BARKLAGE PIANO
Tuning and Repairs

Serving Springfield and surrounding areas since 1996

ABOUT KIM BARKLAGE / SERVICES OFFERED

I do everything from minor repairs to complete rebuilding. For refinishing, I can recommend a few good refinishers.

For moving, I can provide a list of professional piano movers.

Services Offered

  • Tuning - My standard tuning fee is $125. Please contact me for an estimate of other services offered.
  • Cleaning
  • Key recovering
  • Re-stringing
  • Hammer replacement
  • Pedal regulation
  • Action regulation
  • Fixing sticky keys
  • Certified Dampp Chaser Piano Life Saver System Installer

Experience

  • Missouri State University
  • Springfield Public Schools
  • Ozark High School
  • Nixa High School
  • Dozens of local churches
  • Thousands of private customers

Celebrity Tunings

  • BB King
  • Three Dog Night
  • Credence Clear Water Revival
  • The 5th Dimension
  • The Five Browns
  • Lou Rawls
  • Arlo Guthrie
  • Doc Sevrenson
  • Springfield Symphony
  • Kansas City Symphony
  • Chris Bottie
  • U.S. Army Republic of Panama

MAINTAINING YOUR PIANO

Pianos require at least an annual tuning and occasional cleaning and regulation. The more a piano is played, the sooner it will require routine regulation, repairs, and parts replacement. If your hammers have deep grooves from striking strings over a period of years, the hammers will need to be reshaped to restore tone. Older pianos often need re-stringing, hammer replacements, and worn felt replacement. Chipped and broken keys may also need to be replaced.

Pianos have thousands of moving parts that can go bad for various reasons. It's better to stay on top of the maintenance on a yearly basis, which can help reduce the number of problems down the road.

PIANOS FOR SALE

I currently don't have any pianos for sale, but check back later!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Why does my piano go out of tune?

A: A major cause for pianos going out of tune is the effect humidity plays on the wood in the piano. Periods of high humidity push the piano sharp, and periods of low humidity push the piano flat. Excessive pounding on the keys will throw the piano out of tune. Moving a piano from one climate to another will throw it out of tune.

Q: How often should my piano be tuned?

A: Piano manufacturers recommend four times a year for the first few years of a new piano, and twice a year afterwards. Performance pianos should be tuned before every performance.

Q: Why did my keys start sticking?

A: Keys can stick for various reasons. The following are just a few causes of sticky keys: Excessive humidity, broken action parts, pens and pencils in the action, and mice nesting in the piano.

Q: What's my old upright worth?

A: Generally, old uprights are not worth much. Old pianos usually have very worn parts that need a lot of repairs or replacement.

Q: Is it a good idea to buy a piano from Craigslist?

A: This issue varies. You should have the piano inspected by a piano technician prior to buying. Some good deals can be had, as well as bad.

Q: How can I prevent excessive humidity swings from affecting my piano?

A: You can have a humidity control system by dampp chaser installed in your piano. This system contains both a humidifier and de-humidifier controlled by a humidistat that keeps the piano regulated at 45% humidity. These systems help tunings last longer. I am a certified dampp chaser installer.

Q: I'm having my piano moved from one move to another in my house. Will my piano need to be re-tuned?

A: No.

CONTACT

Springfield, MO

Phone: 417-894-7414

Email: Kim@BarklagePiano.com