COVID-19 UPDATE:

​

Yes, service is being provided. However, due to the known and unknown nature of the virus, is it imperative that our technician takes great care as they travel between homes all across New England. Kris has been fully vaccinated but continues to wear a mask when requested on service calls for your safety. Your cooperation is requested by agreeing to the following protocols during the appointment and leading up to, regardless of the vaccine, until further notice:

 

1. Please remove items from the piano before service in order to reduce contact and make the service run more smoothly.

2. If you believe that you or anyone in the household is experiencing symptoms of illness of any kind prior to the appointment date, please contact your technician immediately. We may reschedule the appointment for a later date.

3. The technician will clean the keys after service but recommends that pianists wash their hands before and after playing both for public health and for the health of the keytop material.

4. Contactless payment options are available. 

​

How much does a piano tuning cost?

Piano tunings range from $150-300 depending on how out of tune the piano is. If the pitch of the piano is where it needs to be throughout the keyboard, a basic tuning is $150. If the piano has not been tuned in the past year, it may need a pitch adjustment. This requires a more complex tuning technique and is an additional cost of $35-150. The most common pitch adjustments average at about $55. 

 

How long will it take?

Our most common service is a tuning. This typically takes anywhere from 1-2 hours. In rare cases, this service may require a second appointment. Our online booking system also lets you know approximately how long our appointment will be.



Should I make sure I am there for our appointment?

While we always love to meet our clients face to face, there is no need for you to be present during the entire appointment. All we require is that we are able to enter your home or venue where the piano is located and that someone is able to be contacted in case there are any unexpected issues with your piano that may need to be discussed. For institutions and returning customers, we can email you an invoice which you can pay online at your convenience. If this is your first appointment, you may be asked to provide a deposit, and must be able to provide payment upon the completion of the work.

​

What happens if I need to cancel?

Same day cancellations or no-shows will result in a service fee of $85 to cover the administrative costs for the reserved time. There is no fee for cancelling more than 24 hours in advance. You may reschedule at any time for no fee.

 

Do you accept credit cards?

We accept all forms of payment from cash and checks, debit cards, visa and master cards, American Express, and even Venmo.



How am I supposed to tip you?

While tips are not generally expected, cash or check gratuities of any amount are always appreciated.

 

Do you need me to move the piano away from the wall?

Unless you think there may be an issue with the soundboard that you would like us to inspect or clean, usually there is no need to pull the piano away from the wall. However, we will need the top of the piano cleared off so that we can open it up and service it.

 

Where is the best place in my home for my piano?

Steer clear of windows and doors as these areas tend to be more affected by climate changes outside, resulting in potential long-term damage to the major wooden structures of your piano. Direct sunlight on the case tends to fade the finish over time. It can also cause the piano to go out of tune quickly if your lid is up and your strings are exposed to the direct light. Be sure that any heating or cooling vents are more than 2 feet away from the perimeter of your piano. The best location is usually near an inside wall, clear of those vents and windows. This tends to be a relatively stable part of the house for humidity changes. For even more stability, consider installing a Humidity Control System for your piano.

​

What is a Dampp-Chaser Humidity Control System?

For more information about the humidity control system, click here. Manufacturers, technicians, performance venues, and dealers all recommend the system to preserve the wood structures in the piano. 

 

How often should I have my piano tuned?

Manufacturers generally recommend every 6 months. Once a year should be the bare minimum. Some pianos may need it more or less often, depending on their individual stability and the user's needs. The more often a piano is tuned, the more stable the strings become. Performance instruments should be serviced more frequently than in-home pianos.

 

What is "regulation"?

Regulation services have to do with the fine adjustment of the thousands of mechanical parts of the piano. Having your piano regulated is important for optimal touch and tone of your instrument. A piano needs regulation periodically as the use of it tends to loosen up parts and felts can compress and settle. If your technician says you may need regulation services, don't panic. This is as normal and routine as having an alignment done on your car, your tires rotated and balanced, or your oil changed.

 

Do you service digital pianos?

Golden Tone Piano Service specialized in service for acoustic pianos only. If you are having an issue with a digital piano, contact the manufacturer. You can find the manufacturer's name at the center of the keyboard at the very top of the keys.

 

Do you offer discounts?

Non-profit organizations, institutions such as churches and schools receive a 10% discount off of all of my services. For more information about services for your institution, email me.

Our package deal services give you more bang for your buck since you are paying for the time rather than the service itself. I try to get as much done as possible to improve your piano during the package deal service. This is a great money saver and excellent service for your piano.

​

COVID-19 UPDATE: We are not able to offer discounts at this time. Thank you for supporting small local, minority owned business in times of crisis. I look forward to being able to give back to nonprofit organizations by extending discounts when my books are in a position to do so.  

 

Are you allergic to cats or are you afraid of dogs?

I love and cherish pets and friends of all shapes and sizes! If you let me know ahead of time, I may be able to offer your pet a treat to help them feel more comfortable around me if they are shy or anxious around strangers. That being said, if you have particularly noisy pets, it is worth noting that I get the best tuning results when it is quiet.

 

 

If we haven't answered your question, let us know !