Thank you! I must give credit to my mentor for this method of measuring string length. My Starrett cutters have two marks on each side: one measures string length for three coils on the tuning pin and the other measures string length for four coils on the tuning pin.
I have always wondered how these grand pianos were tuned. It would have been nice to have had an explanation of the process,but I’m amazed at your work. Thanks for the video!👍🏻
I have restrung well over 1000 pianos in my life of different makes and models. Good to see someone doing good work and taking pride in their craft. I personally like the N/B pins when restringing. Gives it a pop when looking at it. Had to change out a pinblock on a 1858 Steinway Grand. That was probably the most tedious job I have ever had to do with a Steinway. Not your typical pinblock of today. The plate had to go in and out at least 50 times. Wonderful video btw:)
Thanks for watching and I appreciate your feedback! I too prefer the N/B pins, but this customer wanted to keep the same aesthetic so we went with the blued pins to match the originals. The 1858 Steinway pin block job you’re referring to… was it one of those older angled blocks that tend to sag in the middle preventing the removal of the action? Either way, I can only imagine the amount of work that went into changing a block on a piano that old!
@@phillypianotuning Yes, the sag was profound and a brace was fabricated and installed to help fix that issue. Someone strung the piano in the past with 6/0 and the pins were loose so it needed to be replaced regardless. Thanks for the reply back. Good to see people posting and being active with there account on all ends. Take care 🙂
Thank you! I agree. It's refreshing to take care of a piano without always needing to resort to full restoration. Also, I'm a great admirer of your work and the videos on your channel. Thanks for watching.
Great video, it would be nice if the background music were piano music, it could be the actual piano being re-stringed… played for the first part, and then once the piano is re-stringed it could be piano music played on the same piano after the new strings and when it’s tuned/voiced
The resultant tone (structure, blossoming, sustain) was top notch! Gorgeous. What was condition of the hammers? (& who manufactured them?). You must have voiced them very very carefully. What did they require?
Thanks for watching! In this particular restoration, yes the pins were one size larger than the originals. The originals were 2/0 x 2 3/8 and we installed 3/0 x 2 3/8 size pins.
Thanks for watching! Bösendorfer manufacturers their own strings in their factory in Vienna. I think Paulello strings are a fantastic new option for all piano restorers: they offer piano wire for optimal string scaling (smoother transition between piano registers and/or to help prevent string breakage) and their nickel-plated wire that resists rust and corrosion. I had a customer who was interested in using Paulello for their restoration, but in the end decided to go with Mapes International Gold Standard wire for the plain strings and J.D. Grandt for the bass strings. The results were fantastic! It’s wonderful that we now have so many options to choose from to get the most out of our pianos.
@@phillypianotuning Thanks, one thing I would love to watch is something that has never been done (at least on youtube): a comparison between strings using the same piano.
I enjoyed watching your work. Particularly how you cover the edge, unwinding the spool of wires, marking a group of pins as you start tuning. Very skillful and meticulous. I would add some supporting block under the pin block while hammering down the tuning pins. Thanks for sharing an amazing video!
Thanks so much! It's hard to see when my back is to the camera, but I do have a pin-block support installed when stringing. If you look carefully @10:10 you'll see the pin-block support through the bass strings.
@@phillypianotuning Question: From your experience, do you know if there are any benefits of using hitch pin punchings? or strictly for decoration? Thanks!
@@HnryLm from my experience they help prevent buzzes/rattles at the hitch pin (especially if the strings aren't fully seated on the plate). I've never seen an all-original Steinway with hitch pin punchings so I don't use them in my rebuilds/restoration work on Steinways. A lot of the European brands utilize hitch pin punchings (Bösendorfer comes to mind) but I'm unsure if there is a benefit outside of noise reduction.
