F A Q

These pages deal with issues not addressed in our other guides, and questions we are often asked. We have placed queries in 6 main sections :

1. About Pianos in general
2. Technical questions about Pianos
3. General advice
4. Our Terms & Guarantees
5. About Tuning & Maintenance
6. About Restoration

About Pianos in general

(Q) How many octaves (notes) does a piano have ?

(A) Usually 7 octaves (85 notes) or 7 1/4 octaves (88 Notes). Some smaller pianos have only 6 octaves (73 notes)

(Q) What are the differences between an Upright and a Grand piano ?

(A) An upright piano has a vertical cabinet and the strings are strung vertically inside, whereas a grand has strings strung on a horizontally positioned frame, and has a more open case.

(Q) What is meant by an 'Upright-grand' ?

(A) This is an term which is not heard very often today, but refers to an antique or traditional piano with an unusually high structure. It is of course not a 'grand' piano at all, but a higher than average upright piano.

(Q) What is meant by a 'Spinet' piano ?

(A) Most small pianos built in the U.S.A. have a 'bureau' or 'writing-desk' style often with cabriole legs at the front, and are referred to 'spinets'. A true Spinet is, of course, a (plucked) early keyboard instrument.

(Q) What is a Yacht piano ?

(A) A small 5-octave upright piano built with a folding keyboard, that can used in boats or small vessels. Now very rare. Most were built before the 1930s.

(Q) What is a 'Pianola' or 'Player Piano' ?

(A) This is a standard upright or grand piano with a built- in self-playing mechanism, powered by bellows, from two foot pedals. Music is created by air-pressure controlled by special rolls with perforations, which allow specified notes to be played automatically.

Technical Questions about Pianos

(Q) What is meant by 'Overstrung' (or Straight-strung) ?

(A) Click on TYPES OF UPRIGHT PIANO

(Q) What is an 'Underdamper' Action ?

(A) Click on TYPES OF UPRIGHT PIANO

(Q) What is 'Concert Pitch' ?

(A) This is the frequency to which all musical instruments are set or tuned. It is known as A=440 cycles p.s.

(Q) How does an 'Iron frame' differ from a 'Wooden' frame ?

(A) The frame is the structure to which the strings are attached inside. Before the 1880s many uprights were made with heavy wooden bracings at the rear to take the tension. The cast-iron frame was later designed to give the instrument added stability, higher strain, and, consequently, a superior tone. Almost all pianos made after c.1890 were built with iron frames.

(Q) What causes keys (notes) to stick or malfunction ?

(A) Various causes : Dampness; Lack of use for a sustained period; Dirt or minor objects; Wear & tear; Corrosion & rust of metal parts; Over-use or Abuse; Heavy or sustained use without maintenance; Housed in room where temperature unsuitable (ie. Very hot/dry or cold & damp or very variable); Warped keys, etc.

(Q) What does 'Regulation of Touch' mean ?

(A) This refers to the evenness of pressure between each note and a crisp repetition, accompanied by effective damping. This work is carried out every so often by a trained technician or Tuner.

Footnote - Do not attempt to adjust the action yourself; always ask a professional to do this work.

General Advice

(Q) What advice do you normally offer to parents with children who wish to learn the piano ?

(A) The general advice is that if your children are to enjoy the piano and make progress, then you need to get them a piano which is easy to play, with a nice tone, and in full working order. An old 'banger' from the ads in newspapers will probably not do. The 'Law of diminishing returns' applies; the worse the piano, the less likely they are to make any progress.

Footnote - think about renting a good modern piano for a year or two with an option to buy later. This is a sensible and relatively inexpensive method of testing the water. See also Buying a piano & Rental-purchase.

(Q) I have inherited a piano, but do not know its value, nor have I any idea of its condition or potential, and need advice.

(A) The obvious advice here, is ask a Piano Tuner to provide you with an appraisal before you make any decision. To find a good Tuner, visit the Piano Tuners' Association, at www.pianotuner.org.uk (in the UK).

(Q) I have 2 pianos at present, and need to dispose of one of them, but don't know which one, & need advice.

(A) A professional assessment of both pianos is the next step by a good Piano Tuner. See Selling a piano.

(Q) I need a good piano and my playing standard demands a good instrument, however I cannot afford to purchase a suitable piano at present; what do you suggest ?

