19 July 2014 Spinet Piano – Should You Restore?

Spinet Piano – Should You Restore?

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The spinet piano goes back to the Great Depression.

In the 1930s, times were tough. People were still recovering from the economic downturn that rocked society. They remembered the good times from before; yet no longer had the income to live life the way they used to. Although many wanted a piano for entertainment, the traditional uprights and grand pianos were simply out of reach.

And so the spinet piano was born.Spinet Piano – Should You Restore?

Spinet pianos were manufactured between the 1930s and the 1990s. They were smaller in size, cheaper in price, and inferior in sound.

The casing for a spinet piano is smaller than that of a regular piano. Because of the smaller size, the strings are shorter. Shorter strings reduce the quality of the sound, especially in the deeper keys.

And because of the smaller casing, it also impacts the mechanism used to produce sound. The keys are shorter in order to make room for the drop action. A traditional piano makes sound by having a striking key cause a hammer to strike the piano string, resulting in immediate sound. In a spinet, the action is dropped below the keys. When a key is struck, the movement pulls on rods to engage the action, resulting in poor leverage and thus a poorer quality of sound.

While many of the early spinets were of good quality, in many cases quality was compromised as time went on. Because of a huge increase in competition in the 1950s and 1960s, price came down along with workmanship. Cheaper parts were used to keep costs down, meaning quality inside and out was shoddy at best. While spinets did the job for a little while, the musician playing it quickly learned the differences between spinets and traditional upright or grand pianos.

Because of limited space inside the spinet piano, even a simple tuning can be a monumental task. In many cases the entire spinet piano must be disassembled to work on any portion of it. All eighty eight connecting rods must be disconnected and tied up, then all of the keys must be removed before the action can be lifted out and repaired. Even once all parts have been removed, it can still be a difficult process to tune.

For all these reasons and more, restoring a spinet piano is usually performed on a case by case basis. Have more questions about your own restoration project? Have a spinet piano you aren’t quite sure of its value? Give us a call today.

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16 July 2014 Piano Types and Piano Sizes: What You Should Know

Piano Types and Piano Sizes: What You Should Know

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If you are ready to purchase a piano, your first decision will be which type: a grand or an upright piano. Once you make that decision, there are still a variety of choices in each category, size and type, that will impact your overall quality of sound.

Grand Piano

The grand piano is considered the top of the line for many. People prefer it because of its looks. A grand piano looks better in a room and commands more attention. It also improves the pianists view, allowing him to look around at his audience while he plays. Because an upright is usually against the wall, causing the player to have his back to the audience with no particular view in front of him, status and enjoyment are reduced.Piano Types and Piano Sizes: What You Should Know

The standard grand piano is about 5 feet wide, with the length varying from around 4 ½ feet to 9 ½ feet. The soundboard and the strings of a grand piano are positioned horizontally inside the case. The size of the soundboard and the length of the strings influence the tonal sound of the piano. Larger soundboards and larger strings will produce the greatest volume of tone. If you are considering the smallest of grand pianos, you might compare it to a higher end upright for comparison.

Upright Piano

The standard width of an upright piano is about 5 feet, with the depth typically between 2 and 2 ½ feet. The height of an upright is where quality comes into play, and its what impacts the overall sound produced. The height of a piano is measured from the floor to the top of the piano, and four types of vertical pianos can be found: spinet is less than 36 inches tall, console is 40 to 44 inches tall, studio is 45 to 50 inches, and the upright is anything over 50 inches.

Spinet Piano

The smallest of the vertical pianos, the spinet is on the lowest end of size, tone, and price. It was produced when demand for pianos was high, yet poor economic times meant people needed a less expensive option. Because of the size, the standard piano action won’t fit; a drop action is used instead. A two step process is used to create sound, rather than the standard hammer action used in most pianos.

Console Piano

A console is one of the most popular vertical piano choices. The action sits directly on top of the keys; the hammers sit in an upright position. When the hammer strikes the string, the tone is created until the key is released, pulling the hammer back into original position.

Studio Piano

The extra height of a studio piano gives the sound richness and a tonal quality comparable to may grand pianos. Because the casing has more room, the location and the feel of the action is slightly different, allowing better functionality.

