Complete Piano Service
816-587-1544
Yvonne & William Rucker - Omaha, NE
Mr. Cantu completely rebuilt and refinished our Chickering grand
piano. We are amazed at the work he performed and could not be
more pleased. We searched for someone who was willing and able to
take on this task for over two years. The piano was originally built
in the 1880s and finding parts and knowing how to recreate a quality
musical instrument was not something that three or four people we con-
tacted felt able to do. Mr. Cantu took on the task and in five months
returned a magnificent piano that we are very proud of.
Mr. Cantu proved to be reliable in every way and was enjoyable to
work with. It was our great pleasure to see how proud he is of his
work and how seriously he wants to do a fine task.
We would most certainly recommend him as a skilled professional
in his field.
Jennifer Vidacak - Kansas City, MO
Amazing experience! My husband surprised me with a baby grand
for my 36th birthday, knowing it had been my dream to have one
since I began playing at 8 years old. I was ecstatic but quickly
became concerned about how I would find a piano mover. This
was my dream & a big chunk of money - I would just cry if anything happened during the move.
I googled & checked-out websites, placing several calls. Jones Piano House was the only one
out of 6 calls I placed that answered when I called (all the others hadn't even returned my message
by the time Jones had completely moved my piano). I knew a regular moving company wouldn't have
the knowledge of how to truly handle pianos and after reviewing Jones website felt comforted that
not only move but they know how to tune, restore, etc. -they KNOW pianos. Steve quickly answered
all of my questions with knowledge & non-pressure tactics & even set-up the move to occur as soon
as 2 hours or if I needed more time could happen in 2 days! I felt compelled to watch over my "baby"
so I witnessed two skilled individuals treat my "baby" with tender care even walking me through how
and why they do things. They were professional, neat & conscientious of not only the piano but of the
hardwood floors at both locations. I enjoyed talking to them as they were offering up suggestions on
long-term care, showing me access points and talking about the history of piano making. I've since
compared their pricing to others & can't believe that they don't charge more. I was so happy with their
service that I had to give the guys a great tip. They're definitely worth more than they charge! I abso-
lutely recommend them to anyone & they will be the one I call to have all my piano needs serviced!!!
Rosie Rocker - Gladstone, MO
Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
For a seven year old, a picture was the only means
of articulating her delight when Jones Piano House
delivered her new "Best Friend"
The keys to piano care
Keep the music sweet
with biannual tuning,
climate-control and
regular cleaning
By Susan Murphy Casey
Kansas City Star 2/5/2012
The change in the weather can conspire against not
only your comfort level, but your piano too.
Luckily, this season is a great time to get your piano
in great shape
"Pianos go out of tune whether you play them or not because of heat and hu-
midity," said Steve Cantu, owner of Jones Piano House in Kansas City. He
tuned a grand piano recently inside the home of Judith King in Kansas City
Start with regular tunings. "Tune in the winter, when the piano is at its driest and coldest, and tune in the summer, when it is most humid
and hottest" says Steve Cantu, owner of Jones Piano House in Kansas City. "Catch the piano at its extreme conditions." The metal ex-
pands or contracts with different temperatures and the wood expands or contracts with different humidity levels, Cantu says.
A tuning usually runs between $60 and $125. To find a technician, Jamie Deets, service coordinator at Schmitt Music in Overland Park,
suggests contacting a dealer who sells your brand of pianos or the Piano Technicians Guild, an international group based in Kansas City, KS.
The region's humidity changes make pianos go out of tune quickly, says Wayne Yockey, a piano technician in Kansas City. Although some-
what controversial, Yockey and some others recommend installing a humidifier/dehumidifier or "damp chaser" on the piano. The device in-
cludes a low-wattage heating element to chase away humidity and a humidifier to put moisture into the piano during drier times. Damp
chasers run $400 to $575. Maintenance costs $30 to $75 per visit, and they need service once or twice a year, experts say. But Deets says
he has seen the devices malfunction and cause serious damage.
Stephan Cantu
suggests tuning
the instruments
at the year's hot-
test and coldest
points
A tuning usually
runs between
$60 and $125.
Gerald Arbeau, owner of Arbeau Piano and piano service manager at
Peirsee Piano & Organ in Lee's Summit, says the devices have im-
proved over the years. A shut-off sensor has been added to newer models
to prevent an empty humidifier from drying out the piano, and techni-
cians must now be certified to install them.
Arbeau regularly recommends the devices for grand pianos but not as
much for vertical pianos, which are close to the ground and therefore
less vulnerable to air changes. Deets and Cantu would prefer that an
ideal room humidity level -- between 42 percent and 45 percent -- be
regulated without use of a damp chaser.
Once you've tackled the inside, how do you keep your piano spiffy on the
outside? Advice differs by finish and technician, but there are a few con-
stants. For routine cleaning of dust and fingerprints, use a damp microfiber
or cotton cloth, Deets says. Clean along the grain. Wipe off excess water
with a dry cloth. Never use furniture polish, experts say. It's not neces-
sary and can damage the wood.
If there is gum or goo on your piano, the next step for varnished, lacquered
and satin (a type of polyester) finishes is to use a product without ammonia
or silicone, experts say. Dilute the product and spray it sparingly onto the
cloth, not directly onto the piano. Rinse with a damp cloth, and follow with
a dry cloth.
For extra cleaning on polished, shiny ebony -- another type of polyester finish -- Deets likes detail wax (look for it at auto parts stores).
Arbeau and Yockey recommend Cory Care Products, which are specifically for pianos and are sold at most piano vendors or through technicians.
Treat the keys the same way you would the cabinet, Deets says, with a mildly damp cloth, followed by a dry cloth, While the tops of the keys
usually are made of plastic, the sides are made of raw wood and need to be kept dry.
Clean brass pedals with brass cleaner or nickel-plated pedals with
nickel cleaner.
What about dust that settles on the strings inside? "A professional
technician should clean the inside," Deets says. "There are too many
things to damage."
A vertical piano almost never needs cleaning, Deets says. "But if the
lid is open on a grand piano, dust settles like it does on knickknacks
in the house."
Have a technician clean the interior while it's being tuned, Deets says --
it might cost extra, but it's worth the money.
Winter is a good time to tune and clean your piano.
If you've got a grand piano with an open lid like
Judith King of Kansas City has, dust can settle on
inside.