You used a drill to remove the stakes that hold the strings then pounded them back in with a hammer? Could you explain what happened here and how this actually works? Sorry just wasnt so clear from the video
Thanks for watching! We use a drill to remove the old tuning pins because it is more efficient. New, larger pins are then installed with a sledge hammer out of preference. They make an “auto-hammer” tool that drives tuning pins into the pinblock, but it can damage the top of the tuning pins so I prefer a manual hammer. I hope this answers your question! Feel free to ask more questions if my answer is unclear. Thanks!
Yes agreed with the drill. But I learned the first time I did that to pulse the drill instead of steady power to prevent burning the pin hole. My 1/2" drill is slow speed, also.@@phillypianotuning
@@MrEpifyte unfortunately I don’t have an answer to that question, but I do know that other manufacturers-like Mason & Hamlin-also refrain from using tuning pin bushings.
Prices vary depending on what is needed/decided upon by the customer. The labor ranges from $1,506.24 - $2,259.36. Then add costs for moving, parts (strings, tuning pins, felts, etc.) and tunings after delivery. The total cost for this project was $3652.77. It can cost more or less depending on if the customer needs sound board repairs/replacement, a new pin block, refinishing of the cast iron plate, etc. It’s a very specific type of work that requires careful consideration and patience.
I'm a bit confused, at 5:48 the pins are removed by unscrewing like they have threads but then when replacing them they are hammered in.. Are they threaded or not?
well your question is very good. I wonder if it's laziness. Also I dislike CA glue inside the pinblock, this is laziness because it doesn't take any effort to put wood shims inside and hide glue. CA glue is like cement, friction with CA glue will damage metal and wood.
Isn't it allways better to remove the iron frame 1. to do a thorough cleaning 2. to check and if needed correct string angle 3. to detect possible invisible cracks in the soundboard?
Always better? No, not necessarily. We have the tools to do a thorough cleaning without removing the plate. When you say "string angle" do you mean bearing? Removing the plate is not required to check bearing, only to adjust it. We remove the strings, let the soundboard rest for a few days in optimal humidity, then check the bearing. We remove the plate if an adjustment is required (it wasn't necessary for this particular project). We can see the entirety of the soundboard from underneath the piano and there were no visible cracks or separation, but I agree that removing the plate would aide in seeing cracks from the topside of the piano if necessary.
More videos, please!! I was thinking about buying an old Steinway. I heard Steinway does not sell their strings to outsiders. Are their strings any better? I am a violinist and we change our strings because it gets worn out or break. We also change the bow hair frequently. For violin the sound quality depends on the wood quality, age, balance, sound post location, etc. Violin strings also makes a difference but expensive strings are not necessarily great. When you replace the string and the worn out hammers of old Steinways, would it no longer sound like a Steinway??? Or would it start sounding like it did when it was new? Being a violinist, I assume the quality of the sound of a Steinway comes from the body and soundboard of it but what makes Steinway a Steinway in your opinion?
Steinway sources their strings from Mapes Piano String Co. Third-party restorers and technicians are able to purchase new piano strings (treble & bass strings) from Mapes without any trouble. Mapes, as far as I’m aware, has the most comprehensive string scale data for Steinway pianos. If a skilled technician who is familiar with the Steinway sound replaces the strings, hammers and other action parts it SHOULD sound like a new Steinway, but there are many technicians who slap new parts on Steinways-like a car mechanic slapping new brake pads on old rotors-and the result is entirely unsatisfying. This is probably one of the main reasons that Steinway is doing their best to limit third party restorers’ access to new Steinway parts and why they are encouraging owners of vintage Steinways to get their pianos restored at the New York factory. I can’t answer objectively what makes a Steinway a Steinway. Some say all Steinway parts and ONLY Steinway parts makes a Steinway a Steinway, but I have restored Steinways with Renner action parts and Ronsen piano hammers resulting in very happy pianists. Thanks for watching! More videos to come.