Upright Piano

The tallest of the verticals is the upright. These pianos were made in America in the 1920s to the 1940s, and are often referred to as Grandma’s piano. If properly preserved and restored, they can be one of the most pleasing and beautiful instruments ever made.

Which is the right choice for you? Give us a call today. We can answer all of your questions and help you make the right choice for your situation.

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10 July 2014 Do Digital Pianos Need Tuning?

Do Digital Pianos Need Tuning?

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When people say the word piano, they are usually referring to the more traditional acoustic piano. But by no means is that your only option.

A digital piano is an instrument that duplicates the sound and feel of playing an acoustic piano, and takes it to a different level. It uses digitally sampled sounds, amplifiers and speakers instead of strings and hammer in order to produce its sound. The keys are weighted to imitate the action of playing an acoustic piano, thereby making the transition between the two easy.Do Digital Pianos Need Tuning?

Of course digital pianos come in all types of styles, options and price ranges. What makes a digital piano a great choice in today’s world is its ability to create many different sounds, combined with the technology to produce and record music in many different ways. Since all sounds are produced and stored in electronic form, you can listen through headphones instead of speakers, store recordings in many computerized formats, and stay portable to bring it easily into any venue.

It’s a great instrument to bring into tight spaces. From tiny studio apartments, to college dorm rooms, to living with room mates who might not appreciate your jam sessions until the wee hours of the morning, a digital piano allows you play silently without bothering those around you.

It’s also low maintenance.

  • Keep liquids away from the keyboard
  • Keep it away from direct sunlight
  • Dust regularly
  • Clean the keys with a soft cloth and occasional soap and water

And if you are used to the regular tuning and repair process that comes with acoustic pianos, you are in for a surprise. Digital pianos never require tuning. The sounds for a digital piano are recorded and stored digitally within the hardware of the piano, so it will never go out of tune.

Think a digital piano may be the perfect choice for you? The best place to start is by comparing your options and finding one that meets your needs. Come in today and we’ll show you a complete line, and help you select the right digital piano for you.

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7 July 2014 Tips When Considering Restoring An Antique Piano

Tips When Considering Restoring An Antique Piano

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How do I know if a piano is worth restoring?

Every piano is unique, so its not something that a blanket answer will provide. What we usually tell our clients is that if its an antique piano or has sentimental value, it may be worth the investment of restoration. If its been taken care of, housed in a relatively safe place (no water damage), restoration can breathe new life into your piano and extend its playability for years.

What is the best era of pianos for potential restoration?Tips When Considering Restoring An Antique Piano

Pianos were at the top of their game pre-depression. People had money to spend, and pianos were one of the main forms of entertainment. Therefore manufacturers stepped up their game and provided many different types of pianos, all at premium quality and sound. If you have a piano pre-1932, and it carries a brand name like Chickering, its built and designed very well. After this time frame, many manufacturers went out of business or were combined into large conglomerates, and the quality began deteriorating in some cases. It really is a case by case basis.

Why are piano restoration prices so high?

If you’ve done any research at all into restoring your antique piano, you know prices can quickly climb into the thousands of dollars. To do it right, it will take hundreds of hours of time to make sure every detail is at its optimum level. In some cases hours may be spent finding just the right piece, or if its not available, hand making it from scratch. Keep in mind that restoring an antique piano will usually cost less than buying a new piano of comparable value. Add in the sentiment, and its usually worth considering if you have that as an option.

How long does the restoration process take?

The timeframe for restoration is all on a case by case basis. It depends on the current condition of the piano and what details need to go into the restoration process. It also depends on the restoration company you choose. Many have a waiting list for the process, and it will typically take anywhere from 6 months to a year for the restoration itself.

Which parts are restored and which parts are replaced?

Again, this is usually determined by looking at the piano itself. If an item has the potential of being restored, we do all we can to keep it in its original format. Yet some things automatically deteriorate over time: felt, rubber, leather, strings. When we replace, we do our best to keep it as close to original condition as possible.

Do you work on pianos from all over the country?

Yes, even though we are located in Memphis Tennessee, we have had piano restoration projects from all over. Antique pianos are very durable by nature. Many pianos sat in homes that were poorly insulated and often sat next to freezing windows or open wood stoves. When people bought pianos, they didn’t have modern, climate controlled trucks for delivery. Instead, many pianos sat in trains and were moved to horse and buggies for delivery to its final destination. These pianos were durable and very well built. To bring them in here to our location, restore them to their fullest extent, and return them to you wherever you live isn’t a problem.

