Tuning, Repair and Rebuilding Services, Photos of our Work, and Pricing

Action Piano Service

Southwest Michigan's Full Service Piano Shop
Tuning, Repairs, Rebuilding-Grands, Uprights, Player-Pianos, Pump/Reed Organs, Melodeons, Square Pianos

(800) 404-5836

TUNING: How much does tuning cost? Usually we charge a minimum service call fee which is used to pay some of our travel to your site, and to evaluate your piano (the fee is refunded back into any work we do for you). But, as a basis for comparison, tuning a piano runs around $97.00... Additional repair work is done according to whatever is required and approved once we see your piano. We do work ranging from just tuning the piano to entire restoration. Once we see your instrument, we'll establish a written appraisal, and estimate for necessary work. After you've had time to review and approve our estimate, we will arrange to tune your piano or repair the piano at your home; or if more extensive repair or rebuilding is required, we'll arrange to pick up the instrument with our piano trailer, and move it (yes it's insured) to our shop.

REPAIR: What to do if you have an old piano in need of repair or restoration? Well, first of all, have a qualified repair technician examine the instrument. You can have me look at the piano, or if distance is a factor (you might be surprised how far we range from Michigan in our travels) you can e-mail me or send us the information and we can take it from there. If we are not able to be of assistance I may be able to suggest a local technician who works on your type of piano...but whatever you do, don't trash-sell-destroy the instrument before you call somebody...it may be irreplaceable. I can be reached at 269-674-7200. If I am traveling I check my voice mail regularly.

REBUILDING: What is "rebuilding" and what does it mean? Our rebuilding work includes among other things, the following; Piano case cleaned, stripped and repaired, then beautifully refinished. (On grand pianos the plate is also removed and refinished) All pianos include new tuning pins and restringing, re-felting dampers, high quality new hammers, rebuilding of the entire action to the highest industry standards, new keytops (or original if requested) and keys rebushed, keybed re-felted, soundboard repair, bridge repair, action carefully regulated to optimum performance, hardware polished and cleaned, any necessary repair to wheels and casters, and about 12 tunings in shop for stability before returning to client. Player pianos would also include rebuilding the valve assembly and all cloth and tubes/hoses. More details available on request. Turn around time varies depending on the instrument, backlog, and customer needs. Pricing varies somewhat as well... the best quality shops charge a little more for rebuilding services...accordingly, we may not be the cheapest rebuilding service. As a guideline, recent estimates for Grand pianos have ranged from $13,900 to $16,900.00 plus delivery. In the case of many vintage pianos, it would be well worth it since some older instruments are of very high quality and will end up being worth close to double that amount! Player pianos can range upwards to $15,000 for restoration (pre-standard or unusual instruments can be more) including player piano motor, bellows etc.* Specific quotes for your particular piano are given at the time of the service call/evaluation. And of course many repairs are possible for far less money than complete rebuilding.

* (Bench fees for restoring player piano mechanisms without rebuilding the piano itself start at $4750. Usually, if the piano is not being totally restored, several hundred additional dollars are necessary to get the older antique piano minimally ready for the rebuilt player motor as well...when possible, we very much prefer to have your piano in our shop for fitting the rebuilt player motor. )

Finally, when evaluating your piano for restoration, it is always important to consider purchasing a new instrument instead. Many times a new piano can be procured for far less than the cost of restoration. However, if what you have is a fine quality piece, or an heirloom, then rebuilding could be a good and cost effective option. It is always a very good idea to check out the shop you plan to work with, and along those lines we welcome potential clients to visit us on an appointment basis.

Here are some photos or our recent work-some in progress, some finished.