Tuning stability

[Fred Sturm]

Jeff,
	The tuning instability you describe can certainly be ascribed to a need 
for restringing. Full restring isn't usually necessary. Usually the biggest 
problems are in the capo section, caused by a combination of string and 
capo condition. So a restring of those sections, with a good dressing and 
lube of the capo and aliquots (front bars by tuning pins), will make an 
enormous positive difference. At the same time, I would pull all bridge 
pins from those sections (except the few that won't get past plate struts), 
resurface that section of bridge (get it flat, grooves gone), renotch, and 
repin using something to size the bridgepin holes (I haven't decided if 
there is a difference between epoxy and medium to thick CA for the 
purpose). That will take care of the false beats.
	This is a very good alternative to a complete restring, and produces quite 
good results in my experience. I have also restrung down into the tenor, to 
the point where the bass strings cross over. In that case, I brush powdered 
teflon on the understring felt (which I can't replace in this partial job), 
and don't bother with bridge work more than a few unisons below the break.
	I have had experiences very similar to what you are describing. Protek on 
bearing points helps a bit, but only restringing gets the piano back to a 
truly tunable state.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico

--On Thursday, March 25, 2004 9:46 AM -0700 Jeff Stickney 
<jpstickney@montanadsl.net> wrote:

>
> All,
>         Our main performance piano is a 1974 Steinway D, which to my
> knowledge has never been restrung.  It has gotten increasingly hard to
> tune over the last few years - a lot of false beats and very hard to get
> clean unisons, much less get them stable.  I have been able to get it
> there in the past, but recently the unisons just don't seem to hold.  Is
> this a symptom of "worn out" strings?  Am I losing my touch?  The piano
> was not used very much until the #1 piano got worn out - but since this
> one became the #1 piano about 5 years ago it has gotten extensive use.  I
> would appreciate knowing why the aging/extensive use of the strings would
> cause instability - if in fact it does - so I can back up that claim and
> it doesn't sound like an excuse.  I suspect loose bridge pins are part of
> the equation as well.
>
>         The action is, of course, on the same slippery slope.  I'm
> starting to feel like Chicken Little around the department - the contract
> currently covers tuning and not much more, so it's no surprise.  I'm
> pushing for a half time position - for better or worse - but in the
> meantime money for maintenance is minimal.  Short of restringing, is
> there anything I can do to help this situation?  Thanks for your input.
>
> Jeff Stickney, RPT
> University of Montana
> jpstickney@montanadsl.net