Filed Under: Piano Renovation, Piano Restoration Tagged With: ,
5 July 2014 Piano Tuning in Memphis Tennessee

Piano Tuning in Memphis Tennessee

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Buying a piano? Once the piano is in your home, ready to make music whenever you sit down at the keyboard, it will need a little maintaining to keep it at top performing levels. A simple dusting with a soft cloth will keep in looking great. And in order to keep it sounding great too, you’ll have to hire a piano tuner on a regular basis.

Regular piano tuning is important to ensure the person playing it hears the Piano Tuning in Memphis Tennesseeproper tune. Nothing can be more frustrating than trying to learn a song and not having it come together because the notes are always out of sync. Part of playing the piano is listening and appreciating the music. If its doesn’t sound right, it becomes harder to play. This is one of the top reasons people quit lessons – if the music doesn’t sound right, the desire to continue playing diminishes rapidly.

To find a great piano tuning company, you can ask for referrals from your local community. Here in Memphis Tennessee, we have a strong music culture. You can find a great referral source just about anywhere, including neighbors, music schools, , local churches, or piano dealers like us that have been in the business for years. We work with the best and are happy to provide you with quality referrals whom we know will get the job done the right way the first time.

Many piano tuners will recommend tuning your piano twice per year. The tuning process is not dependent on how much you play. A piano will need tuning no matter if you play once per month or once per day.

Piano tuning is the process of making small adjustments to the tensions of the strings, to properly align the intervals between their tones. A tuner will start with the middle notes, and adjust both up and down from there to give your full range of notes an accurate tonal sound.

Fine tuning involves an assessment of the vibration interaction between the notes. This process is different for every piano. The sound depends on many things: manufacturer, age, quality, location. Which is why every piano tuner works by tone, and adjusts the strings to provide the richest, highest quality sound possible for your instrument.

Have questions about tuning your piano? Need to find a quality piano tuner to help you keep your piano in top quality? Give us a call today. With over 50 years in the piano business, we value reputation and will find the perfect person to meet all of your needs.

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2 July 2014 Choosing Piano Restoration In Memphis Tennessee

Choosing Piano Restoration In Memphis Tennessee

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“I have a piano handed down from my grandma. I learned how to play on it, and now I’m hoping my kids will learn on it too. We’re moving to a new home here in Memphis Tennessee, and I would like to have the piano restored so it looks and sounds great in the main family room where it will be on display. How do I choose the right piano restoration company?”

We speak with many piano players in situations similar to this. And with good reason. When you have a piano that’s been in the family for years, and you want to breathe new life into it for the next generation, questions will arise.

That’s where reputation comes into play.Choosing Piano Restoration In Memphis Tennessee

Before you think about hiring a piano restoration company, start by talking with someone you can trust. We’ve been in business since 1960, and have worked with piano owners from all over the world. The best place to start is with someone who knows pianos well, and has made it a part of their lives for decades.

The first thing a piano restoration company will do is to determine the value of the piano and the probability of it being restored. If its been in your home and well taken care of over the years, there is usually no problem with the possibility of restoring it. Where pianos begin to fail is with years of neglect, often in storage or a garage where the elements can get to it. Once water seeps into a piano, its usually too late for the restoration process. But if it has been well cared for, restoration will only improve its current condition.

When it comes to piano restoration, there are three approaches to the project, depending on the level of repair your piano needs: repair, reconditioning, or rebuilding. Each has a separate process and a different level of investment; we can help you determine how much work your piano will need to return to its prior beauty. Checkout or piano restoration here.

If you are from Memphis Tennessee, the advantage of working with someone from Memphis Tennessee is you’ll have a resource you can rely on right in your own home town. Of course we’ve helped people with their restoration projects throughout the country, and take pride in every job we do. When you want to bring your piano back to life, the most important part of the project is finding the right person for the job. And with decades of experience, we’re happy to give you our approach to the project, and help you make the decision that is right for you.

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28 June 2014 Railsback Curve and Piano Tuning

Railsback Curve and Piano Tuning

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Have you ever heard someone play the piano when it hasn’t been tuned in a while? Everything is fine until they hit that one note. Ouch. The sound completely throws off your perception of great music because all you can focus in on is the sound of the piano.