I recommend connecting with a local technician and seeing if you can spend some time with them. Otherwise, there are a few online options: The Randy Potter School of Piano Technology (www.pianotuning.com) and the American School of Piano Tuning (www.piano-tuning.com). Also, check out the Piano Technician's Guild for a way to connect with a local, skilled technician (www.ptg.org). Thanks for watching!
I've noticed, that the non-bass strings in fact share two "strings". One half of these pairs have the same pitch, but the other half belongs to neighbouring pitches. Now that calls for some explanation! How can the string turning "node" (don't know the name) manage the difference of string tension of the two parts? Or which other part of the string suspension mechanism takes care of this difference? (maybe be the two "bending pins"?) Is this simplificating kind of soluion Steinway specific?
You're on the right track! One note (or unison) is 1.5 pieces of wire. A single length of wire is bent in half creating the first two strings of the note and the final string is half of another length of wire. The other half of wire is one string of the next or adjacent note. To answer the other part of your question: the piece of wire that is shared between two adjacent notes terminates at the hitch pin and more or less creates to separate strings that can hold different tensions. What are the exact physics behind this reality? I couldn't tell you, but wire is malleable, has a "memory" and can be trained to hold these varying levels of tensions through regular tunings. This design is not Steinway specific. Many piano manufacturers have similar designs, but certain European varieties prefer single string ties for each note (meaning three separate pieces of strings per note). Which one is better? That's up for debate!
I'll never complain about restringing my guitar, again! What a great video. Thanks for posting it. Our home has a smaller Kawaii GX2 (5'11") but I never paid attention to what the tech does when he comes for tunings. I just leave him alone so he can hear. How many passes do you have to do to get it in tune? Does the soundboard compress at all under string tension causing the earlier tuned strings to go flat and need to additional tension to return to pitch?
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching. To answer your question: it depends. In this video I had chip tuned, leveled strings, and seated strings at the bearing/termination points three times (chip tune, seat strings, level strings, repeat). I then aligned the hammers to the strings, mated the hammers to the strings and fine tuned it 2-3 times. The result of that work is what you hear at the end of the video. My customers then get four free tunings spaced three months apart after the piano is delivered to their home. Most of these tunings require a quick pitch correction pass and one fine tuning pass. Then I recommend tuning twice a year, every year for the rest of the piano’s life. And yes, if the piano is far above or below pitch the soundboard will compress and the first strings tuned will drift requiring another tuning pass to stabilize the pitch. How many passes exactly? It totally depends on how sharp or flat the piano is that day.
@@phillypianotuning It is definitely essential. Right now I am doing half twists on vintage Yamaha CP-80 coiled strings, and it's insane how well it fixes the tone. No more "schwap" kind of tone. It's like brand new strings. I had replaced a string of a double string pair (note 26... A#). The new string had so much zing compared to every other, so I twisted an adjacent note and was able to make it sound like new strings too. I am now doing it to all coiled ones, breaking to play some music in-between. Addictive. :)
@@ChonkTek we've had to twist entire sets of new bass strings on restorations from other shops. I'm not sure if it was an oversight or lack of knowledge, but the tone goes "schwap" (to use your description) pretty quickly if they aren't twisted. Your CP-80 project sounds like fun and addictive is right! It's hard to stop working on piano projects once you start finding ways to make things sound better and play better.
@@phillypianotuning that's interesting! This particular string maker included a note with some replacement strings stating that the warranty on bass strings is voided if the strings are not twisted upon installation. They also did not make the strings according to the factory style when it seems they could have done it right. They told me they had the data on this piano, but it looks like their data is incorrect.
@@ChonkTek if it's who I'm thinking it is they are exceptional and have scaling and string-making knowledge that I've come to trust implicitly (even if their strings deviate from factory specifications). I hope you're happy regardless!
Thanks for your comment! We didn’t repaint the plate because it was outside of the customer’s budget. They also commented that they liked the aesthetic of patina.
@@claudedespres4772 your English is fine! We are lucky as technicians to work on such an amazing instrument. I’m sure your piano rebuilds were beautiful.
