Bechstein Concert Grand
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Ray Citak, University of Wyoming piano technician, tuning a
Bosendorfer concert grand.
If you own a piano, consider that your piano may be one of the
single most valuable items you own. Keeping your instrument in top
shape requires the skill of a piano technician. Your technician is
not only an experienced tuner, but also a skilled professional able
to regulate, repair, voice, or rebuild.
I created this website as a resource for
piano owners that they might find information about their pianos,
ask questions about pianos, and learn a bit more about how pianos
are serviced. If you have a piano related question you would
like me to try to answer, click on the Ask link and fill out the
form. I will try to get an email back to you as soon as I can.
Please, however, do not ask me to assess the value of or to date your
piano. These services are usually available through your local
piano dealer.
Most of the linked pages on the site are in question and answer
format. The questions address piano related issues of general
interest.
A
Visit to New York
On September 27th, 2006 I had the
privilege of traveling to New York city to the Steinway
factory. I was accompanied by three faculty pianists from the
University of Wyoming hosted by Mark Dunkley and his wife from
Dunkley Music in Boise, Idaho to select a new concert grand for the
music department.
What a remarkable experience it was.
After a brief tour of the factory, we
selected an exceptional model D, as well as a model B for a private
customer. Each and every piano was beautiful, and wonderfully
prepared by technicians Dirk Dickten and Terry Walsh. Many
thanks to these hard working guys that have a rigorous schedule of
selections to prepare for every week. I came away from the
experience impressed in several ways.
First of all, that Steinway is a
remarkable company dedicated to producing absolutely wonderful
pianos. Forget any negatives you may have heard such as "old
Steinways are better that new ones" or, "you are just paying for the
name". Not true. You have only to see, hear and play for
yourself. Secondly, the factory program of old Steinway piano
restorations is unequalled. There were several old restored
pianos in Steinway Hall that were astounding. What a treat to
sample some of these instruments that were from 1891, 1898, 1921,
1934, and 1947. You could not tell these pianos from the new
ones. And lastly, I was impressed with the people. These
were genuinely helpful, friendly, and skilled professionals
dedicated to working for a quality company. If you ever get a
chance, make it a point to visit there and see for yourself.