That is why its important to have your piano tuned on a regular basis.Railsback Curve and Piano Tuning

Imagine learning to play the piano. You finally get close to playing a song to perfection. Yet you hit that one note over and over again, and the song just doesn’t have what it takes to make you proud to play it. It sounds off. The enjoyment is gone. And the desire to play goes away.

Piano tuning puts the notes back into perspective, and gives your piano a clean, crisp sound that has every note working together in a harmonious way.

For all of you piano techies out there, lets get into the nuts and bolts of piano tuning. There is a difference between having a normal piano tuning by a master tuner, and an equal tempered piano tuning.

The Railsback Curve is a measurement developed by O.L. Railsback, which expresses the difference between normal piano tuning and equal tempered tuning. For any given note on the piano, the deviation between the normal pitch of that note and its equal tempered pitch is given in cents (which is hundredths of a semitone).

The Railsback Curve shows that octaves are normally stretched on a well tuned piano. That means that high notes are higher and the low notes are lower than they are on an equal tempered scale. And not all octaves are equally stretched. So the octaves that occur in the middle range are barely stretched, while the octaves on either end of the piano will have more range.

Railsback discovered that most pianos are tuned the way they are because of inharmonicity in the strings. And this inharmonicity causes the overtones to be higher then they should be.

As a piano technician is tuning an octave, he reduces the speed of the beating between the first overtone of the lower note and a higher note until it disappears. Because of this inharmonicity, the first overtone will be sharper than a harmonic octave, making either the lower note flatter or the higher note sharper, depending on which note is being tuned.

So, to produce an even tuning, the piano technician will start with the middle octave of the piano, and proceed outwards from there. This gives the piano its overall rich sound. The notes on the upper range are not compared to the notes in the lower range because they would begin to sound “off”. Yet when combined as one unit, the overall sound remains at a constant.

The key to a great sounding piano is to have a piano technician that understands tuning and can masterfully adjust the sound by ear. He works to ensure your piano has the sounds and the tone that will make piano playing enjoyable for all.

Call us today to schedule your piano tuning session with our master technicians.

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26 June 2014 How To Take Care Of Your Piano

How To Take Care Of Your Piano

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A piano isn’t just another piece of furniture you can bring into your room and leave for years to come. A piano is a living, breathing instrument that takes care in order to keep it in great quality for playing, listening to, and overall enjoyment.

What special things should you do? It doesn’t take much. But with these simple steps, your piano will give you a lifetime of enjoyment.

Humidity

One of the most crucial steps to take in ensuring a long life is to control the humidity level in the room where your piano resides. Humidity will ensure stability of your piano tuning, and prolong the time in between need for tuning. It can also effect your key quality; too much humidity causes wood to swell, which means keys will stick.

Too low humidity can also have its impact. It can cause keys to stick, and can begin impacting the other vital wood parts of your piano. Low humidity has been known to crack soundboards.

Proper humidity inside the room should be in the range of 40 to 50 percent. In many areas it is impossible to maintain a constant level, but it is important to avoid low humidity in the winter months. Static electricity can put your piano at risk.

Never place your piano in an area where temperature can impact it on a varying and regular basis. Directly beneath, on top of, or beside a heating or air conditioner can severely impact the wood and the overall quality very quickly. And direct window light can quickly dry out wood, causing it to crack.How To Take Care Of Your Piano

Cleaning

Cleaning your piano is an easy process. Use a microfiber cloth lightly dampened by water. Never use furniture polishes on the market today, as many contain silicone and other oil based chemicals that do not belong on wood, will dry it out over time and cloud the finish.

If you have a grand piano, it is wise to keep the lid closed when not in use. This will help keep the soundboard and strings free from dust and pet fur.

Never clean any part of the inside of a piano without instruction. Its best to leave this job to a master technician that understands the inner workings of your piano. You can lightly vacuum the inside with a brush attachment, but never use chemicals, furniture polish or water of any kind.

The keys are probably the easiest place on a piano to accumulate grime. The easiest way to clean them is with a soft, damp cloth with a simple solution of dish soap and water.

Have any questions? Give us a call today.

