Tuning stability

[Jeff Stickney]

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List, 
     Thanks to all who have replied with ideas.  The piano has lived in
this same space for the whole time, so changes in environment is not an
issue.  However, the RH does get down to the high teens in the winter -
as low as 17%.  I suspect this may be part of the problem with bridge
pins and false beats.  I have tapped both strings to bridge and the
bridge pins themselves to no avail.  The piano has a lot of extraneous
noise - both in the action (teflon bushings that were pinned with size
24 pins *before* I got the job 12 years ago) and noise related to front
duplex/capo/agraffe buzzing and zinging.  Other than a few notes around
the B4-Eb5 area that have been chronically hard to tune/stabilize, the
instability seems to move around.   
      I hesitate to do the "quick and easy" things - e.g. super glue in
the bridge pins - thinking I would hold out for the money to do a more
complete job.  In the mean time, it's starting to make me look bad.  I
was ready and able to walk away from the contract, but instead have
proposed a half-time position.  The Dept. chair is all for it, but the
reality of funding the position doesn't look too hopeful.  The condition
of this piano is indicative of the general state of affairs.     
    In the short term, I will need to make some decisions about doing
some of the quick fixes, maybe even restring just the mid-range to the
top.  If the restringing solves some of the problems that are generating
complaints, they may begin to understand the necessity of piano
maintenance - and that I am not making excuses for myself but rather
trying to deal with inadequately maintained pianos.   
      When you mention using protek on the bearing points of felt, are
you referring to CPL, or Prolube?  I think CPL is what would be
preferred, but I thought I would double check.  Thanks again for your
ideas and questions. 
 
Jeff Stickney, RPT 
University of Montana 
jpstickney@montanadsl.net 

----Original Message-----
From: David Skolnik [mailto:davidskolnik@optonline.net] 
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 8:17 AM
To: jpstickney@montanadsl.net; College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: Tuning stability



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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