This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment William, Yes, these two pianos are definitely at the extreme ends of the humidity reactivity spectrum. Tuning pins are very tight in the block; I wouldn't use 3/0 pins without reaming first. But loose pins wouldn't make the pitch go sharp like that, so I will be checking block to plate fit and plate bolt tightness as others have mentioned. Since the tuning is so reactive, I will definitely be installing a DC system (which I very seldom do in this Pacific Coast town). I was wondering what could be going on with the soundboard itself that would cause the treble to move so much. But I guess that board/plate shifting would explain it better. Good idea about pieces of hardboard for moving the piano out from the wall. For a fussy customer, one could put some felt on the bottoms and raise the piano with a modified pry bar (Yat Lam Hong idea that Isaac had made and Joe Goss sold). Tom Cole William R. Monroe wrote: >Tom, > >To me the mystery is why the Schimmel seems to be so good. With that kind >of humidity level, I'd expect any piano to respond similarly. I'd second >David's suggestion for a DC system - invaluable for any piano IMO. My line >is something like, "if it is worth tuning, it's worth keeping in tune." > >When it is restrung, you'll be using larger pins anyway, but I'd make sure >to measure the torque on the pins if not sooner, when you remove them. >Check the archive for info on using larger pins and restringing as far as >prep of the block goes. > >I like to carry four pieces of 1' x 3' hardboard in the car. Lift the piano >and place each under a caster, aimed in the direction you wish to travel. >Sometimes they will need to be moved, but are easily spun around again to >face the direction of travel. > >Respectfully, >William R. Monroe > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Thomas Cole" <tcole@cruzio.com> >To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> >Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 11:58 PM >Subject: Knabe Tuning Mystery > > > > >>The piano is an 1895 Knabe, art case upright in exceptional but original >>condition. The problem is tuning instability. I tuned it one year ago >>along with a Schimmel grand in the same room. The Schimmel sounded >>beautiful today, so much so that I declined to tune it. But the Knabe >>has become unplayable and out of tune in way I've never seen before. >> >>Because of heavy rains, the humidity is higher than when I last tuned >>the Knabe (72%). I noticed the tenor strings were a little sharp, >>getting sharper at the tenor/treble break. Then the treble started out >>+25 cents and the top few notes were at or near +50 cents. Bass was >>slightly sharp. >> >>The owner says that the Knabe tuning never lasts more than two or three >>weeks. He plays it much more than the grand, so this is a factor, but he >>is not a heavy player. The owner wants to restring, because strings are >>starting to break, but not change the soundboard. The board, bridges and >>pins look like new, but I was not able to check crown (owner afraid of >>hardwood floor damage if I move it). >> >>How can I find out what is causing this tuning instability? Why would >>the tuning go so sharp in the treble, as opposed to the tenor where you >>would expect? Can anything be done in the course of a restringing to >>improve stability? >> >>Tom Cole >>on the Left Coast >> >>_______________________________________________ >>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >> >> >> >> > > >_______________________________________________ >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives > > > > ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/de/dd/da/86/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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