@@phillypianotuning I found lot of restored piano pictures that I will send you. I realize why I am tired and I am retired. I will put the pics in drop box and send you a link to get it. Give me your email address, that will be easy to send you my kind of work. Regards, Claude Despres, québec, Can.
No, if the pin-torque is high enough the original pins can be reused. In that case we’ll back the pin out of the block 1-3 turns before restringing with new wire.
I wish there was! a customer wanted me to pitch up her old piano to a "healing frequency" of 444hz. I told her to call someone else...@@kevinmcalley379
Hi there Letter for all of the Piano Companies out there. Why couldn't all of you Remake most Daddy Grand Pianos with Three and a Half Times more Lower Tone Fishing Line Nylon Strings on most those Particular Daddy Grand Pianos this will be a Half Times more Lower and better sounding Tone Fishing Line Nylon Strings on most of the Particular Daddy Grand Pianos such as for example the Eighty Eight Keys more than most of the Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Pianos on Every Single one of those Daddy Grand Pianos instead of using all of the normal metal strings on most of the Daddy Grand Pianos so all of the musician's will enjoy more of the particular Similar sounds of all the Daddy Grand Pianos? We all meant Eighty-Eight Keys on Every Single one of those Daddy Grand Pianos so it will be Better Progress for Every Single one of those musicians to Remake a Similar Theme and also Remake Different Tune for those particular Daddy Grand Pianos and include the Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Pianos so that most of the other Piano Companies would always be having the Special Opportunities to be remaking Eighty-Eight Key Version of all the Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Pianos on Every Single one of those Daddy Grand Pianos but with most of the Three and a Half Times more and more Lower and better-Tuning Fishing Line Nylon Strings on most of those Particular type Different Colour Daddy Grand Pianos please make sure you can Remake them to the perfect exact way of Eight-Eight Keys on most of those Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Piano's Please do this interesting type of Daddy Grand Piano Project for all of us Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Piano sound lovers out there Thank You for Understanding what I am Talking About.
I'm a piano tech as well. Your method of measuring string length is excellent, and I can't wait to try it. Great work!
Thank you! I must give credit to my mentor for this method of measuring string length. My Starrett cutters have two marks on each side: one measures string length for three coils on the tuning pin and the other measures string length for four coils on the tuning pin.
I have always wondered how these grand pianos were tuned. It would have been nice to have had an explanation of the process,but I’m amazed at your work. Thanks for the video!👍🏻
I'll be uploading a video of the piano tuning process soon! Thanks for watching.
Amazing
Thank you! Cheers!
A lovely job with the restringing and tuning, And a beautiful performance of the Brahms A Flat waltz to reveal a lovely piano.
Thank you! The customer was thrilled with the final result.
I have restrung well over 1000 pianos in my life of different makes and models. Good to see someone doing good work and taking pride in their craft. I personally like the N/B pins when restringing. Gives it a pop when looking at it. Had to change out a pinblock on a 1858 Steinway Grand. That was probably the most tedious job I have ever had to do with a Steinway. Not your typical pinblock of today. The plate had to go in and out at least 50 times. Wonderful video btw:)
Thanks for watching and I appreciate your feedback! I too prefer the N/B pins, but this customer wanted to keep the same aesthetic so we went with the blued pins to match the originals.
The 1858 Steinway pin block job you’re referring to… was it one of those older angled blocks that tend to sag in the middle preventing the removal of the action? Either way, I can only imagine the amount of work that went into changing a block on a piano that old!
@@phillypianotuning Yes, the sag was profound and a brace was fabricated and installed to help fix that issue. Someone strung the piano in the past with 6/0 and the pins were loose so it needed to be replaced regardless. Thanks for the reply back. Good to see people posting and being active with there account on all ends. Take care 🙂
i have learnt a lot in this video. and your method of coiling the strings to the tuning pin before hammering is a good way of speeding up the process.
