Pianos have been around for hundreds of years now. Their basic design has remained unchanged for much of that time as well. So what does that mean for the piano service industry? Is it stagnant? Is there any innovation in the way pianos are maintained and serviced? The answer is a resounding: YES!
The fact that the basic design of the piano has remained unchanged for so long is actually quite advantageous for the servicing industry. It has allowed plenty of time for honing techniques or even creating newer, more advanced techniques and tools for more accurate and efficient servicing of the piano.
Take a look at the medical world. Although the design of the human body has remained unchanged for millennia, it does not mean that we know all there is to know or even discontinue our pursuit of more efficient means of maintaining a healthy body or restoring one that has become broken or damaged.
Consider this: if you walked into a doctor's office to have a procedure done, would you find comfort in the doctor using the same tools and techniques that were used in 1905 because he believed they were more reliable? Most likely not. You might even feel like you were in a horror movie.
The piano industry is no different. We continue to see new tools and techniques developed for greater efficiency and accuracy in tuning, regulating the action's function, and even restoring pianos to sound and/or function better than the original.
Some of my most frequently used modern tools. Top: Carbon fiber tuning lever for the most precise movement of the tuning pin. Center Left: gram gauge for precise measurement of parts movements. Center: Highly advanced tuning software for the most precise tuning possible. Center Right: Digital thermometer/hygrometer for measuring temperature and humidity. Bottom: Torque wrench for measuring tuning pin torque.
Just as with most professions, if you are seeking out a piano technician, search for one who stays in-the-know about the most recent developments in the industry. There literally are constant developments. It could save you time and money as well as leave you with a better sounding and functioning piano. Be cautious of technicians who claim that they stick to old methods because of their reliability. Often that is an excuse to remain oblivious to innovation. A pair of pliers and a shot of alcohol is a tried and true method for extracting a tooth, but if you look around, you just might find someone who can do it differently and with greater finesse.
For modern, in-the-know piano service in the Boise, Idaho region, contact us.