All the information needed for restoring and maintaining pianos is contained in this clearly written volume. Arthur A. Reblitz provides the ultimate reference book and instruction manual for both the professional and the amateur. Professional piano technicians rely on Piano Servicing in their daily work, yet its instructions and the hundreds of clear drawings and photographs are so easily understood that any person handy with tools can quickly grasp the fundamentals of piano servicing and rebuilding work. At least twenty-five schools where piano servicing is taught use this as a text. Having sold more than 45,000 copies of the first edition, Vestal Press in pleased to have played a role in helping technicians and hobbyists rebuild, maintain, and tune untold numbers of pianos and is especially proud of the book's endorsement by the House of Steinway. This greatly enhanced and enlarged second edition has new material to benefit owners of the earlier edition.

Table of Contents:
Chapter One — Introduction to the Piano: Styles, Shapes, and Sizes Antique Pianos Victorian Pianos Twentieth-Century Pianos and Beyond Player Pianos Contemporary Trends Electronic Pianos Chapter Two — Inside Information: The Names of the Parts and How They Work Major Parts Cushioning Materials in Pianos The Soundboard and Bridges The Pinblock The Plate Downbearing The Tuning Pins The Strings Stringing Arrangements The Keybed and Keyframe The Keys The Keytops The Hammers Traditional Wooden Action Parts vs. Composite Parts The Vertical Action How the Upright Action Works The Dampers Upright Action Variations The Console Action The Drop Action Vertical Piano Pedals The Grand Action How the Grand Action Works The Grand Hammer Rest or Rail Grand Pedals Grand Action Variations The Square Piano How the Square Piano Action Works Chapter Three — Evaluating an Old Piano: Is It Worth Buying or Repairing? Selecting a Type and Size Recognizing Quality The Importance of Age Gray Market Pianos Evaluating the Condition Player Pianos and Empty Player Pianos Mirror Pianos Where to Find a Used Piano Myths Versus Reality Summary Chapter Four — Cleaning and Minor Repairs: Fixing Worn and Broken Parts Safety First! Basics of Tools and Woodworking Glue Joints Types of Glue Used in Piano Repair Lubricants Used in Pianos Modern Lubricants Traditional Lubricants Repairing Loose Screw Holes Removing Broken Screws Cleaning a Piano Opening the Vertical Cabinet Removing the Vertical Action and Keys Opening the Grand Cabinet Removing the Grand Action Removing Dirt and Debris Cleaning the Action Cleaning the Keys Reinstalling the Keys and Action Evaluating the Condition The Wooden Frame The Plate The Pinblock and Tuning Pins The Soundboard The Bridges The Strings The Keyframe The Keys The Action Action Rails Flanges The Wippen Assembly The Hammer Assembly The Damper Assembly Sluggish Action Parts Clicks, Buzzes, Rattles, and Other Foreign Noises Squeaks of All Sorts The Pedals The Cabinet Taking Care of a Piano Protecting a Piano from Environmental Changes Controlling Insect Damage Chapter Five — Regulating: Adjusting the Action, Keyboard, and Pedals to Work as They Should Basic Regulating Concepts Deciding What to do with Worn Hammers Regulating Tools Preparation for Action Regulating Vertical Action Regulating Vertical Regulating Checklist for Quick Reference Vertical Action Regulating Details Special Procedures for Spinet Pianos Partial Vertical Regulating Preparation for Grand Action Regulating The Grand Regulating Bench Grand Action Regulating Grand Regulating Checklist for Quick Reference Grand Regulating Details Grand Piano Touchweight Square Piano Action Regulating Action Regulation Problems: Their Symptoms and Cures Checklist of Common Action Problems for Quick reference Introduction to Tone Regulating Preparation for Hammer Voicing Hammer Voicing Making Hammers More Brilliant Chapter Six — Tuning Theory and Terminology Musical Tone Versus Noise The Vibration of Wire Simultaneously Vibrating Wires Musical Terminology Piano Note Numbers Standard Tuning Pitch What Pitches Form the Musical Scale? The Pythagorean Comma The Temperament Octave Cents Review Temperament Tuning Theory Theory Versus Reality Chapter Seven — Tuning Procedure Overview: What Does “Tuning a Piano” Involve? Aural and Muscular Coordination Why Does a Piano Go Out of Tune? Tools Using the Tuning Lever Tuning Exercises Tuning the Temperament The Potter F to A Temperament The Up a Third, Up a Third, Down a Fifth Equal Temperament Finishing the Midrange from C3 through B4 Finishing the Treble Finishing the Bass Hints for Using Mutes Final Tuning Tests The Pure-12th Equal Temperament Non-Equal Temperaments The Equal Beating Victorian Temperament (EBVT) Raising the Pitch Lowering the Pitch Electronic Tuning Devices Tuning Problems Tuning the Back Duplex Scale Tuning a Mason & Hamlin Screw-stringer Piano Tuning Two Pianos Together Tuning a Piano to an Organ Tuning a Piano in a Concert Venue Tuning Victorian Pianos Improving Your Tuning Skills Chapter Eight — Complete Restoration: Rebuilding a Piano in the Shop to Perform and Look Like New Practical Considerations Ordering Parts and Materials Restoration Cosmetics Preparation Disassembling the Piano Rebuilding the Cabinet and Frame The Soundboard and Bridges The Pinblock Refinishing the Cabinet The Plate Completing the Pinblock Restringing The Keyframe The Keys Replacing a Set of White Keytops The Sharps The Action Rebuilding the Vertical Action Rebuilding the Grand Action Finishing Touches Appendices One: Supplies, Parts, Training, and Other Resources Two: Drill Size Chart Three: Ivory Regulations Four: Baldwin Grand Plate Suspension and Acu-Just Hitch Pins