Our Services
Piano Tuning
The perfect blend of Art and Science. Similar to regularly scheduled oil changes in your car, keeping your piano in tune will help prolong the life of the piano as well as continually enhance your enjoyment of the instrument. Aural Tuning as well as the aid of a Visual Tuning Device is offered as options for those customers who prefer either method. Unless otherwise discussed, all pianos are set to today´s Pitch Standard of A=440 hz.
Repairs
Over time, a piano will require more than just tuning. Depending on how often the piano is being used will usually determine how often repairs will be necessary. Most repairs can be done in the home, but sometimes it is necessary to perform repairs in a shop setting, where access to tools and parts is more convenient.
Typically, the first repair to any piano will be to re-shape the hammers. In most cases, this can be done in the home. Over time they will start to flatten out and start to produce a more “brassy” or “brittle” tone. They will also become harder as a result of the felt compressing. Re-shaping and voicing the hammers will usually produce the most dramatic affect a customer will hear with their instrument.
Similar to rotating the tires and keeping them in balance, keeping the action in regulation will produce not only the best “touch” for your instrument, but will also give the pianist the best opportunity to produce the best “tone” for the instrument. A piano action that is out of regulation is typically hard to play for any length of time, destroying any chance of the pianist reaching their full potential. My feeling on this subject is “If it´s not fun to play, then you won’t.”
Restoration
Over the course of time, it will be necessary to restore all or part of the piano, depending on factors that are discussed with each client. Re-stringing the piano, replacing the pinblock, shimming or replacing the soundboard, re-finishing the case, new keytops, etc. These are all a part of the restoration process. I will always discuss with the client 3 options for restoration: what you must do; what you should do; and what you could do. This gives you the best understanding of what is needed with the piano. The client makes the final decision based on the facts presented. There are no surprises with this method, and it has served me well for years.
Appraisals
If you are selling, buying, donating, or need a quote for insurance purposes, my appraisal will tell you how much the instrument is worth, and how much it would cost to be replaced. I quote ‘fair market’ value and MSRP, or replacement value. I have worked with many Insurance companies over the years, and they know Bondi´s Piano Service will provide a solid “bottom line” price to repair the instrument.