Tuning a Duo/Art player piano

[Hechler Family]

Samuel,

Yes, I have tuned several of these. First, you will need to tell the
customer that you will need to disconnect (unscrew) the rinky-tick rail
and the device that is blocking the tuning pin. Also, you will need to
charge your normal tuning fee -as well as- some dollar per hour value
for disconnecting and reconnecting the above items. Some of the ones
I've tuned are mid-height models so getting to the strings for mutes is
tedious but doable.

Most of those models are NOT able to remove the player action without
MAJOR trouble - usually the tubing goes from the tracker bar to each
side of the cabinet and down to the wind chest. Even to do an adequate
job to regulation, the whole player top will need to be removed - which
involves labeling each tube, unhooking the tubing from the valve block
underneath the keybed, pulling the tubing up through each side, removing
the top player action - then - do your regulation - then reversing the
process. (That is why I got rid of my 70's player and buying an antique
player and restoring it)

About the only other advise is - have major patience and stay calm.

Good luck,
Duaine

Samuel Choy wrote:
> Hello list,
>
> I have a job on Thursday to tune a Duo/Art player piano, about 30
> years old. I have not tuned a player piano...but fortunately the
> client let me take a look at it before I decided whether to accept the
> job. I was up front with him that I have not tuned  player piano
> before and would not charge him if I do not think I'm up to the task.
>
> Problem is, it has a device in it that lowers between the strings and
> the hammers to give it a "rinky tink" sound.  On key 88, the device
> blocks the lowest tuning pin. I think I can work around it. Anyway,
> has anyone out there worked on a Duo/Art player? Anything gotcha's I
> should look out for?
>
> Regards,
>
> Samuel Choy.

-- 
Duaine Hechler
Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ
Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding
Associate Member of the Piano Technicians Guild
Reed Organ Society Member
St. Louis, MO 63034
(314) 838-5587
dahechler at charter.net
www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com