FAQ
The Piano Gal Shop FAQ
Do you have a general question about lessons, pianos, piano tuning/repair, donations, etc? We’ve compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions to help guide you and hopefully answer your questions! If you don’t see your question here, please email thepianogalshop@yahoo.com.
- To inquire about piano tuning rates and to book an appointment, please go to the Piano Tuning & Repair page.
1. Do you take piano donations? It depends. If I am looking for a project, I do periodically accept donations. The best thing to do is to email thepianogalshop@yahoo.com to inquire. Include as much information as you can: age, brand, last tuning, where it’s currently located, and photos of both the inside and outside.
2. Do you repair organs? No, we do not service organs and we do not take donations of organs. Unfortunately, organs have become obsolete to the point that it is very difficult to find anyone to service them and there, sadly, isn’t a market for resale for them. They are also built and serviced differently from pianos and they are not in our wheelhouse of expertise.
3. I’m not sure what tuning service to book? Always air on the assumption of it needing more, not less. If it’s been over a few years since last serviced, assume it needs a pitch raise. If it’s been over 5 years, assume it needs a pitch raise plus. If, at the time of the appointment, the piano has not fallen that significantly in pitch, you will not be charged for the more extensive service.
4. How often does a piano need to be tuned and why? Pianos need to be tuned/serviced AT LEAST once per year and sometimes twice per year. For a throrough explanation on the why, please check out this BLOG POST about the topic.
5. I have a really old piano that I want to get rid of. Will you take it? How do I get rid of it? As sad as it is to hear, pianos have a shelf life and they don’t last forever. Some pianos can be restored, but it is very expensive and many run of the mill pianos are not worth that cost. They don’t necessaily have equity in them, like a home. So, what do you do with one that you want to get rid of, but it’s not in working order any longer? Check out this BLOG POST about your options. If you are local and need to have an old piano disposed of, please reach out to Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin for haul away.
6. I’d like to sell my piano, can you help? I no longer have a showroom, so I don’t resell pianos. However, I do assist in the appraisal process and will help in marketing your piano on my website, and socials. I take an appraisal and “marketing” fee for this service. The piano must meet a certain age, condition, and quality criteria for this service. Please email thepianogalshop@yahoo.com if you are interested in this service.
7. I’m looking to purchase a used piano, can you help? Yes, I can be hired to help search, vet, and find a good quality used piano by making the searching process a little less overwhelming. You would provide a piano budget and style parameters and I would find pianos and inspect them for you in order to help you find the right piano. Rates for this service vary depending on what you’re looking for and how many pianos I need to go out to see. Please email with inquiries.
8. Can you paint my piano and update it? Yes, I do in home piano painting, as well as having your piano brought to my workshop, depending on where the piano is located.