Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Typical cost for pin-block replacement?

I'd like to get an idea of what it would cost for a pin block replacement. I've got a nice new (10 year old) piano that has a manufacturing defect where the pin block doesn't touch the plate flange anywhere so the piano won't hold tuning.

Everything else is in wonderful shape and nothing else would need be replaced.

Thanks,

Not a bonafide piano tech myself, only a tinkerer, but I think I can safely say you need to provide make and model, (spinet, console, full size upright, baby grand, full size grand....) of piano! Kind of like when somebody calls my car repair shop and asks "How much to replace an engine?" and we don't know if its a Cummins Turbo-Diesel or a VW bug.

Those far more knowledgeable than I am, MIGHT be able to advise you over the internet if this piano even needs a new pinblock after you provide its identidy.

Kevin - Did you or your technician pull the action of your grand to inspect the fit of the pinblock to the flange with a mirror and flashlight, or are you just guessing? If there really is no contact between the two, this could very well be the source of your tuning instability.

I replaced the pinblock on a Fischer and Sons grand once in which the pinblock touched the flange in only 3 specific spots. Unfortunately, however, not all 3 at once. It was like a teeter-totter, with the middle point touching all the time, and one end spot or the other (but never both) touching as well. Talk about a tuning nightmare!

As far as price, factor in that you would need new pins and strings to complete the job. In the regions of the country with the lowest cost of living you're still talking in the thousands for a competent job. How many thousands would depend largely upon where you live, and the reputation and skill of the technician. Best of luck. Chuck Behm

P.S. Here's some basic information to help you understand the procedure involved. Understand please that I'm not looking for work - you'll need to find a local technician to do the work, if this is the route you decide upon.