Vanguard Piano Service | Piano Repair Service Kansas city

  A common question we get asked is “What should I do with an old piano?” When it comes to modern appliances, devices, clothes, toys we consider something ‘old’ after maybe 7-10 years. (Who still uses the same phone they had 10 years ago?) When it comes to acoustic pianos, old typically means anywhere from 50 - 120 years old! Many old uprights and grands still exist in people’s homes today that were acquired and passed down from previous generations. These instruments for the most part were wonderful instruments in their time. Many pianos from the early 1900s through the 50’s were made in the USA under many different reputable brands. The fact that so many century old pianos are still around and playable today is a testament to the fine craftsmanship and quality of materials used. At some point though, every piano has a shelf life. Even the most excellent quality pianos made with the finest materials will need to be refurbished / rebuilt at some point. Strings and hammers typically...

  In the year of this writing, in the state of Missouri, there are three major competitors remaining in the market of new piano sales that retain sales locations in the state, that is, the Japanese piano corporations Yamaha and Kawai, and the German/American Steinway Co.. These three makers have something in common that has allowed them to thrive where others have sunk, among other differences, and that is that they all invest heavily into the quality of their products. Where they differ is a bit trickier to define without resorting to technical definitions, but when talking with clients, I will sometimes reach to the automotive industry for metaphor and compare Yamaha and Kawai loosely with Honda and Toyota, by happy coincidence two japanese auto brands that also offer quality products, and combine both relative affordability with reliability. Yamaha has arguably stronger brand recognition of the two japanese piano concerns, and many people already associate Yamaha with quality mo...

Piano technology has a vast array of different disciplines one could dedicate their life to perfecting. This is why education remains a cornerstone value of our company. Whether that is annual conventions with the guild, specific brand focused training with manufacturers, and ongoing communication within our team as we sharpen one another’s skills. Piano’s come in a variety of styles, and every brand has it’s quirks. This is why we continue to engage with manufacturers to receive the latest information on how to best service their instruments. Ty Uphoff receiving one on one tuning instruction from “Ace” at Yamaha headquarters. Visiting the manufacturers also gives us a unique perspective on our strengths and weaknesses. While visiting Steinway for training we got the chance to tour the factory. There you see hundreds of technicians all dedicated to one small aspect of piano building. Ty Uphoff exploring the rim room where Steinway reduces the RH % of the wood in preparation of building...

  Why Choose Vanguard Piano Service? Our Registered Piano Technicians have Experience, Provide Excellent Service, and are Committed to Continued Education When choosing a technician, experience matters. Ty Uphoff began his technical training at the age of 16. With over two decades of experience in multiple states he has serviced thousands of instruments. It takes years of training to learn the skills necessary to service a piano and more years afterwards to be able to do both quality work and do so in a timely manner. While experience is an important component of choosing your technician, arguably one could have decades of experience without advancing their knowledge. In addition to over two decades experience as a technician, Ty plays the piano. His expertise in piano care and maintenance comes from a passion for achieving the best playing experience. While being capable at playing the piano may not be required to service one, playing well enough to speak the language of the most ...

  Have you ever suddenly realized that the room you’ve been sitting in is way too hot? Or suddenly realize you are hungry and probably have been for a while. Sometimes it takes our conscious brain a while to catch up to subtle changes in the way we feel. With pianos , if something suddenly goes wrong, it is often immediately apparent: a key stops working, or dampers ring forever, or the pedal squeaks. The decision to pick up the phone and have someone come out and look at the issue is an easy one, and the pain point simple to identify. As pianos age, accompanying subtle changes often require us as musicians to (often subconsciously) put more effort into making the piano sound good. In grand pianos, compression and wear of felt parts throughout the piano mechanism cause alignment problems in the hammers. Slight warping in the wooden parts in all pianos can cause piano hammers to gain extra friction, or strike the strings incorrectly or not at all. Keys can begin to feel significantl...