Adjustments (Regulation, Tuning, Voicing)

Regulation

• The playing mechanism for all 88 keys is adjusted, making sure that everything operates properly.
• Each action has over 1000 adjustments beginning with the keyboard, through the whippen and hammer assemblies, ending with the damper and pedal assemblies.
• Highly skilled technicians determine which of the interrelated adjustment points will enable the piano to produce the best touch and tone and to conform to the desires of the pianist.

Tuning

• Tuning sets the correct pitch by adjusting the tension of the strings. This is done by turning the tuning pins.
• Electronic aids are used to set the standards for the first general tunings on the assembly lines; However, the final tuning process is carried out entirely without electronic assistance. The ears of humans, with proper training and good artistic sensibilities provide the best results.

Voicing

• The voicing process uses needling, sand-files etc. to finely adjust the hammer shape and felt elasticity for all 88 keys, uniformly balancing the tone and volume over the total range of the piano.
• In addition, the horizontal level of the multiple strings is adjusted, insuring that all strings are struck evenly.
• The pedals are checked and adjusted to assure the pianist proper performance and to remove any restriction that might adversely affect the tone.
• Yamaha's ability to properly adjust and otherwise prepare a piano to perform to the highest degree of capacity is world renown. Yamaha's technicians are always in contact with the best pianists from all over the world through their servicing, maintenance and adjustment operation when preparing for concerts. The information and knowledge gained here is then used to improve the touch and tone of Yamaha grand pianos to the highest level possible.