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melanie
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| Posted: Jan 16 2010 at 1:16pm | IP Logged
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I hope this is the right place to put this question!
We acquired a free piano several months ago. It hasn't be tuned yet because I've been trying to get my living room repainted/pull up carpeting/etc., so I didn't see much point in tuning it until then. Anyway, I'm going to do all that this month and hope to get the piano tuned soon after. Can anyone give me any input on how much to expect to pay for this? Will it be more the first time? It is a 100year old piano, it could use some refinishing to make it look better, but as far as my very uneducated self can tell the keys all seem to work well enough. I'm hoping we don't find out there's more damage than we think. We didn't pay anything for it, we didn't pay anything to move it, so we wouldn't be out much, but if we have to get rid of it...that could be hard to do! Oh, and also, what can I do to make it easier to move this thing? We had half a dozen people help us move it here, and it almost killed us all. It weighs a TON. How can I move around this to paint and such? Is there something I can put under the piano to make it roll a little or something?
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Melanie
homeschooling Maria (13yo), Kain (10yo), Jack (5yo), Tess (2yo), and our newest blessing, Henry Robert, born 4/23!
slightlycrunchycatholic.blogspot.com
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Tami
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| Posted: Jan 16 2010 at 1:23pm | IP Logged
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Melanie, if the piano hasn't been tuned in a long time, expect to need multiple tunings.
Price will vary by region, usually $100-$150. Sometimes the extra tunings can be less money, depending on how the tuner runs his business. Repairs, if needed, will be extra.
Hopefully the tuner will have tech experience (most usually do). If the plate is cracked, it can't be tuned - or rather shouldn't be, much too dangerous for the tuner to attempt. If the pin block is cracked or dried out, it won't hold a tune, so it's probably not worth tuning.
A piano dolly will help make moving it easier. But you will still need the manpower to get it to it's ultimate spot.
Have fun!
ETA: changes in bold. I should have talked to dh before I replied. Sorry. 
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Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Jan 16 2010 at 3:41pm | IP Logged
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Some tuners will charge even if the piano can't be tuned (and they should be paid for their time...they have to come to you...). Ask about this.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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stellamaris
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| Posted: Jan 16 2010 at 7:30pm | IP Logged
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Also, generally to keep a piano in tune, you need to have it tuned every 6 months or so. We pay $90 here, and have ours tuned twice a year. If it is very old and can not be tuned, you might consider selling the ivory off the keys before you junk it-it is hard to get replacement ivory keys for older pianos these days (I know, I have my grandmother's Steinway and some of the keys need replacing).
I hope you can get it tuned and enjoy it. My piano has been such a wonderful delight for myself and my children who play! 
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Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 16 2010 at 8:28pm | IP Logged
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The sound board is a key component...and if that is cracked or dried out, like Tami said, it won't be worth saving.
Caroline, you can sometimes buy replacement ivory keys on Ebay.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Anastasia
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| Posted: Jan 20 2010 at 10:07am | IP Logged
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Ask around for a piano technician- they do tunings, but can fix string problems, hammer replacement, key problems, etc. The consultation will give you an overview of what's wrong, and how often the piano will need to be tuned; sometimes the free piano's are a great deal, sometimes nothing can be done. But if the soundboard is really cracked, you'll have noticed it in the sound already. Expect to pay about $125 average for a tuning/checkup; my husband works on pianos, and this is what he charges.
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Elena
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| Posted: Jan 20 2010 at 7:09pm | IP Logged
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Incidentally, I want to mention that piano technician/tuner might be a good occupation for some of our more "hands-on" type of students!  Something I am steering one of my own sons towards!
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Elena
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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 20 2010 at 7:51pm | IP Logged
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Elena wrote:
| Incidentally, I want to mention that piano technician/tuner might be a good occupation for some of our more "hands-on" type of students! Something I am steering one of my own sons towards! |
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I was always interested in this. I remember talking to one piano tuner when he came to my house and he discouraged me saying "it's a man's job". That really discouraged me. Fast forward to today and talked to piano technicians today and they said lots of women do this.
I'm not trying to sound like a feminist, but I often thought this sure would be a nice skill to have to save the family lots of money...or as a piano teacher or choir director I could tune my own piano.
I think it's gratifying work.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: piano tuning/maintenance questions
