Tuning stability

[David Skolnik]

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Jeff -
If you suspect loose bridge pins, are there any that are visually suspect, 
such as hairline or larger bridge cracks, or gapping in the wood 
surrounding the bridge pin?  Have you taken careful downbearing 
measurements to determine the presence or absence of negative front 
bearing? Such a condition can induce distortions in string termination, 
causing both false beats and tuning instability?  Have you tried tapping 
(lightly) strings to bridge?  Also, tapping bridge pins themselves can 
sometimes clear up tonal problems. A bit more specific information, such as 
area of scale affected, or circumstances in which instability is observed, 
might aid in remote diagnoses.

With regard to Chicken Little syndrome, you probably need to make some 
choices.   You may want to survey, on your own time, the condition of the 
pianos, facilities, and the demands, and present a proposal to the 
responsible person or persons.   Based upon the response you  receive, you 
need to determine what works for you.  If you continue to receive 
inadequate resources to do the kind of work you feel is needed, you 
probably need to either do it anyway, chalking it up to gained experience, 
or, if you can afford to, walk away from it.  Of course, I'm speaking in 
generalities, not knowing anything of your particular situation, but, as 
such, the biggest challenge in these circumstances is figuring the 
politically adroit way to direct the general communal distress towards 
those who have the power to affect a change.   Good luck.

David Skolnik, RPT, CU (currently unaffiliated)




At 09:46 AM 3/25/2004 -0700, you 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

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