Tuning Pins

[David Renaud]

Richard Brekne wrote:
If its a choice between tapping, dopping, or changing, it is my experience that

> changing gives decidedly the best and most long lasting result. It is just about
> as quick to do as either of the above proceedures, and I really fail to
> understand why pin changinging is apparently some kind of "to be avoided" thing.
> Quite baffeling really.. grin
>
> Richard Brekne
> I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F.
> Bergen, Norway
>

Not always longer lasting.

If the loose pin is due to small cracks a larger pin will just
force the crack open more. I've seen jobs where
oversize pins just made the pinblock worse and the pins
were untunable again in one season. On the other hand
taping introduces some new wood, and for reasons that
I don't pretend to fully understand often works quite
effectively with no risk, very little time,  and very low
or even no cost. I tuned a piano yesterday that was junk two
years ago, frame-pinblock separation and so on with some pins having
practically no torque. I tapped them. After two years it was holding surprisingly
well. I would have felt bad having these people invest a penny
one then necessary for this piano is truly on its last legs.
So if it takes 10 min of my time and costs 10$ to tap 30 pins
with the subsequent pitch raise, there be no risk, no loss, and often
something to gain for the client..
The worse that can happen is move on to another procedure.

                                                      Cheers
                                                      Dave Renaud
                                                      RPT
                                                      Canada