Bosendorfer Problems

Lee Sankey LSankey@swbell.net
Mon, 03 Feb 1997 21:08:56 -0600


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Dear Charles

Another thought regarding your Bosendorfer and tuning the first bass
strings (there are 97 notes on an Imperial for anyone who is not aware
of the Imperial). There are 2 or 3 technics that you may try.

First:  if you are using the SAT  try plucking the strings with you
fingernail or other appliance about an inch from the agraffe. This will
excite higher partials and make the signal stronger to the SAT.

Tune the octave by striking one of its coincident partials. In this area
a 10-5 is preferable. Hold the damper open and strike the relative
partial. Example: If you are tuning C1, press and hold down keys C1 and
C2. Strike E5 and listen for a beat originating from the 10 partial of
C1 and the 5 partial of C2. Tune C1 as though it were a unison. Continue
down scale. The frequency of the first notes are about 9 cps for
whatever that means and increases by the 12th root of 1.89 as it
ascends.

You can duplicate this aural process by direct measure using the
Acctuner or other similarly function ETD. Set the SAT to E4. Strike C2
and stop the lights. It may be necessary to pluck the string by the
above mentioned method. Now tune C1 to this calibrated setting. Continue
down the scale. After you have done this absolutely no one will know
that these strings are now in tune since I am not aware of any music
having been written for the notes. Some say that the musician can use
the notes for organ pedal tones. Who knows? or cares. If you would like
to know why Bosendorfer added the addional strings that would be fodder
for another discussion.

Incidentally for anyone who hasn't read the SAT manual or cannot
understand Dr Sanderson's unique way of explaning its use, direct
measure is a remarkably accurate method of tuning the top octaves.
Whether you prefer a 2-1, 4-2, or 4-1 octave. Let you ear dictate how to
bias the SAT. (Absolutely no disrespect to Dr. Sanderson. He is quite
simply one of the greatest persons I have ever had the priviledge to
know.

Regarding the tuning pins the Bosendorfer has an open face pin block
with no bushings, obviously. What is not commonly known is that the
Kimball technicians (???) have, on some pianos which have been returned
for repair for soundboard or pin block repair,  have restrung said
pianos. If you are among th privileged to service one of these, inspect
tuning pin height, coil height and tightness. If they are to high (ref:
Steinway K and X model uprights) you will have springs instead of tuning
pins. Good craftsmenship dictates the resolution.

Enough rambling

Lee Sankey
LSankey @swbell.net

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<DT>Dear Charles</DT>

<DT>&nbsp;</DT>

<DT>Another thought regarding your Bosendorfer and tuning the first bass
strings (there are 97 notes on an Imperial for anyone who is not aware
of the Imperial). There are 2 or 3 technics that you may try.</DT>

<DT>&nbsp;</DT>

<DT>First:&nbsp; if you are using the SAT&nbsp; try plucking the strings
with you fingernail or other appliance about an inch from the agraffe.
This will excite higher partials and make the signal stronger to the SAT.</DT>

<DT>&nbsp;</DT>

<DT>Tune the octave by striking one of its coincident partials. In this
area a 10-5 is preferable. Hold the damper open and strike the relative
partial. Example: If you are tuning C1, press and hold down keys C1 and
C2. Strike E5 and listen for a beat originating from the 10 partial of
C1 and the 5 partial of C2. Tune C1 as though it were a unison. Continue
down scale. The frequency of the first notes are about 9 cps for whatever
that means and increases by the 12th root of 1.89 as it ascends.</DT>

<DT>&nbsp;</DT>

<DT>You can duplicate this aural process by direct measure using the Acctuner
or other similarly function ETD. Set the SAT&nbsp;to E4. Strike C2 and
stop the lights. It may be necessary to pluck the string by the above mentioned
method. Now tune C1 to this calibrated setting. Continue down the scale.
After you have done this absolutely no one will know that these strings
are now in tune since I am not aware of any music having been written for
the notes. Some say that the musician can use the notes for organ pedal
tones. Who knows? or cares. If you would like to know why Bosendorfer added
the addional strings that would be fodder for another discussion.</DT>

<DT>&nbsp;</DT>

<DT>Incidentally for anyone who hasn't read the SAT manual or cannot understand
Dr Sanderson's unique way of explaning its use, direct measure is a remarkably
accurate method of tuning the top octaves. Whether you prefer a 2-1, 4-2,
or 4-1 octave. Let you ear dictate how to bias the SAT. (Absolutely no
disrespect to Dr. Sanderson. He is quite simply one of the greatest persons
I have ever had the priviledge to know.</DT>

<DT>&nbsp;</DT>

<DT>Regarding the tuning pins the Bosendorfer has an open face pin block
with no bushings, obviously. What is not commonly known is that the Kimball
technicians (???) have, on some pianos which have been returned for repair
for soundboard or pin block repair,&nbsp; have restrung said pianos. If
you are among th privileged to service one of these, inspect tuning pin
height, coil height and tightness. If they are to high (ref: Steinway K
and X model uprights) you will have springs instead of tuning pins. Good
craftsmenship dictates the resolution.</DT>

<DT>&nbsp;</DT>

<DT>Enough rambling</DT>

<DT>&nbsp;</DT>

<DT>Lee Sankey</DT>

<DT>LSankey @swbell.net</DT>

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