spring and after the heat is turned on in the Fall. The National Piano Manufacturers Association of America recommends that a qualified tuner (not a novice) tune your piano four times during the first year of a new piano, and two times a year thereafter. Any piano will be more fully enjoyed if it is kept in proper tune at A440 pitch at all times. The piano must be kept at proper pitch (at A440 pitch not just within tune of itself on a sliding scale) in order to sound the way the manufacturer intended. In addition, a piano that is tuned regularly stays in tune longer. A very important reason: a properly tuned piano is essential for good musicianship. To find a qualified Registered Piano Technician (RPT) in your area, check The Piano Page, a web site for the Piano Technicians Guild. Regularly scheduled piano tuning is important, whether the piano is in use or not!

What if I do not have my piano tuned for a few years?
If it is really just two to three years, there may not be much of a problem IF a qualified Registered Piano Technician (RPT) of several years experience has set the temperament properly, and then fine-tuned the piano. If it has been several years more, you may experience a consequence! (In reality, the cost of servicing the piano will be much higher than normal.) The piano strings may need pre-tension and temperament set to bring it back to pitch of A-440; and then, a “fine” tuning is necessary. That is two processes in tuning the piano. If the piano is very badly out-of-tune and years since the last tuning, it may take more than two times “to get the strings to settle down.” This means additional expense to you! It takes extra work and time, even for the most competent tuner/technician, even with many years of tuning experience. Note: Tuning does not involve changing its tone or raising its pitch; repairing Action mechanism, replacing Strings .Such procedures take more time and cost accordingly.

How soon can a qualified piano technician come to my home?
Most qualified Registered Piano Technicians are well-booked in advance. They usually book appointments approximately two weeks to six months in advance, sometimes sooner. In addition, it is important to plan ahead for Holiday periods, as these are very busy times for qualified tuner/technicians.

Can I tune my piano myself?
Warning! Tuning a piano is a procedure not as easy as it looks, because you are dealing with over 200 piano strings and wires that have a combined total of 20 to 30 tons of tension. If you do not know what you are doing, you can break strings, break the piano's cast iron frame, or hurt yourself or others. A scientific and methodical procedure must be followed in tuning a piano. It takes several years to learn the proper technique that can be quite safe. To learn properly the Art of Piano Tuning and Piano Technology, you must have a willingness to take the time, with an open-mind for learning properly. You must have the patience, conscientiously study any of a number of authoritative books on the subject of tuning and piano technology, take courses/seminars in piano tuning and piano technology, as well as being tutored by a qualified Registered Piano Technician (RPT), who is willing to teach you. Apprenticeship or internship at a Piano Shop and tutored by an RPT is important for best learning. Just remember, tutoring by an RPT at his Shop is not necessarily "Free." Each Shop's fees or policy will be different. See the Piano Technicians Guild website for courses in Piano Tuning and Piano Technology.

What Should I Expect the Piano Tuner/Technician To Do And Why?
Assuming that the piano has been maintained to a quality standard through the years, the piano tuner or technician should be prepared to maintain the piano at “Concert Pitch” of A440. This is what has been accepted as the pitch to which all musical instruments are to be tuned. In this case, the “A” below 'Middle C” should be set to 440 Hz. That is 440 cycles per second. If the tuner/technician cannot produce this result, he should explain to you why. In most cases, a piano that is below 440 Hz can be brought up to that standard. It may be necessary to perform more than one tuning to achieve this result. This can be done by the experienced piano tuner/technician in one service visit.

