Wim/Pitch raise experiment

[sid blum]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: Wim/Pitch raise experiment


> I base pitch raising fee on number on pitch raising passes. That piano
would
> have gotten two pitch raise passes charged at 0.5 times regular tuning fee
> each. First pass up to pitch and the second pass with the appropriate
small
> overpull (actually I often go through the top two octaves or so an
> additional time to minimize the amount of overpull needed).
>
> Terry Farrell
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kevin E. Ramsey" <ramsey@extremezone.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 8:23 PM
> Subject: Re: Wim/Pitch raise experiment
>
>
> >     If we're taking a vote here, you can count me with Greg and Joe.
Last
> > Friday I did a 114 cent pitch raise on one of those big ol' Cable
> uprights,
> > made in about 1925. It was a little like tip-toeing through a mine
field,
> > but didn't break a single string. Used CLP, just as a preventative
> measure.
> > Checked bridges and struts before I started too. Good thing it was the
> last
> > one of the day. I decided right then, that the next time I do that I'm
> going
> > to have to charge more than I did this time. ( Which was my normal fee
> times
> > 1.5)  Next time, it's double.
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Greg Newell" <gnewell@ameritech.net>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 3:29 PM
> > Subject: Re: Wim/Pitch raise experiment
> >
> >
> > > Dave, Wim and list,
> > >     You may wish to start lubricating the strings with Protek CPL
before
> > > tuning these old beasts. I'm with Joe on this one. What good is a
piano
> > > that's perpetually flat in pitch? Isn't ear training just as important
> as
> > > finger training? I raise pitch on these old beasties all the time.
They
> > > have all come through just fine without so much as a whimper. I'm sure
> > > your also aware of how much livelier they sound when up to the pitch
> they
> > > were designed for. Never fails to get a "WOW" from the customer.
> > >     my two cents.


There are various issues here that I'm always trying to juggle, including
string breakage, structural problems, flatness versus tubbiness, and maybe,
most importantly, the most appropriate approach for the customer at the
moment.   Yesterday it was a seventy five year old upright which was more or
less functional except for the bass bridge...  Serious crack along the lower
pins, looked like tuning might be stable enough if additional string tension
didn't exacerbate the problem. Still enough side bearing on the upper pins
that it didn't sound horrible.  Average pitch around fifty cents flat.
These people can not afford even an epoxy job (of witch I still am not
convinced).

I have been fearlessly doing 150 cent pitch raises for years, but in this
case advised to leave piano flat and save money towards new piano.  Was I
shortchanging my customer?


(Oh yes, I charge 150% for pitch raises, the rate goes DOWN for each pass
since it is so fast)