Andrew Cave Piano Technician

Andrew is an extremely thorough craftsman and really knows his way around the workings of a piano. His diagnosis of all the things wrong with our 1936 upright was excellent, and then he carried out the work to an extremely high standard. He was also really interested in helping me find out more about the history of the piano, which turned out not to be a Dale Forty, but made for them by Kemble in 1936. I am very grateful to Andrew for everything he has so patiently done to this instrument, which is now perfectly in tune, and no longer has strange foibles! I would not hesitate to recommend him.

I booked a tuning for my Petrof upright shortly after moving house and letting it settle into a new space. Andrew took a look and recommended giving it some more care and attention, staying longer to clean and give it a thorough service as well. It honestly feels (and sounds) like a new piano now and it's an absolute joy to play. Andrew clearly has a lot of skill and passion for what he does. Would highly recommend his services. Thanks so much for doing an incredible job!

I have nothing but great things to say about Andrew and his amazing work. He has tuned my 2 year old Kawai K-300 a few times now and each time he has been incredibly thorough and works to a very high standard. Not only is he extremely professional but also lovely to chat to. His passion for piano shines through his work and it is always a treat to hear him play some amazing jazz music aswell! Thank you very much, Andrew!

This was intended to be nothing longer than a short sonnet, but make a cuppa and sit down. The ability to make music is a gift not everyone comes into this life with. Most people with the ability, have worked hard to achieve a level of prowess according to their time spent learning and practising. I love music, couldn't and wouldn't live without it. My prowess is very limited, after several years as a child, being dragged to piano lessons which, at the time, I didn't fully appreciate. New skills learnt in the Armed Forces meant music was not just secondary but tertiary; staying alive came first. Success! I'm still here. Taking early retirement twenty-two years ago, I made a break with the recent past by buying a piano. A Reiger Kloss, by Petrof, it is a small upright in bright wood. I call it my Grand Piano, because it cost a grand. I had it tuned once, in 2012. A man arrived. I made him a cup of tea and we chatted; social lubrication, the weather etc. When asked if he'd like to see the piano, he smiled a toothy smile. Showing him the Reiger, he took out a MOBILE PHONE and small tool from his pocket. I left him to it. The piano was tuned - it wasn't too badly out, just the two lower octaves. I was pleased with his work because the discordance had gone when I played. Y'know how one bum note flavours the feeling of a whole piece? Yeah. But in 2022, the sustain pedal didn't sustain properly; the lower octave had slipped again and the keys were not returning quickly enough for repeat notes on some of the pieces I play. I knew it was poorly, but gritted my teeth and carried on. The previous tuner was in no way good enough to look after my most precious toy. Proper piano technicians and tuners are Very Special People, and many try to emulate them. Find a good one. Deciding to interview, by email, as many as necessary, ANDREW CAVE was my second victim. Leaving seven days after first contact, in case the prey was on holiday, I'd heard nothing, so lined up the next. But Andrew answered, apologetically, with an email. First contact had somehow slipped through his net but he'd trawled it up, and yes, he was interested. Answering the door to Andrew on the appointed morning, we exchanged names. His first question was, "Can I see the instrument please?" Followed by social lubrication. Quiet and thoughtful, he removed a panel and peered inside. "I'd really like a full service as well as a tune up please," I told him. He looked up at me, then back to the innards. Andrew gave me a price. I made us a strong coffee, from beans. He brought into the house a vacuum cleaner, brushes, bags of tools and spent half the afternoon dismantling. I was horrified to see my beloved piano in several pieces all over the living room. Andrew cleaned, replaced almost a dozen lignified pieces of what was once quite thick felt, lubricated all moving parts, adjusted, reassembled, tuned and the gods only know what else. He charged me just over ten pounds a YEAR of ownership. Andrew's attention to detail, as far as I could see, was second to none, leaving my pride and joy tearfully soulful. It has NEVER sounded better. This service and tune-up was a little over two weeks ago and the piano is, I swear, getting better; mellowing. ANDREW CAVE is a busy man, working in different parts of the country, looking after the ability of ordinary and extraordinary people to make their own music. I call that Special. If you're fortunate enough to engage his interest, look after him. Milk, no sugar. Pawl Clark. Warwickshire."