Phelps Piano Tuning

08/28/2021

Hello to all who visit my piano tuning page. I have now been doing this for over 40 years and my aging body is telling me it's time to slow down. So as of September 30, 2022 I will no longer be doing any piano repair work (other than minor repairs such as sticking keys, broken strings, etc.). I will continue to do tuning work within a 50 mile radius of New Bern. Blessing to you all!!

11/19/2019

Recently had a first: I did two concert tunings in the same week. One was for Craven Concerts -- a nice Steinway grand at Craven Community College. The other was a beautiful Yamaha grand for the Gaither Vocal Band at Temple Church. What a privilege to tune two such exceptional pianos in the same week!

09/20/2019

01/25/2019

The first question I ask a customer before I tune the piano is this: "Do you need/want your piano tuned to A440, i.e., standard pitch?" I get that "deer-in-the-headlights" look from about 75% of people. They don't know what that means or if they want it. A440 is the setting of the A note below middle C and is the pitch of pre-tuned instruments, such as electronic keyboards, church organs, even electronically-tuned guitars. So if no other instrument is being played with the piano, it's not vital to set it to A440. Unless one has a perfect-pitch ear, you won't know the difference. If a piano has not been tuned in 2+ years, it may take an extensive "pitch-raise" or two or more tunings over a a 30-60 day period to get it to hold.

12/23/2018

You're probably not gonna believe this, but I tuned a piano for Michael W. Smith. See, I told you that you wouldn't believe me! But it indeed is true. He was the keyboard player for a group called "Higher Ground," and I had them at the church I pastored in either 1981 or 1982 (St. Paul in Greenville, NC). Of course, I never imagined he would become the prolific songwriter and worship leader that he is today. The Bible tells us to do whatever we do "as unto the Lord." I've always reminded myself of that when I'm about to head out for a day of tuning. Little did I know, way back in the 80s that I would tune for one of the Lord's choice servants.

07/15/2018

Been enjoying the cool mountain breezes for the past two weeks, but now it's time to go home and back to work. I have 23 tunings on the books, as well as a grand regulation job (full day) and two repair jobs. At least I'll be working inside!!

11/22/2015

A good example of my last post occurred just this week. I went to Hubert, NC to tune a piano a couple had purchased from a store that sells second-hand items. They were assured the piano just needed a little work and a tuning. Turns out the spinet, made by Grand Piano Company, had several broken strings. I replaced three of the strings in the mid-section and started tuning. Immediately I discovered that the tuning pins were so loose that , when I took my hand off the tuning hammer, it turned
backwards on its own. In short, the piano was un-tune-able. The pin block was coming unglued. To repair the piano would cost probably ten times what they paid for it. It is only the second piano I have had to walk away from in 38 years of tuning. I advised them to call me if they considered buying another used piano, and I would check it out for them. Now they're stuck with something that is only a piece of furniture, not a playable musical instrument. Be careful before you grab that "great deal." BTW, I tuned a Yung Chang console piano this week that is worth probably over $1,000, but the woman bought it for $50. Great piano! There are some great deals out there, but LET THE BUYER BEWARE.

10/28/2015

Thinking of purchasing a piano, new or used? Be sure to consult with a piano tech before writing that check. There are some pianos that have a great reputation, but even they may have some bad apples in certain year models. For example, Kawai is one of the better grand pianos out there, but there were some baby grands made around 1978-80 that have a structural defect. I have tuned three of them at three different churches and none will hold tuning for 24 hours. So ask a piano tech before spending that kind of money. You might be glad you did!

06/21/2015

Thanks to the "likes"of so many good friends, business is quite good! Have 4 in Jacksonville this week alone, besides several others from NB to Aurora.

05/13/2015

Hi to all my friends! Thanks to your help, I'm on on page 1 of Google search for New Bern, Jacksonville, and Kinston. Supposed to tune a Kawai grand this afternoon. Looking forward to it; they are such high quality instruments (except for a few baby grands they put out around 1979-80 when there were some defective pianos that wouldn't hold tune 24 hours. Have run into 3 of those--all in churches).