Voicing New Pianos

[meli]

Hi guys, I have recently bought a Yamaha U1 Silent Piano which is about 1 year old now and need to sign up for a tuning/maintenance plan. I know that new pianos need about 2-3 tunings in its first year which I have signed for. Now, my tuner is asking me if I would like to include voicing/regulation which is gonna cost extra $$. I understand that they will just check for any worn-out hammers, density of felt etc.. but somehow I don't find it necessary, especially for new pianos. What is voicing & regulation exactly and is it required for all new pianos? I just don't want to waste $$ on something that isn't necessary. Thanks!

[richard black]

Unless you're really leathering it on a daily basis, it shouldn't need any voicing or regulation except maybe for a quick touch-up after a year or two to take up any bedding-in issues. Voicing is fiddling with the hammers to ensure tone is consistent and true, and regulation is any kind of adjustment to the mechanism. In my experience, most good tuners will simply register mentally what needs doing in that line as they are tuning a piano, and then call you over when they are finished and point out what needs doing. Of course if they reckon a major job is necessary it's a different matter, but most will throw in a couple of quick adjustments as part of the tuning, or charge a few extra $/£/whatever for a few minutes' work adjusting for normal wear and tear.