(A) As good pianos are generally expensive, rental may be the most practical route. Firstly, it is relatively cheap, secondly, the cost can be spread over a period, thirdly, you choose which piano you rent, and how long for. See also - Rental-purchase

(Q) I'm told restoration will inevitably change the style & character of my old piano.

(A) If a piano is altered in style, if poor or different parts & materials are used, or if the quality of the work is shoddy, then the answer is 'Yes'.

Footnote - However, we only use the finest quality materials available, paying careful attention to detail in our work; the result is an instrument returned to its former glory, similar to when it left the factory - with all its original character intact.

(Q) I'm told I should dispense with my old piano, and buy a new piano instead. Is this good advice ?

(A) This may or may not be right, however, you may have been advised by an over-enthusiastic salesperson ! Consider restoration if your existing piano is well-made, and is built by a reputable manufacturer. There is, however, little point in spending money on your piano if (1) it is very old; (2) it would cost you more than it may ever be worth; (3) it is straight-strung & overdamped; (4) its construction, tone or action are poor.

Footnote - If you have a sturdy piano that can be restored, our advice would be that you should seriously consider restoration. The danger is that you could actually go down in quality by replacing it with a 'cheap' new piano !

Our Terms & Guarantees

(Q) How long do you guarantee your work ?

(A) All our work is guaranteed for five years; however, the structural integrity of a restored piano (i.e. soundboard, wrestplank, bridges, frame etc.) is guaranteed for one year as we cannot be held liable for future events outside our control. 

(Q) What does this apply to ?

(A) All our restoration work, and all pianos offered for sale.

(Q) Does your guarantee apply to infestations, such as woodworm or moth ?

(A) All our work in our restored instruments is checked carefully before the piano is returned, or being offered for sale. When dealing with pianos up to 110 years old, it is inevitable that some of them will have sustained some degree of infestation. We guarantee that any such instruments that have sustained any moth or woodworm attack will have been treated to the best of our ability.

Footnote - we cannot indemnify you against any future return of infestation.

(Q) What conditions would void your guarantees ?

(A) Extremes of temperature (such as dry heat or damp cold); Constantly changing temperatures; heavy or sustained over-use or abuse; lack of regular or any maintenance, (such as tuning); Negligent or careless treatment by removal operators; Attempting to 'fix' an alleged defect, or tampering with the interior workings; housing a piano in front of a radiator, or in strong sunlight (such as in a conservatory).

(Q) Can you provide any references or testimonials ?

(A) We have a folder full of complimentary letters, but to protect clients' identities, we cannot and will not release them over the internet. However they are available for viewing at our premises during opening hours.

About Tuning & Maintenance

Tuning

(Q) What is 'Concert pitch' ?

(A) This is the frequency to which all musical instruments Are set or tuned. It is known as A=440 Cycles P.S.

(Q) How often should my piano be tuned ?

(A) The general concensus is that most pianos need to be tuned at least once per year, but ideally, twice. This largely depends on how much the piano is used, what condition it is in, and how stable the temperature is where the piano is housed.

(Q) Why does my piano go out of tune so soon after being retuned ?

(A) The most likely reason is that the strings/wrestpins are old and need to be replaced. Another factor is expansion/contraction of strings, due to extremes of temperature.

(Q) Why can't my piano be tuned to concert pitch ?

(A) The usual reasons are old & brittle strings, and loose wrestpins. Some pianos with wooden frames, or which are poorly constructed, may not be sturdy enough to take the strain. See also more about restoration.

(Q) Where do I find a competent Piano Tuner (in the UK) ?

(A) Visit the Piano Tuners Association at their website - www.pianotuner.org.uk

Maintenance

(Q) What are the facts about effects of central heating ?

(A) Most pianos are sturdy enough to be unaffected by central heating, providing (1) it does not get too hot, say, over 25°C/77°F, nor should the humidity fall below around 35%.

Footnote - problems associated with central heating usually arise in old pianos that are in poor condition; dry & warm conditions often cause deterioration in instruments that have been damp, or are already in need of professional attention.

Footnote - Sometimes we hear of a bowl of water being placed inside a piano. This is largely ineffective as water evaporates quickly, and provides only limited local protection.

(Q) Where should a piano not be housed ?

(A) Not in hot temperatures with low humidity. (Preferably) not in cold & damp conditions. Not in an environment where temperatures fluctuate wildly (i.e. hot during the day; cold every night). Avoid outside walls in older properties. Keep away from direct sunlight - particularly south facing windows - never in conservatories ! Never place in front of a radiator or fire. Under-floor heating is also known to be harmful, due to its drying action.

