I’ve recently installed some external speakers for various Yamaha Disklaviers. Hopefully my experience with this helps somebody else! The Yamaha Disklavier Mark IV is a well-loved, sophisticated instrument. However, upgrading its control unit to the DKC-900 offers several benefits—most notably, access to Yamaha’s ENSPIRE radio stations and On-Demand radio. This is one of my recommended … Read more
I have a customer who recently experienced an issue with his Yamaha Disklavier HQ100. The HQ100 is the Japanese version of the MX100II. He primarily uses this instrument via MIDI, and finds the Disklavier quite useful. This discussion should apply to other models of Yamaha Disklavier. Although the solenoids and part numbers differ between models, … Read more
I’ve had a couple of people reach out over the years looking for the bracket that supports the Yamaha DKC-850, otherwise known as the “hanger assembly.” The part number for this is, according to Yamaha, WT79210. Unfortunately, it’s been discontinued. However, you can use the hanger assembly for the Yamaha DKC-800, which is a perfect … Read more
The Yamaha HQ100 is a so-called “gray-market” upright. A gray market piano is one that’s authentically manufactured by Yamaha, but is not intended for sale in a specific geographic region or country. Instead, it’s sold as “gray market”—a market that exists outside the official distribution channels and is not authorized by the manufacturer. In this … Read more
During the winter months, many clients leave the state of Maine. Their piano is left in Maine, which means there’s nobody to fill the Dampp-Chaser! This is a solution. My best estimate is that this system can supply a Dampp-Chaser with sufficient water for three months during the winter, or perhaps longer. Normally, they have … Read more
I’m often asked by clients how to clean their pianos safely without dulling the finish or hurting the action. This short guide distills the tips I give on service calls in one easy-to-reference list. If you’re unsure about any cleaning procedure, you should contact your piano technician. How do I clean my keys? If you … Read more
Why do pianos need to be tuned? Piano tuning is the first step in good piano maintenance. Pianos go out of tune as humidity changes. Here in Maine (and New England in general), indoor humidity is highly unpredictable. Constant small fluctuations in humidity mean your piano can go out of tune even more quickly than … Read more
Piano movers near me? Who do I contact? The United States The best place to look first is your local piano store. Even if they don’t move pianos themselves (and they might), they’ll know what movers are available in your area. Most importantly, they’ll be aware who is reputable and competent, which you can’t always … Read more