advice??

[DGPEAKE]

In a message dated 97-12-19 23:12:14 EST, you write:

<< 
   I tuned a Hallet Davis & Co. piano today.  Atlas indicates it was built
 in 1885.  Not a bad piano, but...  It was 47 cents sharp on A4.  A5 was
 worse.  The client says that the previous tuner indicated that pianos of
 this time had a special tuning range.  He was the 2nd tuner they had had
 which had changed the frequency of the piano.  
   Here I come, and I lowered it back down to A - 440.  I have to add that
 there were a lot of replaced strings.  Several had been tied off (very
 neatly too), and several completely replaced.  The sound board was also
 split and repaired.  this piano has been moved since previous tuning and
 spent several months in storage 
   Anyone have any information about a "special" pitch for "pianos of this
 time."  Other than maybe tuning at 435, which is lower, I can't think of a
 reason for tuning it sharp at all, much less almost 50 cents sharp.   I
 can't imagine that moving it, or storing it would cause it to go sharp, at
 least not to that extent.
 
   Any thoughts???????
 
 Ed
 Ed Carwithen
 Oregon >>

Ed,

I have a Hallet & Davis in my shop that I purchased years ago for rebuilding.
I believe it is of the same vintage.  This particular piano action and keys
remove as a single unit.  It has agraffes on the bridges.  I may have a buyer
for it and I look forward to see how it turns out.  It is beautifully
ornamated and should be a dandy of a piano when fully restored.

As for tuning, pianos designed for A-435 pitch should not have a problem
tuning to A-440.  My Hallet and Davis snapped 3 strings in a row when bringing
just to pitch, therefore a new set of strings are necessary.

I do not know of any reason to tune sharper than A-440 unless it is a special
tuning at A-442, which is only 8 cents sharp.  How is the humidity situation
Did he really tune 45 Cents sharp or was it to damp and went that way?  I have
seen it happen before.

Merry Christmas!

Dave Peake, RPT
Portland, OR