Apollo Piano

04/26/2025

Taking the day off of music making and piano repairs to do some cycling in Marin.

Made the pit stop at Firehouse just under the 4pm wire!

Firehouse Coffee & Tea for perfection!

04/01/2025

Yamaha latest vertical Avant Grand is the NU1XA featuring the new magnetic key sensors, and now hammer sensors! Sometimes the keys squeak though, so we have to take them apart and lubricate the bushings. If yours do, don’t worry! Help is on the way! 😉 🎹

03/22/2025

Another floppy powered Disklavier repaired!

The family has owned it since the 1990s and has not been able to use it for years. 😞

Now for a PianoDisc upgrade to bring this piano 30 years into the future.

But did you know Yamaha has a different kind of upgrade in the works? Maybe? 🤔 😉

Stay tuned!!!

03/22/2025

Sometimes I just say yes, even when I think no. This family has had this player piano for 75 years or so, and hasn’t had it tuned for 50 years. I warned them that a string might break, and only one did! But how to splice a treble string without removing the action? Here it is:

03/22/2025

My Key Easing Pliers were my dad's, which he said he acquired in 1948 when he attended the New York trade School on the GI bill for piano tuning.

Here I am using these now 77 year old pliers - in 2025 - on a Yamaha GB1K Baby Grand with a Disklavier Player Piano. Good tools definitely outlive their owners.

Why am I easing the keys, and what do the pliers do?

Pianos need to be prepped before delivery; if not, sometimes there are little problems like stuck keys.

This piano was purchased from another dealer, and the first tech said it needed "tuning and himidity control." Well, ya, they all do, but the bottom hole (not shown) was tight on many keys, and the bushings were noticibky sticky on many notes. After wiping and polishing the pins, many were better, but many needed key easing.

The pliers actually crush the wood fibers, and flatten the felt. unfortunately I don't travel with my key easing iron, which would’ve allow me to flatten the bushings. However, the new bushings are not all wool, and don't react to the iron the same way wool bushings do.

Why all the detail? Because piano technicians. 😉

For being an instrument made of wood, felt, and steel, there sure are a lot of things to think about

03/21/2025

Why is the Yamaha C7 the most recorded piano in history?

This piano has earned its reputation as the most recorded piano in history through its remarkable clarity, balanced tone, and exceptional versatility across musical genres. Its stability during lengthy sessions, responsive action for nuanced expression, and controlled bass projection make it the gold standard for studio engineers and producers worldwide, leaving its unmistakable voice on countless albums spanning decades.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

It’s literally bullet proof.

I love this 1978 Yamaha C7! And now it's your turn to take on this beast!

This baby C7 is at my San Francisco Location. We've got more new and used pianos flowing in and out of SF, Chico, and Seattle all the time, but this one is special.

This exceptional 7'4" Yamaha C7 - the most recorded piano model in history - comes with an impressive musical pedigree. Fresh from Bethel Music Studios in Redding, California, where it served as...

04/27/2022

Practicing can be difficult depending on various noise restraints day to day. The Kawai AT-120 is here to mend those problems. This piano has full acoustic functionality to play all out during the day. Then once the quiet hours of night come around, you can activate the internal silent system which mutes the hammers and you can listen in to your playing through headphones. So you can silently practice while maintaining the true acoustic feel.

Call our store at (530)924-4469 and ask about our piano rental program today!

04/25/2022

Piano Express! The piano is an essential instrument for every musician no matter what instrument they specialize in. This class offers an informational experience on the basics of piano as well as a solid foundation in music theory

04/20/2022

Rent for $179 per month! This b1 Silent is an excellent example of Yamaha's prowess at taking old ideas and improving upon them through modern technology. Not only is this a fully functional upright piano with impeccable tonality and grace, it features a silent system! While using headphones, the system is capable of a number of functions: recording, changing voices, MIDI, USB, & AUX accessibility, and more. So many functions and surprises all compacted into an elegant upright with a beautiful ebony polish. The only ingredient needed is your imagination.

Call our store at (530)924-4469 and ask about our piano rental program today!

04/06/2022

New Piano Sale Alert ✨ This spring get a FREE month of lessons with any piano purchase
Also get ready for our Beatles Rock Program 🎸 Spots are filling up fast!
Visit https://www.apollopiano.net/ to view our pianos & sign up for our rock program! Piano Special Valid through April

04/05/2022

This upcoming Thursday!! Come learn about our exciting group rock programs and enjoy classic tunes performed by some of our most talented students and illustrious teaching staff here at APOLLO SCHOOL OF ROCK ’N ROLL