(Q) Do I need a humififier ?

(A) Not unless the air is dry - such as central or under- floor heated rooms.

Footnote - the best "humidifiers" are pot plants - unlike artificial methods, plants have to be watered; the leaves produce moisture; they need to be watered regularly, and they are attractive !

(Q) How should the cabinet (case) be polished ?

(A) If a traditional satin finish, regularly polish with a good beeswax, say once a month. Do not polish a sheen french-polished finish or polyester, this will make it smeary, simply use a soft duster, or a damp cloth to remove stains or spillages.

(Q) How do I clean the keytops/ivories ?

(A) The safest and most practical way is simply to use a damp cloth. It is, however, wiser to ask your Piano Tuner to do this for you. Keep the fall (keyboard-lid) Closed down when the piano is not in use.

Footnote - we have heard that ivories have in the past been cleaned with Milk ! Not only does milk not clean effectively, it leaves them sticky, smelly, and is unhygienic.

(Q) Apart from tuning, what other maintenance is required to my piano ?

(A) Regulation of the touch should be carried out every 10 years (more often if used heavily), and occasionally the interior should be cleaned. Again, a qualified tuner or technician should carry out both tasks.

Footnote - NEVER attempt to tamper with or try to clean or repair the interior of a piano yourself - the likelyhood of damage far outweighs the saving of a professional service.

About Restoration

(Q) Will restoration change the character of the instrument from its former quality of tone & touch ?

(A) The ultimate aim of restoration is to return the piano to as close to its original style & character as possible. If the instrument is restored using the finest parts & materials, the original character should not be lost by restoration. (We cannot, for example, change an old Bechstein into a new Bluthner or Steinway).

Footnote - The original character could well be lost if it is deliberately altered or if poor standards of workmanship or parts are used.

(Q) How long does it take to restore an average piano ?

(A) The usual time is around 4 months for an upright, and 5 months for a grand. However, if the work involves additional complex repairs or structural work, such as bridge or soundboard rebuilding, it can increase the time taken.

(Q) How can I be absolutely sure that I will like the piano once it has been restored, in advance of deciding to go ahead ?

(A) The answer is that you can't. Having said that, this has never happened in 31 years, and we would not agree to take on the work unless the piano was of a high standard and structurally sound.

(Q) How long should I expect the restored piano to last ?

(A) We would be disappointed if the instrument failed to provide lasting enjoyment for 50 years, assuming it is maintained, and not abused or played excessively.

(Q) What is the cost of a restoration ?

(A) No two instruments are alike, so there is no standard figure, but for an average upright piano in average condition, a ball-park figure is £ 3000-3500; for a baby grand, £ 5500-6000; for a boudoir grand £ 6500-7500; for a larger grand, from £ 7500. (VAT and transportation costs are payable on all work carried out).

(Q) How accurate are your quotations ?

(A) As accurate as it is possible to make them, in the light of having restored many makes & models over nearly 30 years. However, there have been times when we have discovered items of work after the restoration has commenced that could not have been foreseen at the outset, (such as soundboard splits hidden behind the iron frame). In such instances we always contact the client to discuss the matter further.

(Q) As part of the restoration, the piano will be restrung; are the new strings liable to settle - ie. lose pitch - after a time ?

(A) The answer is Yes. However, as part of our work, we always stretch the new strings to eliminate any potential loss in pitch as far as is possible.

Footnote - We retune all pianos sharp of A-440 before being returned to their owners. This helps to create stability of tuning later on because over the first six months normal settling of the new strings will gradually lower the pitch to A-440.

(Q) Similarly, as many new felts and leatherwork will be fitted, is it possible that these new parts will also compress over time and might this affect the touch ?

(A) Possibly. Our advice is get the touch regulation checked by ourselves or a piano tuner about a year later. The possible areas that may be affected are lost motion, alignment of hammers and depth of touch. Adjustments needed are usually minor.

(Q) So, having made the decision to proceed, I will be without my piano for many months, but need a working tuned piano in the meantime. Can you help ?

(A) In most cases we can supply a loaned instrument which would be delivered at the same time as your own piano is collected. We do not charge for the loan of the piano; however we might have to ask you to cover the cost of transporting the loaned instrument, if you live some distance from Oxford and we have to use external carriers.