When the piano pitch is below 440 Hz, this condition may be due to long-term neglect, or a move of the piano to a different environment, different humidity level or fluctuation of humidity. When tuning, the piano tuner/technician first performs the setting of the tuning “temperament.” This 12-note pattern governs the entire tuning of the piano. The “temperament” is based on a mathematical formula that dictates that all the notes in this 12-note pattern be spaced equally apart in distance from each other. This “scale” has been worked out by musicians through the years and became to be known as “Equal Temperament.” This is the formula by which instrumentation in the west has been tuned for the last 150 years. The tuner/technician accomplishes this task of setting the “temperament” by applying a series of tests that are part of his training. Thus, a good aural tuner/technician can set the “temperament” of a piano from one reference point. A good aural tuner/technician needs no additional instrumentation, although some have resorted to Electronic Tuning Devices (ETDs) to ease personal physical stress and injury caused by extensive tuning during the day's work. This is not to infer that ETDs or tuners are inferior, but it is suggested that a tuner has a strong degree of training in aural tuning before attempting to rely on such. All Registered Piano Technicians have earned their qualifications by taking and passing all required written, oral and aural tuning examinations. Some RPTs do use the ETD tool for the ease of physical stress in tuning, but they must use the aural and the visual technique for accurate tuning efficiency.

My piano was just moved, does this make it go out of tune?
Moving your piano does not make it go “out-of-tune,” if moved across the room, across town or across country. Your instrument is crafted for durability and stability. The humidity change causes your piano to go “out-of-tune,” resulting in the need for professional tuning service.

Will my piano need more than tuning periodically?
Yes, Keys and Actions of any piano are manufactured to rigid quality specifications and are regulated and inspected before leaving the factory. The music dealer, before delivery of your new piano, should do additional inspection and regulation to make sure the piano is in top playing condition again. Your piano will then need periodic checking of its Action by a qualified Registered Piano Technician (RPT). Action regulation should be done every 2-5 years for better performance and for better enjoyment, depending on the use of the piano. Again, a reminder---tuning, checking the keys and action, tone regulating or other adjustments are best performed by a professionally qualified Registered Piano Technician (RPT).

Where does a person (man or woman) learn piano tuning and piano technology?
You receive a better chance for being a well-qualified piano tuner and technician if you find a full-service Piano Shop that is willing to train you while working as an Apprentice. This apprenticeship or internship ought to be a minimum of two years and possibly longer, four. In addition, join the organization of the Piano Technicians Guild. Involve yourself in training sessions, seminars, and Regional and National conferences. Apply yourself in all aspects of piano technological training in preparation of the RPT examination. There are some colleges or universities that offer some piano technology studies. (Not all institutions have piano internship training for the length of time needed to acquire complete understanding of piano technology.) Please refer to your state department of education for information on licensing and accreditation of vocational training schools. A limited listing for piano technology training is found on the Piano Technicians Guild web site.

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Technical Maintenance:

What is Action regulation?
Action regulation is the process by which the qualified piano technician maintains the moving parts to work as they are meant to. The inner playing mechanism, called the “Action” of a piano, is an amazingly complex and sensitive machine. Like any other machine, it needs to be kept in adjustment as it was working when built. Each key has over 25 points of adjustment that need to work together in order that the key can produce the sound you hear when you play just one note!

In order to compensate for wear, compacting of cloth and felt, and changes in wooden parts due to humidity, periodic adjustments must be made. Keeping the correct relationship between every part will prevent unnecessary wear, and will make the Action “feel right.” That is, each key will function smoothly and evenly throughout the whole keyboard; thus, the player has control of the key response. There will be no more sticking keys, uneven feel, notes that don't do what you want them to do, pedals that don't work properly, squeaks, clicks, rattles or buzzes. This type of servicing is not included with the expense of tuning.

For further information, click on PTG Technical: Piano Regulation. If you are in our piano service area, call for an appointment at 301-695-6150 or email us at: estthsnyder@bww.com to acquire needed piano service and regulation.

What is “Voicing?”
Voicing is an extremely difficult area; but the final goal of voicing is to have the hammers striking the notes of the piano to offer a uniform sound from the bottom to the top of the keyboard. Evaluating this capability is governed by the design of the piano and the construction of the Action parts. However, the Technician will find extremes in voicing, such as a particularly hard hammer that may result in a note sounding louder than the rest. With the Technician's expertise and skill, the hammer will be voiced with a special set of needles. This needling changes the structure of the felt and softens or hardens the hammer to a degree, depending on how it is needled by an experienced and skillful Registered Piano Technician. Call 301-695-6150 for Ted Snyder, a Register Piano Technician, who has years of experience.

