A-440 and Ethics.

[Joe And Penny Goss]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
Hi Julia and David,
Same here over 30 years of tuning and never a crack. Even when I took =
all of the screws out of a Wegman upright,  that was to be taken to the =
dump, and wacked the plate with an eight pound sledge on the struts =
first and then on the thin parts.=20
If a piano is over 20 cents low it is going to take two times through =
any way.
And if over 100 cents three times at least. My practice is to bring the =
piano up to pitch and then wait a month for a good fine tuning.
Before the fine tuning all the strings are seated to the bridge, this =
usually drops the pitch 10 to 15 cents. I am usually doing the pitch =
raise with a SATlll and the Verituner listening for the final pass.
That is for arround home here, and if off in the boon docks, the fine =
tuning pass is also done, as a round trip of 200 miles for one piano is =
not worth it.
One other thing that helps to keep old strings from breaking and my blue =
language in check, is to use a light oil on the pressure bar and =
agraffes or upper bridge pins etc. I use a hipo oiler with a very fine =
needle and a rag to mop up the excess.
Joe Goss RPT
Mother Goose Tools
imatunr@srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: David Ilvedson=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 10:08 AM
  Subject: Re: A-440 and Ethics.


  Julia,

  Why don't we ask the List if anyone has had a plate crack during a =
pitch raise.   I've been working on pianos for 30 years and it has never =
happened to me.  =20

  David I.



  ----- Original message ---------------------------------------->
  From: <Alpha88x@aol.com>
  To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
  Received: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 11:18:18 EST
  Subject: Re: A-440 and Ethics.


  Greetings,=20

              Usually, when I get a tuning call, it is a piano which =
hasn't been kept up the tunings on. I always ask how long since it was =
last tuned. They usually don't know.. especially if they have taken in =
an "orphan" piano.

               I do not like to raise the A4 pitch on any piano more =
than say 1/4 a tone or so, if it's been neglectd tunings. This is =
because I don't want to run the risk of cracking anyone's harp plate, =
let alone breaking strings. Especially on the little spinets, whose =
plates are 5/8" or less thick.

                When I get to the house, I check the A-440 and it's =
octaves and get an idea of the overall tone of the piano; whrere it went =
flat the most. I always explain the concept of A-440 to the customer, =
and more times than not, it doesnt matter to them if its up to A-440 or =
not.=20

             They just would like it in tune with itself. I also explain =
that pianos are designed to be tuned to A-440 for best results. (unless =
it is an extremely old, dry upright that's seen better days and wont let =
you even gradually take it up that far, even with subsequent =
tunings/loose pins or bridges coming off) I tune it the best I can get =
it, to sound at the A-4?? and suggest subsequent tunings so we can =
gradually get it there. They agree to a reminder card from me for follow =
ups ....say, 4 to 6 mo for the first follow-up. I also inform them that =
with each tuning the piano becomes more stable and to never let a piano =
go more than 2 years max.

            On hearing these pianos, they are so, so neglected and out =
of tune, the piano always sounds better upon my departure, and thats all =
alot of folks want in order to start the kid's lessons, without paying =
"an arm and a leg".  With customers who are more vigilant of how their =
piano sounds is another matter.

            My tuning teacher used to say "As long as it sounds a lot =
better when you leave than from when you arrived".=20

  Julia,=20
  Reading, PA=20

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/b2/93/55/92/attachment.htm

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--