Thanks for watching!
*Estupendo Grandioso, Fenomenal. Amo Esta Bella Labor, Legado De Mi Padre Miguel Roberto Forero Rojas.*
Gracias por ver!
Wow a lot of awesome work into this this, what a cool job! Was so fascinating to watch, thanks for sharing:)
Thanks for watching!
Nice video! Thanks for posting!
Thanks for watching!
Good job. Congratulations.
Thanks so much for watching!
Great work! I love it when the client just wants the necessary work done and not the looks.
Thank you! I agree. It's refreshing to take care of a piano without always needing to resort to full restoration. Also, I'm a great admirer of your work and the videos on your channel. Thanks for watching.
Hey Lj! Your video just showed up on my UA-cam. Nice job! Is this the shop space that you told me about? Tom
Hi Tom, thanks for checking out the video! This is our original (and very small) shop space. We've moved to a larger space in the same building.
GREAT IT!!...Thanks
Great video, it would be nice if the background music were piano music, it could be the actual piano being re-stringed… played for the first part, and then once the piano is re-stringed it could be piano music played on the same piano after the new strings and when it’s tuned/voiced
Thanks for watching and for your comments! We'll keep it in mind for our upcoming videos.
The resultant tone (structure, blossoming, sustain) was top notch! Gorgeous. What was condition of the hammers? (& who manufactured them?). You must have voiced them very very carefully. What did they require?
Guau! Beautiful work! Are the new pins used one size larger than the original ones? Thanks.
Thanks for watching! In this particular restoration, yes the pins were one size larger than the originals. The originals were 2/0 x 2 3/8 and we installed 3/0 x 2 3/8 size pins.
Did you use a wider pins then a previous ones?
Yes. The original pins measure 2/0 - 2 3/8 and we installed 3/0 - 2 3/8 pins (the next size up).
Very nice. What about Bosendorfer strings? Do they use Mapes strings as well? And what do you think of Paulello strings?
Thanks for watching! Bösendorfer manufacturers their own strings in their factory in Vienna. I think Paulello strings are a fantastic new option for all piano restorers: they offer piano wire for optimal string scaling (smoother transition between piano registers and/or to help prevent string breakage) and their nickel-plated wire that resists rust and corrosion.
I had a customer who was interested in using Paulello for their restoration, but in the end decided to go with Mapes International Gold Standard wire for the plain strings and J.D. Grandt for the bass strings. The results were fantastic! It’s wonderful that we now have so many options to choose from to get the most out of our pianos.
@@phillypianotuning Thanks, one thing I would love to watch is something that has never been done (at least on youtube): a comparison between strings using the same piano.
I enjoyed watching your work. Particularly how you cover the edge, unwinding the spool of wires, marking a group of pins as you start tuning. Very skillful and meticulous. I would add some supporting block under the pin block while hammering down the tuning pins. Thanks for sharing an amazing video!
Thanks so much! It's hard to see when my back is to the camera, but I do have a pin-block support installed when stringing. If you look carefully @10:10 you'll see the pin-block support through the bass strings.
@@phillypianotuning Question: From your experience, do you know if there are any benefits of using hitch pin punchings? or strictly for decoration? Thanks!
@@HnryLm from my experience they help prevent buzzes/rattles at the hitch pin (especially if the strings aren't fully seated on the plate). I've never seen an all-original Steinway with hitch pin punchings so I don't use them in my rebuilds/restoration work on Steinways. A lot of the European brands utilize hitch pin punchings (Bösendorfer comes to mind) but I'm unsure if there is a benefit outside of noise reduction.
You used a drill to remove the stakes that hold the strings then pounded them back in with a hammer? Could you explain what happened here and how this actually works? Sorry just wasnt so clear from the video
Thanks for watching! We use a drill to remove the old tuning pins because it is more efficient. New, larger pins are then installed with a sledge hammer out of preference. They make an “auto-hammer” tool that drives tuning pins into the pinblock, but it can damage the top of the tuning pins so I prefer a manual hammer.
