How Soon to Tune?

[Clyde Hollinger]

When we suggest a waiting period after a move, precisely what are we
expecting to happen while we wait?  I presumed it was in case the new home
(for example) might have a considerably different humidity level when
compared with the former one, as would be the case in moving to an
airconditioned home from one that was not.

The next question in my mind is, how long does it take the wood components
of a piano, most importantly in this case the soundboard, to adjust to a
different humidity level?  I don't know, but I would think considerably
longer than three days.  I generally suggest a wait of a month and will
likely continue to do so unless someone has some research results or
information that will shed new light on the subject for us.

Regards,
Clyde Hollinger, RPT

>
>  Most piano stores provide a free home tuning with piano sales.
> Usually, they have a cadre of technicians and assign these tunings
> with
> "Service Bonds" to one of their crew. The manager at one store
> instructed technicians to contact customers within ten days of the
> delivery date posted on the service bond. I did this consistently.
> Many
> times, the customer would explain that their sales person instructed
> them to wait for periods of weeks before having the piano tuned in
> order
> that the instrument become properly acclimated to its new
> surroundings.
>
>         I have discussed this waiting period with a number of other
> technicians and store salesmen and there appears to be a serious
> debate
> about the issue. I'd be interested in views of some informed parties.
> My
> own personal bias is that anything more than 72 hours would be
> unnecessary. But I'm willing to learn.
>
>         Could you run that up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes?
>
>                                         Mark Stern