Before you submit a question, maybe you would like to check-out the “Piano Questions” section of this website.
Please feel free to ask whatever you like below.
(Note: this is not for piano technicians or people wanting to learn the piano tuning business but rather a place for customers and ~ or potential customers to ask questions about piano care or service related issues.)
I wanted to tell you that your Web site is very well designed. It is easy to find all of the pertinent information such as hours available, cost of tuning, testimonials, and it is especially easy to schedule an appointment. Thanks for making it so easy!
Chuck has done a great job keeping our aging pianos in the best possible shape. His sensitivity to tone and touch make it a pleasure to sit at the piano following his work. He always keeps you well informed on the status of your instrument and includes prevention as part...
Chuck was very professional and pleasant to work with. Not only did he tune our piano to the point that it sounded precise and delightful, but he also noted some maintenance issues that concerned him. For no extra charge, he provided consultation and advice on what we should do to...
Chuck knows his business and does an excellent job of bringing our piano to a perfect pitch. I truly enjoy sitting at the piano after he has tuned it---what a difference he makes. I do not remember when he first tuned our piano but it has been many years. ...
My piano has never sounded so good. I can hardly keep my hands off of it. It is amazing. Thanks so much.
Chuck has been tuning my piano since I brought it into my home. He has always been reliable, professional, thoughtful and pleasant. Of importance to me is the care he takes as he goes through the process of tuning. The piano sounds wonderful thanks to his attentiveness. In addition, he...
Chuck has been caring for my piano for over a decade. He has tuned it regularly, and has always done a wonderful job. Chuck is also very good at fixing mechanical problems that occur - irregular voicing on a few hammers, occasional double-striking, a new annoying string noise...
When I purchased my first grand piano over 14 years ago, Chuck was the piano tech that was 'assigned' to me for my first tuning. He's been my tech ever since, and tunes and voices my new Baldwin grand to exactly how I want it to sound. He's quite the...
Chuck has come to our house regularly for over 20 years to tune our Yamaha grand. He has always done an excellent job, and our piano sounds as good today as it did the day we got it. We greatly appreciate Chuck's dedication and professionalism.
Chuck has tuned my old Baldwin Acrosonic for the past several years. He is professional, friendly and very knowledgeable and keeps my old piano sounding great. I especially like the pre-appointments and reminder cards. Nice touch!
Chuck has tuned my Kawai for over 10 years. I have been very please with Chuck's service and the performance of my piano. I have six friends who now call on Chuck for piano tuning.
Chuck has been tuning and voicing my grand piano for 20 years. I consider him a friend and a competent technician. I've taught piano for many years and appreciate a piano that is in tune, well voiced, and in good repair.
Chuck is the first technician to understand what we need in the way of voicing and functionality. Chuck regulated the key dip and action, voiced the strings and hammers, tuned, and cleaned my Petrof 5'8''. Talk about the WOW effect. We have found a permanent tuner...
We have always appreciated Chuck Littau's professional and responsible work on the pianos at Blue Ridge Blvd. United Methodist Church. His thoroughness and excellent knowledge keep our instruments, including a Baldwin grand piano, in tip top shape! I would recommend him highly for piano tuning and maintenance, as well as...
Chuck Littau has "nursed" my Steinway "B" ever since I acquired it two decades ago. Due to his expertise and sensitivity, it sounds as good or better than it did then. I have never hesitated to recommend him to friends, both professional and non-professional and I have yet to...
I live outside Kansas City and need a piano tuner, there is a college nearby, but I have heard some questionable things about their technician. Are college piano tuners generally a good source for help?
Wading In Dangerous Waters
Wow! What a question to start things off.
I am somewhat uncomfortable critiquing another technician, but I guess there is no way to avoid it and still answer your question.
So let me point out a couple things:
In other words, working for a college is not necessarily an indicator of a skilled technician. If you were a piano technician of high quality, would you want to work for an institution where you are asked to work harder than normal and yet paid less?
The best money in this business is not with colleges or even for concerts, but your best opportunity for real money is working for Mrs, Smith and Mrs. Jones — that is where the real money is and the most pleasurable working environment.
How much do you charge?
See “Piano Tuning Cost / Price“
I am considering purchasing an acoustic piano and am wondering if you have a preference in piano manufacture(s).
(i.e. Steinway, Baldwin, B
See “Which Piano Brand Is Best?“
I have an antique upright piano that has many broken strings. Can you replace just the individual broken strings, or do you have to replace all of them?
Gina,
I can replace the individual strings. Bass strings with windings on them have to be duplicated by sending in the old broken strings and having them specially made. Stings in the mid and top sections without windings can be replace the day I come. However, your description of the piano leads me to believe it is not worth the cost, but of course I cannot say that for sure without seeing the piano.
We have a Yamaha CLP 250 electronic piano that has two keys that stick. Do you work on electronic piano’s or know of someone who does?
Thank you.
Sorry, I only work on acoustic pianos. You might try the piano stores and ask who they use.
I just purchase a Yamaha c3 grand. It does not sound the same at home as when I played it in the store – it sounds very dull and lacks tone clarity and dynamics. what can I do?
I would have to see the piano for an accurate assessment, but my first impression is that it needs a good voicing.
How much do you charge for tuning a small upright Wurlitzer? Pete Eye lived close to me for years and tuned my piano every year. It’s been 2 years now since he’s been here, due to poor health. The piano was moved recently because of renovation and is now back in place.
Susan my tuning fees can be found on the "Piano Tuning Fee" page/article.
Thank you, Chuck.
Chuck,
We are in the market for a bargain used piano for our family. Do you have any recommendations of who to purchase from? The piano we currently have was handed down from my wife’s aunt who taught lessons on it. We have been told it is quite old but needed the “guts” completely replaced (a couple thousand dollars.Ouch!) I want to make this a surprise purchase for my wife but I don’t want to be the one who gets a surprise after we have someone come and tune it. Any suggestions of what to be looking for or at when purchasing a used piano?
Hi Rodney,
If you live in the area, it would be best for you to call me and talk about this over the phone.