How long does a piano tuning take?

A standard tuning takes around 90 minutes. Catch-up and vintage services can take longer because they need extra care and, often, a pitch raise before fine tuning.

Do you service older pianos?

Yes — vintage pianos (pre-1970) are a specialty. Please note we do not service the older Beale and player pianos.

What areas do you cover?

All of Sydney, Wollongong, the Illawarra, the Southern Highlands, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains.

How do I pay for piano tuning?

Jema Pianos accepts cash and card. A receipt is emailed at the end of the appointment. If a discount has been applied, cash is preferred — it helps keep prices low by avoiding card and banking fees.

Repairs

Piano strings

Q: How often should my piano be tuned?

Most manufacturers recommend tuning at least once a year. Regular maintenance protects your instrument and keeps it a joy to play. If yours hasn't been touched in 3+ years, our Catch-up Tuning is the right starting point.

Matthew Logan·15 March 2023·1 min read

Did you know that pianos have over 200 strings! If you look inside of your piano, the middle and treble section of your piano has steel strings. The left side has steel strings wrapped in copper, these are called bass strings. Piano strings are under enormous tension, and place over 15,000kgs of tension on the frame!

I have seen some pianos with strings that are over 100 years old!

Inside an older Beale upright, showing the string layout

While piano strings can last a very long time, nothing lasts forever and, the older the piano is, the greater the risk of a string breaking. In some cases, some pianos may have rust or corrosion on the string, which can weaken it. Replacing strings is just part of maintaining an instrument.

Ultimately, if a string is going to break it is going to break!

We carry and stock spare steel strings to suit all pianos. Bass strings are different from piano to piano, and as such are custom made to order. Bass strings are made locally in Sydney by Australia's only bass string manufacturer.

A bass string on the winding machine at the Sydney string factory — A bass string on the machine, just after being made at Parke Piano string factory in Sydney.

Here is a photo of a bass string on the machine, just after being manufactured. This string was made by Parke Piano string factory in Sydney.

If your piano has issues, or you know it has broken strings, get in touch. We carry spare steel strings, and for bass strings we can have the string made and fit it for you.

Keep reading

RepairsA keytop came off the piano keys — what do I do?MaintenanceHow often should my piano be tuned?

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