South Bay, Velopresto/ Dave Stahl is on this list, In San Leandro, Randy Dinwiddie, She also sells pianos 510 333 6440. I'll be in Hayward off and on for the next month. Email me through the list.
I figure an evaluation is a two hour minimum charge. Sometimes you sit down at piano and think oh my god, this is horrible. However I'm paid to find any redeeming qualities so apart comes the piano. Then the top of the batting order strikes out, Soundboard, bridge, strings, and pinblock. I usually tell the client I recommend not buying the piano. If you are buying the piano because of some 'collector" value or the piano is in good shape then out comes the two page check list and you will know how deep any repair, maintenence or restoration work is likely go. In my estimation of course. That takes an hour or two more. For me the detective work is in determining whether problems are due to wear or neglect or sometimes a particularly lousy tuner has done some work that wasn't right.
kpiano
