Jumping Pins

[Don Mannino]

Dick "No-Last-Name" wrote:

>>Nice Chickering grand.  Rebuilt 10 years ago.  Tuning pins are now rusty
(inside the block) and jumping.  Piano is untunable. What to do? Naptha,
Chalk, sandpaper bushing, etc.  Piano already has size 4 pins.<<

First of all, watch the assumptions.  Since you say you are a beginner, then I
hope you won't mind some constructive criticism.

1. Although it's conceivable, rust rarely forms on the embedded portion of
tuning pins. Jumping, snapping pins are usually caused by other things, probably
from the repinning / restringing process.

2. No pianos are untuneable, or all pianos are untuneable, depending on how you
look at it. Jumpy pins can be dealt with, it's just not fun.  You didn't say if
they are tight or loose. Jumpy, loose pins are miserable to tune. Tight jumpy
pins also can be tough, but either type of problem can be dealt with.  Adjust
your tuning technique to allow you to work with the limitations of the pins, and
you should be able to tune the piano.

If the pins are tight and jumpy, then in some cases turning the pins down 1/2
turn and back up can help. You have to hold the coils and make sure they are
tight when you're done, and you have to deal with some instability in the piano
afterwards, but this might help.

Loose and jumpy will probably require reaming and repinning, or better yet a new
pinblock. All depends on the history of the existing pinblock - old pin dope,
etc.

Don't ignore string friction at bearing points as a source of difficult tuning
also.

Don Mannino RPT
74473.624@compuserve.com