When Does My Piano Need Voicing?
Your piano may benefit from “voicing,” if: Your piano sounds different than when you purchased it; you don't like the sound even after tuned; the tone varies radically from note to note; you cannot achieve a range of tone (mellow to bright) at different volumes; or, the piano has lost its ability to play softly. Voicing does not always mean simply reconditioning of old hammers. Sometimes hammers, or sometimes strings must be replaced, or maybe both. Your technician should be able to advise you.

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Repairs, Reconditioning, Rebuilding, Restoring or Re-manufacturing a Piano:

Do plastic parts break because of age?
Yes, manufacturers after World War II began to build action parts with plastic instead of with wood. However, the plastic of that era, made with resin which the hardener continued to work, caused the plastic to become very brittle, capable of crumbling to small pieces and powder. This was true of the spinet piano built with plastic action parts and “elbows” (or as one customer called them, “knees”) during that era These plastic parts and elbows may need to be replaced due to breakage. Note: it is best to replace the whole set of elbows, because eventually all of them will break. After their replacement, you can once again relax and enjoy playing your piano.

To say that using plastic for piano parts “is bad” is a misunderstanding. Some modern brand name pianos and models are made with many plastic parts. When plastic parts are used in today's pianos, that kind of plastic has been perfected to be strong and stable. Manufacturers' using plastic parts are doing so to eliminate warping, shrinking or swelling of the wood parts that may be used. An additional benefit in the use of plastic parts is the stabilization of action regulation.

Should I have my piano reconditioned, rebuilt, restored or re-manufactured? How do I decide what is appropriate?
Note: Regular tuning service and periodic Action regulation can compensate for minor wear; but age, heavy or extended use, especially when combined with wide seasonal humidity swings, can eventually cause severe deterioration. Many high-quality older pianos exist in various stages of wear. Because it happens so gradually, this wear often goes unnoticed, leaving many pianos operating far below their potential. In extreme cases, some older pianos are simply left unplayed because of their poor condition. And, that is sad! Newer or modern-type pianos, particularly grand pianos can be brought back to their original condition (or better) with the processes called reconditioning, rebuilding, restoring, or re-manufacturing. Each of these processes pertains to the amount of required work involved and expense. For some of the very old pianos, you may wish to receive consultation and advice before investing into it. Hire a qualified Registered Piano Technician at Olde Towne Piano Shop for these services. Click Piano Appraisal and Consulting Service for more information. Grandma's or Uncle Bill's old piano that he gave his bride may be a worthwhile instrument to restore or re-manufacture, made to last for many more generations. The value for rebuilding the instrument may be for personal and sentimental reasons. An honest piano technician will advise you, give you an itemization of cost for work and materials needed to recondition, rebuild, restore or re-manufacture the piano you have inherited or located or you are thinking of giving to your grandchild. Olde Towne Piano Shop and Snyder's Piano Service specializes in piano repairs, rebuilding and restoration, with “Quality You Can Trust.”

Not all pianos are worth the expense of reconditioning or rebuilding, let alone the re-manufacturing of it. Give-away pianos are, in general, not a “bargain”, usually found in horrendous, dolorous condition requiring much repairs, and expensive tuning!

Consider the following factors when in consultation with your qualified piano technician, or with Olde Towne Piano Shop's expertise.

• The overall condition of the piano: Can it really be restored to original condition or is it deteriorated beyond repair? Pianos subjected to severe fire, flood, or moving damage may not be repairable.
• The quality, size, and type of the piano: Low priced, small pianos of poor design have limited potential. If the rebuilt piano would not be capable of meeting your performance needs, it would be better to replace it with one of better design.
• The cost of repairs versus replacement: Major repairs may exceed the value of some low-quality pianos. However, most large high-quality instruments can be rebuilt one-half to two-thirds the cost of a comparable new piano, making rebuilding a cost effective option for fine pianos.
• Sentimental value: Personal attachment or historical value may justify investing major repairs rather than replacement.