David M. Butler - Member, The Piano Technicians Guild
Piano Tuning
As with our other service plan options, your piano will be tuned to concert pitch. There are no additional fees for pitch adjustments.
Most minor repairs, like sticking keys and pedal adjustments, are also included. However, the cost for any problems deemed as more than minor will be determined on a case-by-case basis. ~ $185.
Our Gold Service Plan offers the same level of service as our Silver Plan but includes two additional hours of work. This ensures that your instrument will receive excellent care. I will clean the action and make various adjustments to the key action to make it more responsive to your touch. ~ $370.
We recommend the Platinum Service appointment for the absolute best care for your instrument. This is a 6-hour appointment. I’ll concentrate on not only making the touch of action clean and responsive but also adjust the tone to make it clean and even. The idea is to make your piano the best it can be given the general condition of the piano. ~ $555.
David's father has serviced pianos in the D.C. metro area for over five decades. Along with his uncle and brother, David has represented Steinway & Sons by providing home service for their new and used pianos and prepared pianos for some of the major performance venues in Maryland and Washington D.C.
His experience includes the tuning and service of pianos found in one of the local ‘All-Steinway’ colleges. All-Steinway schools demonstrate a commitment to excellence by providing their students and faculties with the best equipment and service possible for the study of music. David is very grateful to Steinway Gallery here in Washington D.C., for making it possible for him and his brother to receive special training at the Steinway factory in New York.
In addition to providing home service for most makes and models of pianos, David serves as the sole technician for Arlington County, Calvert County, and St. Mary's County Public Schools, as well as many piano teachers in the area.
As a member of the Piano Technicians Guild, he attends local chapter meetings and regional and national conventions. The Piano Technicians Guild is the only organization in the Americas that offers tests and certifies their members as having met the standards for professional piano technicians.
As you probably can see, servicing pianos is not a part-time job for David. Along with his father, uncle, and brother, he takes pride in continuing the family tradition which began over 50 years ago.
"David is a fantastic tuner and technician. This year I purchased a fully restored 1925 Steinway from a dealer in NewJersey. Although most of the restoration was done beautifully, they didn't do any work to the action other than replacing the parts. The result is a piano that sounded and looked beautiful that was practically unplayable due to the friction and resistance felt when pressing the keys. Thankfully David (along with his father Rick and brother John who are also brilliant technicians) came to the rescue and gave my piano's action a concert level overhaul. Now the piano plays like a concert piano and also retains that signature round Steinway sound. I'm always amazed at the limitless array of tonal colors that can come out of a Steinway based on how it is played. I'm very grateful to David and his family for helping bring this 1925 instrument back to its former glory and would wager to say they are the best in the business. Oh, almost forgot to mention, David and his family are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. I highly recommend giving them a call for all your piano needs whether you are an amateur or professional musician."
Aaron J Evans
“There's no one I trust more to care for my piano than David Butler. He's a highly qualified and experienced expert, and I'drecommend him without reservation to anyone needing piano services. He's simply the best.
Pete Williams
Dave was awesome. Personable but very professional. He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all my questions. I look forward to using his services in the future.
Cristina DeMino
Always professional, exemplary service.
Brenda Moore
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
Ashley Bass
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Regulation | Voicing | Repairs | Cleaning | Humidity Control
Under normal use, your piano's action will depart from the evenness established when it was originally regulated in the factory. The need for regulation is, to a certain extent, a function of the use to which the piano gets. Most pianos need at least a minor regulation every 2 to 3 years. This, however, is subject to individual judgment. Keep in mind that the action of a concert grand is regulated as a matter of routine before every performance.
To keep your piano's action as responsive as it was designed to be, it will, at some point, need to have parts replaced, for example, new hammers, hammershanks and flanges. The keys will likely need to be rebushed. Very often, the damper felt will need to be replaced along with the leather components in the pedals and trapwork.
It goes without saying that action regulation and voicing are jobs for a specialist. The two are usually done at the same time. I'm happy to talk with you about what it will take to restore the touch and tone of your piano.
Every piano has its own distinct flavor of tone. When maintained regularly by an experienced, full-time piano technician, your piano will be a continual source of delight and inspiration. Every time you play, the tuning and voicing will be beautiful, full, and have a singing tone. Not only will it gratify your ears, but it will also feel wonderful underneath your fingers when the keyboard action is maintained. It will be responsive, smooth, and have an even touch, making it a pleasure to play. Pianos are unique and special instruments.
Your piano is made primarily of wood, felt, wool and metal. Fluctuations in humidity can impact all these elements. In the same way a door sticks on a humid day, or hair gets frizzy, humidity fluctuations impact the components of your piano.
The Piano Life Saver levels out humidity fluctuations, alleviating many negative side effects and ultimately prolonging the life of your piano.
A piano string cover helps protect your piano strings, soundboard and grand action from dust and dampness. The covers are made of 100% WOOL They come in Black, Burgundy, Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Tan, Royal Blue, Medium Blue, and now Red. You can specify the type of decorative stitch, Feather or Greek Key, and also the color of thread, Gold, Blue, Red, Black, or White. Single-row stitching is available. Also available without decorative stitching.
PIANO STRING COVERS ARE HAND CUT, HAND MADE, AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR EVERY SIZE GRAND PIANO
Most pianos can be played for many years without major repairs. However, the tone, touch, and appearance will continually decline with age. When regular maintenance such as cleaning, regulating, voicing, and tuning can no longer provide satisfactory performance, a piano may require reconditioning or rebuilding.
Exactly when a piano needs rebuilding or reconditioning depends on its original quality, the climate, usage, and performance requirements. One piano may need rebuilding after just twenty years, while another may need only reconditioning after fifty years.