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How does one find a good piano tuner? Are there specific questions to ask?

I have gone on the Piano Technicians Guild website, but all that does is bring up a list of techs that are registered. I know many people in other fields that are Licensed and Certified, etc. that aren't worth much. Let's face it, there are people who are passionate and good at their craft, and then there are those who just go into a field for the money or other reasons, and those are the ones who are NOT good at their craft.

So rather than throwing a dart at the list from the Piano Technicians Guild, how does one choose?

I answered this for you in the piano forum. Check back over there...

I know. I like to get as many opinions as possible, analyze the data, and make an educated decision.

Let me know which area you are in and I'll throw you a few names...
What instrument do you have?

I'd suggest getting referrals from people in your area - Call the local piano professor at the local college and contact a few piano teachers. Google your local chapter of the music teachers association. Some questions to ask a tuner could include:


Do you tune by ear, by machine, or both?
What training have you had?
How long have you been tuning full time?
Are you insured?
Do you do concert tuning?
Have you rebuilt any pianos?

Thanks Bob.

Any thoughts on which is better, to tune by ear or machine or both?

The machine is only as good as the person behind it just like with anything else. So is an ear tuner... The machine can do a fine job but, you also need to be able to tune by ear as well because the machine only tunes one string. The other strings are tuned by ear.

You've been given good advice on both threads now. Take it and go for it.

A tuner who is good will answer, what makes you think I don't listen if I use an ETD to aid in the process?

You don't have to know how to work a temperment sequence when using an ETD. You still run all the checks to make sure the octaves in the middle are stretched properly. Then you let the ETD divide it up. Then you check for evenness or quirks and spend the time to stabilize the pin and wire so it doesn't move.
Usually if there is something out of line, it's because I didn't stabilize the pin and wire.

I guess if I got faster, then I wouldn't around long enough to find out it was slipping. Shhhh, tune soft. Gently put the case parts on. Don't slam the door.......

Statsman, you're over-thinking this. You are obsessing. 'Never a good course!

Try a tuner. If you don't like the work, try another.

Fortunately, it's not brain surgery or rocket science.

Statsman - I'd second the recommendation to get referrals.

School
College
Church
Teachers

You will likely get some conflicting information, but it should be a start. I'd stay away from the ear/electronic question - it really is without merit and won't give you any additional information, even though it brings up strong feelings from most technicians.

As for your question... "good" piano tuner? Hmmm, have you read "Grand Obsession" yet? There is a HUGE range of what a "good" technician means to different piano owners - I bet that you should be able to find a good match for what you hope to find right in your area.

Ron Koval
Chicagoland