Strings – Strings can last well over a hundred years if they are not subjected to a salty environment (such as near the ocean), or (moisture such as in basements or garages). Bass strings sometimes go dead, or start rattling and need to be replaced. Whenever strings are replaced, whether it is one string or all of them, it can take as much as a year before the strings will hold a "tune". If strings become rusty and start breaking, it is recommended that you go ahead and replace all of them. It will be more cost effective and in a few months the piano will hold a "tune" again. Because it takes months for the new string to hold a "tune", if you replace a string every now and then, you will always have "sour notes" on your piano.

Pin Blocks – A "pin block" is a piece of layered wood that the "tuning pins" fit into tightly. The layers are about 1/8^th of an inch thick, and the grain alternates to insure that the pins remain tight for many years. If a pin becomes loose, you can replace it with a larger one. Pins come in six sizes. On occasion, pin blocks can crack. If this occurs, even the largest pin size will not fit tightly so the pin block must be replaced. This can be incredibly expensive. Some pianos are simply not worth that kind of expenditure.

Bridges, Pressure Bars, and Agraffes - Piano strings are secured to a "bridge" at one end, and either to an Agraffe or a pressure bar at the other end. This spaces the strings properly and creates equal string length in "unisons". Bridges are secured to the sound board. They are made of hardwood with steel pins on which the strings are secured. Sometimes the pins can work loose or the bridge can become dislodged from the sound board. Also, the bridge can crack or split. These problems can cause "buzzing" or "rattling" when the piano is played. Some bridge repairs can be made while the bridge is in the piano. However, if the bridge must be removed or replaced, you must first remove all of the strings. This can become very expensive. Problems with pressure bars and Agraffe are very rare. On occasion, strings must be leveled at the bridge and the Agraffe or pressure bar in order to insure the hammer strikes them evenly.  

Sound Boards – A sound board is a thin board that runs parallel to the strings. It covers most of the size of the piano. It is only supported on the edges. Sound boards are thin and made from very sappy and resin-filled hardwoods. They are "crowned" (thicker in the middle than on the edge). This board acts much like the body of acoustic guitar amplifying the sound of the vibrating strings. Maintenance of a sound board requires only that it not be subjected to extreme conditions, such as temperature and humidity fluctuations. Even under the best conditions, the sound board can develop hair-line cracks. These usually never cause any problems, but large cracks that go all the way through the board may create a buzzing or rattling sound when the board vibrates. This may only happen on certain notes or chords. If this occurs, cracks can be repaired. However it can take away from the tone quality of the piano. Replacing the sound board can be exceptionally expensive. Replacement requires that all tension be removed from strings and the plate must be removed, which is the same procedure used when replacing pin blocks. When such extensive rebuilding is done, you should consider replacing not just the sound board but also the pin block, strings and tuning pins as well. The result is virtually a new piano. However, only a few older pianos are worth undertaking this extensive and expensive rebuilding job.

Humidity Control Systems – Humidity affects many aspects of a piano. Excessive dampness can cause keys to stick, actions to become sluggish and heavy, and strings and pins to rust. Excessive dryness can cause sound boards, pin blocks, and bridges to crack. Also, wooden parts in actions can become brittle and break more often. Fluctuations between damp and dry conditions can seriously affect the tuning as well. Dampchaser Humidity Control Devices can help to regulate humidity levels in a piano. Dehumidifiers are tubes that extend across the piano, inside. They have a low wattage heating element that distributes dry heat evenly throughout the piano, eliminating dampness. The humidifier consists of a reservoir filled with water and a submersible element. When the climate heats the water, it creates dampness in the piano. Whether used individually or together, the humidifier and dehumidifier are regulated by a humidistat. At Conder's Piano Service, we have been certified to install Dampchaser systems since 1978.

Regulation

Regulating a piano improves the "touch" of the keys and brings consistency to the volume from note to note. There are four main adjustments that can be made to accomplish this.

1. "Lost motion" is movement in the key that does not result in movement in the hammer. The "keystroke" (3/8 inch) converts into the hammer stroke (as much as 2 ½ inches). As little as 1/16^th inch of lost motion in the key can reduce the hammer stroke by ½ inch, thereby reducing the power of the hammer stroke from 20 to 50 percent. Adjustments are made at the back of the key.
2. "Let off" determines when the jack (which pushes the hammer into the string) disengages the hammer, allowing the hammer to fall back away from the string, so the string can freely move to resonate. This adjustment is made at the bottom of the jack.
3. "Back checks" catch the hammer as it falls back from the string, keeping it from bouncing back into the string. If the hammer bounces it can cause a double or triple strike on the string with one press of the key. Backchecks are on wires and are bent precisely into position.
4. "Repetition levers" (Grand pianos only) When a key is depressed and held, the repetition lever must lower the jack to a position under the hammer so that the note may be played again without the key going back to its original position first. This adjustment is made behind the jack.

When all aspects of the action are in proper adjustment, each key should feel exactly the same: the same resistance, the same speed of return, and the same power produced at the point of contact with the string. It is very time consuming to regulate a piano properly. Subtle changes make a great deal of difference in the "touch" of the piano.