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21 June 2014 How To Choose and Buy A Studio Piano

How To Choose and Buy A Studio Piano

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When a person comes in to buy a piano for their home, it’s a very personal choice. We can ask them a variety of questions and pinpoint the perfect piano for the situation fairly quickly. The piano will often be on display, so looks may be a part of the deciding factor. And with just a family member or two playing it, personal enjoyment is the top reason for the purchase.

But when a person comes into buy a studio piano, that’s where the questions begin to change.

  • How To Choose and Buy A Studio PianoWho will be using the piano?
  • What skill levels will they have?
  • How often will it be used?
  • For what purpose?

For instance, we’ve helped teachers buy the perfect piano for their studios, one that will take hours of lessons every day, and still look and sound perfect for the piano recitals that will take place several times a year.

We’ve also helped professional studios that work with artists in a recording studio. When a professional musician comes in and needs the perfect sound for their latest album, we know the studio has to deliver time and time again. They can’t risk buying anything but a professional quality piano that will hold up under many, many hours of playing.

Where do you start when its time to invest in a new studio piano?

Start with your clients. Who are they and what will they demand?

The perfect piano will be one that can benefit your clientele and help them create the best music possible for the situation.

Does your studio cater to beginning students or ones with more experience?

Do you record a classical soloist or pop music?

Are you working with traditionalists who want a clean sound? Or people that push the limits, wanting every sound and opportunity available to them?

The more clear you can become on your answers, the easier it will be to make your final decision. The piano market is almost as overwhelming as the guitar market. Used pianos are often just as good or even better than new, especially if you are looking for something very specific. And if you are in the market for a digital piano, with today’s technology, anything is possible.

Answer the above questions; then come in and talk. We can help you select the perfect piano for your studio situation, no matter how specific your needs are.

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18 June 2014 Buying A Piano To Get Kids Ready For School

Buying A Piano To Get Kids Ready For School

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Its summer time. Time for vacations, sleeping in, and lazy days at the pool with nothing much to do.

Yet even in your down time, it may be time to think about your child’s future.

From a very early age, kids are attracted to music. They start dancing to it before they can walk. They hum a tune before they can talk. Even the toys geared towards the youngest of children are focused in around the concept of music. Music is a part of our society, and when you turn the tables and allow a child to make music as well, something magical happens.Buying A Piano To Get Kids Ready For School

Kids are busy these days. No matter how old your child is, chances are you’ve started running them here and there for a host of activities. Swimming lessons. Birthday parties. Soccer practice. When will you fit piano lessons in? And why should you? Is it worth it? What will it do for your kids?

Actually, its one of the best gifts you can give your kids.

Playing the piano stimulates the mind, helps with creativity, gives them self confidence, reduces stress, gives them a lifelong skill, and can improve their performance not just in the elementary years, but all the way through college and beyond. They do not need to become a professional musician to gain all the benefits piano has to offer. They can gain just as much from playing at the skill level that allows personal enjoyment and to play recreationally whenever they have a chance.

Are you convinced? If so, you’ll soon be facing the next hurdle: buying a piano. And for many people this is the most confusing stage of all.

For many people, when they look to playing the piano, dollar signs begin flashing before their eyes. Should you really invest in a new piano when you aren’t even sure how long your child will play?

If your child starts on a soccer team, would you let them play without the proper shoes, or an old ball that was flat? Of course not. They wouldn’t be able to kick properly, and without the proper shoes, would run the risk of injury. And in order to love the game and learn skills to make them a better player, having the proper equipment makes all the difference.

The same applies to learning to play a piano. Yes, you could pound out a tune on a child’s piano you pick up at the discount store for $20, but would they learn quality music with that tinny sound? Would they enjoy it?

The only way to learn a skill and enjoy what you’re doing is to have the proper equipment during the process. And it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. You don’t have to buy a brand new piano your first time out. Instead, come in and see what we have to offer

Pianos come in all shapes and sizes. They come in digital and acoustical formats. You can find new, used and restored.

Whatever your budget, whatever your needs, there is a right choice for you.

And when you ask a professional with decades of experience in the art of piano, you’ll get sound advice and peace of mind that comes from knowing you are buying the best quality instrument at your price range, one that will give your child the best opportunity at learning a lifelong skill.

That’s all that really matters.

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