Tuning problems

[Jim]

Hi Glen:

The problem is not the hitch pins.  Strings do not slip around the
hitch pitch except in cases of extreme tension change. If a piano
is considerably low in pitch, it needs more than one tuning. Forget
accuracy the first time or two, just get the approximate tension on.
Then, you will be able to tune more accurately. On the Wurlitzer
the tuning pins are usually too close together and sometimes while
tuning one string of a unison, you knock out another one because the
tuning pin bears against a previouly tune string.  Sometimes the only
remedy for this is to find one of the strings which is not touched
by another one near the tuning pins. Tune this one first and then
jockey the others in tune with it. This particular problem occurs
most often in the Tenor section where the 3 string unisons begin.

It is easier to set a temperament on this piano or an Acrosonic by
tuning and A to A temperament. This avoids some of the inharmonicity
hassles that are presented you when crossing over into the wound
strings.  If you need info on this, write me again.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

On Mon, 12 May 1997 Glen_Deligdisch@sil.org wrote:

>      Dear Pianotech list,
>
>      I tried to tune a Wurlitzer last week and ran into a nightmare.
>
>      The problem showed up while setting up the temperament and then lasted
>      throughout the rest of the tuning on the steel strings only.  I muted
>      off the piano and was setting the temperament on the center strings.
>      Then I would tune the outside strings to bring in the unisons.  I
>      muted again just to listen to the temperament and it was wrong.  I
>      repeated paying more attention and had the same results.  I then
>      experimented a little.
>
>      What I found was, I could set the middle string and then bring in the
>      outside string that was not shared with the middle string over the
>      hitch pin.  I would then bring the shared outside string into unison
>      with the middle string and both would be different from the unshared
>      outside string.
>
>      I looked at the hitch pins and noted that they were a massive 3/16
>      inch in diameter instead of the normal 1/8 inch that I see in other
>      pianos.  My conclusion was that the string must be slipping around the
>      hitch pin which really presented me with a dilemma.  This was not a
>      isolated problem, there were many that did the same thing so that I
>      really felt quite bad about the tuning.
>
>      Do others of you think my conclusion is correct?
>
>      How does one tune a piano with this kind of a problem?
>
>      I am a new technician and would appreciate any advise you all can
>      give.
>
>      Thanks,
>
>      Glen
>
>      ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>      Glen and Ruth Deligdisch
>      P.O. Box 248
>      Waxhaw, NC  28173
>
>      Tel:  (704) 843-6047
>
>      E-mail:  Glen_Deligdisch@SIL.ORG
>
>
>
>