Our services

Tuning With 200 strings, each with between 100 to 300 lbs. of tension most pianos have over 30,000 lbs. of tension on the frame of the instrument. To properly tune a piano each of these strings must first be brought to correct tension, then every string must be carefully matched with its neighbors, usually several times before they will hold a steady pitch. Piano strings slowly stretch, throughout their life. Humidity changes swells and shrinks wood, changing tension and pitch, even without use a piano will usually not stay in perfect tune longer than six months. Annual tunings are usually considered a minimum service schedule for most pianos. Instruments that are played hard or have large temperature and humidity changes usually require more frequent tunings. Professional instruments are often tuned monthly, studio instruments may even be tuned daily. Badly neglected pianos may require additional tuning (pitch-raising) to be properly tuned.

Voicing The constant pounding of the strings by the hammers in a piano causes the hammers to harden and lose their original shape. Periodically piano hammers must be reshaped and adjusted for correct tone production. This is done by carefully restoring the original shape of the hammer felt by filing, then softening the felt using needles or hardening with special hardening solutions.

Hammers The hammers of a piano are similar in function to the tires of a car. Like a car’s tires they wear, reducing your piano’s performance. Worn piano hammers can be resurfaced to restore the original shape and texture of the hammer and its original tone, this process is called shaping and is usually done as a part of a complete voicing. Loud, harsh hammers can be brought to a more mellow or “classical” tone and soft hammers can be hardened to produce a brighter or “jazzy” sound. Very worn hammers can be replaced with new hammers, usually during a complete rebuilding.

Cleaning Years of dust and corrosion that can accumulate inside a piano can be cleaned away using special tools, chemicals, hard work and patience. Rust on the strings can be polished to restore the original shine and a rust-inhibiting treatment can inhibit future damage. A thorough cleaning can restore the factory - new gleam to a dull and dusty instrument.

Repairs Even new pianos can develop technical or mechanical problems and require repairs. Modern piano parts are usually made of hard maple, though some inexpensive parts may be constructed out of plastics. Under hard use or accidental abuse wood and plastic parts can break, requiring repairs or replacement. New parts must be carefully matched to the original parts, installed carefully and adjusted to match nearby parts in touch and playing characteristics.

Key Recovering With time and heavy use piano keys become worn, discolored, chipped or otherwise damaged. If the original ivories are in adequate condition they can be cleaned and even lightened. Chips in individual ivories can be repaired with color matched material or ivories from other sets recovered from older instruments can be matched to your instrument’s set. Even entire new sets of ivory can be installed (though this is an expensive and complex process). We can recover your piano keys with attractive modern ivory substitutes using high-quality modern glues. Entire sets of piano keys can even be replaced in valuable pianos.

Regulation With time and use the felts and parts of any piano wear out. Older pianos may even have damage from insect or rodent pests and require new felts or parts. Piano mechanisms are delicate and require careful adjustments to the felts, springs and other parts to perform to their best. There can be over a dozen felts in a single typical grand piano key and as many adjustments that must be made. By setting the parts back to original factory specifications the delicate touch needed for artistic playing can be restored.

Restringing The strings are normally replaced during a complete rebuilding. The tenor or middle and treble (right-hand side) piano strings seldom go bad. The main reason to replace these is if they are rusting or breaking or if the tuning pins are slipping. If they are only slightly rusted they can be cleaned and polished. Replacing the copper-wrapped bass strings is often done when they sound dull and “tubby” or hiss.

Rebuilding This involves replacing the strings, hammers, finish, tuning pin-block and occasionally even the sound board, of an older instrument to restore it to its original condition. A well-rebuilt instrument usually cannot be told from a new one without very careful examination.

Refinishing The finish on the outside of the case of a piano improves its appearance but has little effect on the sound of the instrument. Because a piano contains many expensive and delicate parts that can be destroyed by an inexperienced refinisher you should only use someone with many years of experienced in working with pianos and under the guidance of a good technician. Johnny Cisneros in El Monte seems to be well experienced with pianos and can be reached at (626) 573-9880. Classic Woods of North Hollywood is a very experienced refinishing shop specializing in pianos. and can be reached at (818) 901-1521.