I hope this answers your question! Feel free to ask more questions if my answer is unclear. Thanks!
Yes agreed with the drill. But I learned the first time I did that to pulse the drill instead of steady power to prevent burning the pin hole. My 1/2" drill is slow speed, also.@@phillypianotuning
Is there a reason why steinway doesn't use pin collars?
@@MrEpifyte unfortunately I don’t have an answer to that question, but I do know that other manufacturers-like Mason & Hamlin-also refrain from using tuning pin bushings.
It is a very nice work. How much do you charge for this restring?
Prices vary depending on what is needed/decided upon by the customer. The labor ranges from $1,506.24 - $2,259.36. Then add costs for moving, parts (strings, tuning pins, felts, etc.) and tunings after delivery. The total cost for this project was $3652.77.
It can cost more or less depending on if the customer needs sound board repairs/replacement, a new pin block, refinishing of the cast iron plate, etc. It’s a very specific type of work that requires careful consideration and patience.
Fantastic work!
What is the name of the piece played at the end of this video? I can’t remember the name but it is a beautiful piece!
Thank you! The piece is Brahms Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15.
I'm a bit confused, at 5:48 the pins are removed by unscrewing like they have threads but then when replacing them they are hammered in.. Are they threaded or not?
Yes! The tuning pins are threaded, but the threads are very fine (when you touch them they feel rough like 220 grit sandpaper).
well your question is very good. I wonder if it's laziness. Also I dislike CA glue inside the pinblock, this is laziness because it doesn't take any effort to put wood shims inside and hide glue. CA glue is like cement, friction with CA glue will damage metal and wood.
Isn't it allways better to remove the iron frame 1. to do a thorough cleaning 2. to check and if needed correct string angle 3. to detect possible invisible cracks in the soundboard?
Always better? No, not necessarily. We have the tools to do a thorough cleaning without removing the plate. When you say "string angle" do you mean bearing? Removing the plate is not required to check bearing, only to adjust it. We remove the strings, let the soundboard rest for a few days in optimal humidity, then check the bearing. We remove the plate if an adjustment is required (it wasn't necessary for this particular project). We can see the entirety of the soundboard from underneath the piano and there were no visible cracks or separation, but I agree that removing the plate would aide in seeing cracks from the topside of the piano if necessary.
More videos, please!! I was thinking about buying an old Steinway. I heard Steinway does not sell their strings to outsiders. Are their strings any better? I am a violinist and we change our strings because it gets worn out or break. We also change the bow hair frequently. For violin the sound quality depends on the wood quality, age, balance, sound post location, etc. Violin strings also makes a difference but expensive strings are not necessarily great. When you replace the string and the worn out hammers of old Steinways, would it no longer sound like a Steinway??? Or would it start sounding like it did when it was new? Being a violinist, I assume the quality of the sound of a Steinway comes from the body and soundboard of it but what makes Steinway a Steinway in your opinion?
Steinway sources their strings from Mapes Piano String Co. Third-party restorers and technicians are able to purchase new piano strings (treble & bass strings) from Mapes without any trouble. Mapes, as far as I’m aware, has the most comprehensive string scale data for Steinway pianos.
If a skilled technician who is familiar with the Steinway sound replaces the strings, hammers and other action parts it SHOULD sound like a new Steinway, but there are many technicians who slap new parts on Steinways-like a car mechanic slapping new brake pads on old rotors-and the result is entirely unsatisfying. This is probably one of the main reasons that Steinway is doing their best to limit third party restorers’ access to new Steinway parts and why they are encouraging owners of vintage Steinways to get their pianos restored at the New York factory.
I can’t answer objectively what makes a Steinway a Steinway. Some say all Steinway parts and ONLY Steinway parts makes a Steinway a Steinway, but I have restored Steinways with Renner action parts and Ronsen piano hammers resulting in very happy pianists. Thanks for watching! More videos to come.
