Mark Stivers Piano Tuning and Repair

Don’t leave the window open!

mstivers1201 — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:50:48 +0000

Many piano owners know the old saw about not putting your piano on an outside wall. That applies to an old house where the walls are drafty — humidity changes could affect the piano and put it out of tune, or cause the wool bushings to swell and create sticking keys. In modern homes, the insulation is good enough that you can put the piano anywhere. But don’t leave a window open near the piano, or you’ll be creating the same problem.

Piano lessons

mstivers1201 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:35:28 +0000

People often ask me to recommend a teacher. You can see my teacher list by clicking on the link to the right. If you an adult beginner, consider group lessons at a community college. All the colleges have excellent piano labs. It’s a great low-cost way to get your feet wet.

Here is the link to Los Rios Community College District:
http://www.losrios.edu/

Action reconditioning

mstivers1201 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:05:03 +0000

If you have a grand piano, you expect the finest response and dynamics. I can help you recapture your piano’s original performance with an action reconditioning. This includes rebushing the keys, filing and voicing the hammers, tightening the action screws, and touching up the regulation. On most pianos I can do this for $400. (This is not a tuning! A regular tuning costs $90.) If you’re interested, call me at 916-215-9921.

The stage of the Woodland Opera House

mstivers1201 — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:20:24 +0000

In the dorm

mstivers1201 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:13:19 +0000

I was working on this piano action in a student lounge at UC Davis.

Society piano

mstivers1201 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:19:02 +0000

This piano used to belong to my customer’s aunt, who was a New York socialite. Leonard Bernstein gave it to her. It is a spinet, but the case makes it look like a tiny grand, even down to having three legs instead of four. It’s a one-of-a-kind piano, with design touches I’ve never seen anywhere else.

Gift certificates

mstivers1201 — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:27:01 +0000

Did you ever consider giving a piano tuning as a gift? I can print a lovely certificate with your recipient’s name on it. To order yours, call me at 916-215-9921.