Pest Infestations Many insects or small animals can invade or infest a piano causing mechanical problems. Some pests, such as wood boring or felt eating insects can do considerable damage to a piano. Eradication of most pests is a simple procedure, but some, such as wood beetles, may involve professional extermination, carefully supervised by a competent technician. Hebert Piano Service has one of the few piano extermination experts in the U.S..

Historical Restoration Modern pianos are assembled with a wide variety of finishes, glues and lubricants, while most pre-WWII instruments were assembled with only animal glue and finished with French-polished shellac. Fortunately, these materials have stood the test of time better than most modern materials. In a proper historical restoration only original finishes and glues should be used. This ensures that future restoration can be accurately and properly performed as these older and more reliable materials are easily reversed and are appropriate to the instrument’s original construction.

Antique Instruments Most pianos normally have little antique value unless they are more than perhaps 150 years old. Older instruments usually tend to be as valuable as they are playable unless they have important historical significance. Pianos usually respond to market pricing similarly to cars and gradually deteriorate over time. A piano can be rebuilt, but the expense of a complete rebuilding is often more than the cost of an inexpensive new piano. We normally only recommend rebuilding valuable instruments such as Steinway and perhaps Baldwin, Mason & Hamilton, Chickering or Knabe grand pianos. Personal or sentimental value may be a very important consideration when considering rebuilding. Some instruments may be valuable because of their rarity, extensive carving, decorated case or period design. A truly valuable and rare antique should never be refinished and restoration or conservation should only be done by qualified restoring specialists, never by furniture refinishers!

Square grand pianos, English uprights, Viennese grands, piano-fortes and harpsichords should only be serviced by a piano technician that has extensive experience with these styles of pianos and can respect their historical and musical value. Refinishing should be carefully considered to respect the historical value of the instrument.

Harpsichord Repair and Regulation Harpsichord strings are often not made from normal music wire, many harpsichords are strung with several types of iron and brass wire. The plectrums of a harpsichord must be individually voiced and regulated to deliver proper touch and sound.

Obsolete Parts Reproduction Many older pianos have parts that are no longer available. Obsolete parts can be reproduced to the original specifications of your instrument giving new life to a historical piece.

Pump Organs Made mostly before 1900 these were one of the primary sources of music in many homes of the United States for a century. With new bellows , repairs and cleaning most pump organs can be restored to playable condition. Respect for traditional materials and methods is important in preserving the antique value of your instrument. It is important that a restorer observe proper and traditional techniques in all work or permanent damage and serious reductuion in value may occur.

Buying or Selling an Instrument We have a number of piano dealers and contacts and can provide you with referrals for home or professional use. Pianos can be placed on consignment for sale or advertised in a variety of publications. We may even have an immediate buyer for your instrument or a customer looking for a new home for an old cherished one. We work with only a very few dealers, but we can provide you with accurate and economical referrals for help in purchasing or selling your instrument.

Piano Rentals Contact us about our available rental pianos or for referrals to piano rental companies in your area.

Violin Repairs We have recently introduced violin-family repairs and bow re-hairing to our available services. Our shop is equipped to do major and minor repairs, restoration, sound adjustments and bridge repairs and installation. Violin, cello and bass bows can be repaired, adjusted and the hair replaced with high-quality imported horsehair.

Teachers We have an extensive list of teachers and schools available. If you know of other instructors please let us know and we will be happy to put them on our list. Teacher List

Piano Movers Because piano moving companies change regions, size and employees quickly we do not usually refer specific companies. We recommend that you search your local Yellow Pages and ask about prices and services. Most companies that are advertised and have been in business for at least several years are probably competent or they would have been driven from business.

Musicians From many years of work in the music industry we have accumulated an extensive list of contacts with musicians and other music services. If we can help please let us know!

Hebert Piano Service

For additional information please contact us.

(626) 795-5170

brhebert@verizon.net

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