New York Player Piano Service

Service Areas

Servicing the NYC metro area.

Pneumatic (roll) Player Pianos

I am a highly experienced and skilled pneumatic (roll operated) player technician, with more than 30 years’ experience, I have rebuilt more than 100 player systems and done thousands of service calls on this type of piano. I enjoy working and spending time in NYC and don’t mind traveling to my client’s locations. My charges are as or more competitive than all others in this field.

“Niche Services” Versatile Piano Technician

Why I am your best choice for player piano service in NYC and Long Island.

1. I am one of a very small group of true experts who service player pianos in the NYC metro area.

2. My service is very affordable. I explain clearly and up front about what any costs will be. My pricing is usually more competitive than others more locally based or not.

3. I hold myself to very high standards when it comes to honesty.

4. I am very reliable and easy to do business with.

5. I use the highest quality materials available.

My Approach to Player Piano Servicing

Depending on each individual case, player pianos can require a range of approaches from basic service, servicing to where maintenance has differed for many years, various degrees of repairs, partial rebuilding through to complete rebuilding depending upon the situation. At no charge, I can correspond with you by phone or email. I would also be happy to look at your pictures or videos to get a general idea of what level of service is required. For a reasonable fee I can assess the condition of the piano in person, to get the clearest idea of what services would be required.

Basic Service:

Usually includes tuning, maintenance (dust cleaning, lubrication, simple adjustments). Simple repairs included. Usually one to two hours required.

Full Service:

Where previous servicing has differed for many years, a full servicing is usually required. This includes the above and can also include a pitch raise/rough tuning prior to fine tuning, broken note repair, player system component repair, sealing bellows, recovering music pneumatics, major adjustments, and cleaning. Usually more than two hours required.

Upon request, I will let you know my hourly rate as this depends upon location and other factors.

Player Piano Restoration:

I offer many different levels of player piano restoration. I can rebuild various components and install new parts only where they are absolutely needed. I can fully rebuild (or remanufacture) a player piano to where it is the best instrument it can possibly be. I can also take an approach which is somewhere in between the above mentioned two. The quality results and cost difference can vary widely. I am able to explain the pros and cons of each approach in detail. I will work with the instrument owner to help them select options which are ideal for them.

What Does Player Piano Service Cost:

For Service Calls (at your location):	My rate for service calls is $80-$90 per hour. I may also have a minimum charge for service in certain instances. There may also be added expenses such as tolls and parking
Rate for Work in my shop:	$50 per hour. This is for restoration work that exceeds 15 hours. $70 per hour smaller jobs (rebuilding one or a few components.
Material Costs For restorations:	Material costs can vary widely, depending upon the amount or degree of restoration and type of instrument.
Parts Cost and availability:	The good news is that in most instances all necessary parts for restoration are available. Parts needed for a player piano mechanism might include various types of specialized bellows cloth, leather, felt, hoses, tubing, adhesives etc., which usually cost around $350. The above-mentioned costs are the typical costs for restoring the self-playing mechanism or player system.
MParts Costs for Restoring the Piano (“The Inside”):	If most or all the original parts of the piano (such as strings, hammers, key tops etc.) are in very good to excellent condition, then reconditioning instead of new parts replacement are an option. In this instance, there would be very little in material costs. Replacing all strings and tuning pins costs $500, Replacing hammers and other action parts costs $500. Other items may be needed, but the above two are usually the highest costs.
Refinishing, Finish Touch Up, Repairs and Reconditioning Costs:	These costs can vary widely depending upon type and quality of finish chosen. The original finish can be cleaned and “touched up” or French polished. The original finish can also be completely removed (stripped and sanded) and a new finish applied. I offer various qualities of refinishing.

Older Piano Repairs and Restorations:

Old Grand/Upright Regulation & Reconditioning are another specialty of mine. I can often do the work on location if moving or removing parts are not the best options. I have a very large fully equipped workshop and vehicle. I also do complete piano restorations. Action work, broken strings, soundboard and bridge repairs, broken agraffs, keys, ivory repairs/ replacement, restringing, I am skilled at woodworking repairs (case parts etc). I can handle basic finish touch ups & repairs/french polishing, trap work fabrication and much more.

References available upon request

How Does A Player Piano Work ?
Article Scientific American Magazine “How A Player Piano Works”

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