Where can i start if i want to learn to service my own piano (every single things) like this :0
I recommend connecting with a local technician and seeing if you can spend some time with them. Otherwise, there are a few online options: The Randy Potter School of Piano Technology (www.pianotuning.com) and the American School of Piano Tuning (www.piano-tuning.com). Also, check out the Piano Technician's Guild for a way to connect with a local, skilled technician (www.ptg.org). Thanks for watching!
I've noticed, that the non-bass strings in fact share two "strings". One half of these pairs have the same pitch, but the other half belongs to neighbouring pitches. Now that calls for some explanation! How can the string turning "node" (don't know the name) manage the difference of string tension of the two parts? Or which other part of the string suspension mechanism takes care of this difference? (maybe be the two "bending pins"?) Is this simplificating kind of soluion Steinway specific?
You're on the right track! One note (or unison) is 1.5 pieces of wire. A single length of wire is bent in half creating the first two strings of the note and the final string is half of another length of wire. The other half of wire is one string of the next or adjacent note. To answer the other part of your question: the piece of wire that is shared between two adjacent notes terminates at the hitch pin and more or less creates to separate strings that can hold different tensions. What are the exact physics behind this reality? I couldn't tell you, but wire is malleable, has a "memory" and can be trained to hold these varying levels of tensions through regular tunings.
This design is not Steinway specific. Many piano manufacturers have similar designs, but certain European varieties prefer single string ties for each note (meaning three separate pieces of strings per note). Which one is better? That's up for debate!
what piece is the person playing at the end of the video? thanks!
The piece is Brahms Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15.
I'll never complain about restringing my guitar, again! What a great video. Thanks for posting it.
Our home has a smaller Kawaii GX2 (5'11") but I never paid attention to what the tech does when he comes for tunings. I just leave him alone so he can hear.
How many passes do you have to do to get it in tune? Does the soundboard compress at all under string tension causing the earlier tuned strings to go flat and need to additional tension to return to pitch?
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.
To answer your question: it depends. In this video I had chip tuned, leveled strings, and seated strings at the bearing/termination points three times (chip tune, seat strings, level strings, repeat). I then aligned the hammers to the strings, mated the hammers to the strings and fine tuned it 2-3 times. The result of that work is what you hear at the end of the video.
My customers then get four free tunings spaced three months apart after the piano is delivered to their home. Most of these tunings require a quick pitch correction pass and one fine tuning pass. Then I recommend tuning twice a year, every year for the rest of the piano’s life.
And yes, if the piano is far above or below pitch the soundboard will compress and the first strings tuned will drift requiring another tuning pass to stabilize the pitch. How many passes exactly? It totally depends on how sharp or flat the piano is that day.
Salut my friend super Piano super video subscribe subscribe ...
Wow, How long does this whole process take?
12-16 hours for this specific project. Thanks for watching!
🚂Well done - How long did this take in real time - Hi from Michigan Pianist. 🚂
Thanks for watching. It took around 16 hours.
@@phillypianotuning That's amazing! I would have guessed a week.
How much it cost to restring whole piano?
@@halidharis it depends on the piano and what it needs (not all pianos can simply have the strings replaced). This job in 2021 cost around $3,600.
The important part: 10:28. Twisting
Yes, twisting the bass strings in the direction of the winding is ESSENTIAL. Thanks for watching!
@@phillypianotuning It is definitely essential. Right now I am doing half twists on vintage Yamaha CP-80 coiled strings, and it's insane how well it fixes the tone. No more "schwap" kind of tone. It's like brand new strings. I had replaced a string of a double string pair (note 26... A#). The new string had so much zing compared to every other, so I twisted an adjacent note and was able to make it sound like new strings too. I am now doing it to all coiled ones, breaking to play some music in-between. Addictive. :)
@@ChonkTek we've had to twist entire sets of new bass strings on restorations from other shops. I'm not sure if it was an oversight or lack of knowledge, but the tone goes "schwap" (to use your description) pretty quickly if they aren't twisted.
