-----Original Message----- From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf Of Ron Nossaman Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2001 12:34 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: stability of pitch raises (Ron's question) OK folks, I got a couple of good responses to the actual question early on, but this has once again wandered off into a series of answers not relating to the question asked. The question was, and still is: ************************************************************************ If folks are habitually doing two pass tunings anyway, and since they're probably using an ETD that does pitch raises within a couple of cents of dead on in one pass (as we read repeatedly), why would they find it necessary to charge anything above the cost of a tuning for a pitch adjustment? *********************************************************************** ...snip Hello Ron and list, I habitually do two pass tunings. I do charge for pitch adjustments of more than 5 or 6 cents. It is at that point that I find that the work required to do a job I find acceptable becomes greater than a piano with less than that amount off. The method I use to determine the overall pitch of the piano is to compare the middle note of the treble bridge to the corresponding note on the tuning I have chosen for the piano. I define the middle note of the treble bridge as the note that has the same number of unisons above it as it has below it on that bridge. On many pianos that means I check two notes. I measure all three (or six) strings in the unison(s) and average the numbers. On most pianos needing a pitch correction between 6 and 100 cents I can achieve an acceptable tuning in two passes. Pitch corrections greater than that tend to take another full pass. I take my tuning fee, subtract the amount I assign to travel, divide by two and that is my pitch adjustment fee which is added to my regular tuning charge. The larger than 100 cent adjustments are charged 2 pitch adjustment fees (I don't see many of these). I don't look at the charge as a time related issue but a value related issue. If a repair job takes a average technician 4 hours to complete but I have the skills and tools to complete the same job at the same quality level in 3 hours should I charge just 3 hours? For the average technician to achieve the same results of my pitch adjustment and tuning would take longer than a standard tuning. I find it necessary to charge for pitch adjustments because I believe a technician needs to charge an amount that is equal to the value of the service given. I think I addressed your questions. If not, feel free to ask for clarification. Richard Raskob raskobrg@spinn.net
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