low end pianos

[Conrad Hoffsommer]

At 00:39 12/30/2004 -0800, you wrote:
>My attitude regarding the low end piano is the antithesis of a  comment I 
>read here on the list a few years ago: "I put a timer on the piano  and 
>when 45 minutes passes, the piano is tuned."
>
> >Mine too.
>
>Yes, it's harder  to tune that beast, but I think no one would argue the 
>fact that we tuners  offer service to people.  Some people own 
>Steinways.  Some people  own other pianos.
>
> >Case in point: I tune almost any piano within 15 minutes of my house 
> (any farther and it s pretty much only good grands.) Today I tuned a 
> Wurlitzer console; it was a neighbor s grandma s piano, with a card from 
> Francis Mehaffey stuck in the top (Grandma lived in Claremont, CA, where 
> Francis lived.)
>
>Anyway, I didn t just run through it, but tuned it as I would tune a good 
>grand---slowly and carefully.
>
>When it was done, and I played it, the first thing out of my mouth was 
>that s the best this little guy has ever sounded.
>
>A good, focused tuning can make a huge difference in a C grade piano.  Really.

>David Andersen


DEFINITELY!!

The only reason that a tuning on a C-grade piano could take any less time 
is that the point of diminishing returns is reached earlier.  Usually, it 
takes longer because of reasons we all know.

My tuning is done when _I'm_ satisfied that it has the best tuning possible.
i.e. - I tune for my own pleasure...

Questions I ask myself before I close up the piano:
1. Is it the best tuning the piano can take?
2. Is the piano in better condition (exclusive of tuning) than when I found it?
3. Have I addressed all the concerns the customer may have voiced?





Conrad Hoffsommer, RPT, MPT, CCT, PFP, ACS, CRS.
Decorah, IA

- Certified Calibration Technician for Bio-powered Digitally Activated 
Lever Action Tone Generation Systems.
- Pianotech Flamesuit Purveyor
- American Curmudgeon Society - Apprentice Member and Founder