Your CP-80 project sounds like fun and addictive is right! It's hard to stop working on piano projects once you start finding ways to make things sound better and play better.
@@phillypianotuning that's interesting! This particular string maker included a note with some replacement strings stating that the warranty on bass strings is voided if the strings are not twisted upon installation. They also did not make the strings according to the factory style when it seems they could have done it right. They told me they had the data on this piano, but it looks like their data is incorrect.
@@ChonkTek if it's who I'm thinking it is they are exceptional and have scaling and string-making knowledge that I've come to trust implicitly (even if their strings deviate from factory specifications). I hope you're happy regardless!
Why you repaint the plate?
Thanks for your comment! We didn’t repaint the plate because it was outside of the customer’s budget. They also commented that they liked the aesthetic of patina.
Nice work, I am retired now, and I have complety rebuild a lot of piano. Excuse my english, I am living in french area. Quebec province, Canada.
@@claudedespres4772 your English is fine! We are lucky as technicians to work on such an amazing instrument. I’m sure your piano rebuilds were beautiful.
@@phillypianotuning I found lot of restored piano pictures that I will send you. I realize why I am tired and I am retired. I will put the pics in drop box and send you a link to get it. Give me your email address, that will be easy to send you my kind of work.
Regards, Claude Despres, québec, Can.
@@claudedespres4772 thanks so much! phillypianotuning@gmail.com
What strings were used?
We used Mapes (www.mapesstrings.com) for both the treble and bass strings for this project.
Does one have to change the pins every time a piano is restrung?
No, if the pin-torque is high enough the original pins can be reused. In that case we’ll back the pin out of the block 1-3 turns before restringing with new wire.
What was the cost for this service?
The total for this service was $3652.77. The current cost for this service ranges from $4,000 - $6,000.
Fujans are the best!
I'm a Guitar player, so what if I want my piano droped tuned in Eb? 🤣...Sorry 😏
There is no such thing as capo for a piano. You will unfortunately have to learn how to play in different keys on a piano. Kevin McAlley
I wish there was! a customer wanted me to pitch up her old piano to a "healing frequency" of 444hz. I told her to call someone else...@@kevinmcalley379
Why are there 21 comments?
Apparently 21 people had something to say! 😆
Hi there Letter for all of the Piano Companies out there. Why couldn't all of you Remake most Daddy Grand Pianos with Three and a Half Times more Lower Tone Fishing Line Nylon Strings on most those Particular Daddy Grand Pianos this will be a Half Times more Lower and better sounding Tone Fishing Line Nylon Strings on most of the Particular Daddy Grand Pianos such as for example the Eighty Eight Keys more than most of the Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Pianos on Every Single one of those Daddy Grand Pianos instead of using all of the normal metal strings on most of the Daddy Grand Pianos so all of the musician's will enjoy more of the particular Similar sounds of all the Daddy Grand Pianos? We all meant Eighty-Eight Keys on Every Single one of those Daddy Grand Pianos so it will be Better Progress for Every Single one of those musicians to Remake a Similar Theme and also Remake Different Tune for those particular Daddy Grand Pianos and include the Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Pianos so that most of the other Piano Companies would always be having the Special Opportunities to be remaking Eighty-Eight Key Version of all the Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Pianos on Every Single one of those Daddy Grand Pianos but with most of the Three and a Half Times more and more Lower and better-Tuning Fishing Line Nylon Strings on most of those Particular type Different Colour Daddy Grand Pianos please make sure you can Remake them to the perfect exact way of Eight-Eight Keys on most of those Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Piano's Please do this interesting type of Daddy Grand Piano Project for all of us Different Colour Pattern Daddy Grand Piano sound lovers out there Thank You for Understanding what I am Talking About.