The pitch raise speech

[Mark Dierauf]

On reflection I believe that I encounter far more string breakage when
starting within -5 cents of pitch than I do from -50 cents or more, and
living in the northeast it is not uncommon for even better maintained
pianos to be flatter than 20 cents in the depth of winter. Plate failure
has been virtually unknown to me since I started tuning almost 30 years
ago, and considering how many basement pianos I've tuned with highly
suspect or already failed glue joints in the backs I have concluded that
virtually all plates are much stronger than necessary to support full
string tension at A-440. 

Look carefully for evidence of past string breakage (tied strings,
"borrowed" coils, as well as missing or obviously replaced strings), and
DO protect yourself with warnings to owners of neglected instruments.
But having done that, pitch-raise away using overpull! If strings are
going to break I'd rather find out 5 minutes into a quick pitch-raise
than 45 minutes into a slow methodical one. 

Also be wary of spinets where the extreme angle of the wire between the
tuning pin and the bearing bar causes the wire to cross its own coil on
the bottom row of tuning pins. These are almost guaranteed to break
eventually.


- Mark Dierauf

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Doepke [mailto:doepkeb at comcast.net] 
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 1:26 PM
To: 'Pianotech List'
Subject: RE: The pitch raise speech

If the piano is more that 20 cents under, and the piano is older and
neglected, I explain that there is a higher chance of the strings
breaking
if I were to pull the string tension all the way back up to
standard/factory
tension.  I do explain to them that, based on how far flat it is, it may
take a few tunings to get the piano back to standard pitch.  Most folks
say
that they understand and are embarrassed that the piano went so long
without
service.  But, they are very happy after the tuning...even though it may
not
be up to standard pitch..because it sounds so much better to them.

Does that make sense?

Brian P. Doepke
 
AAA Piano Works, Inc.
260-432-2043
260-417-1298


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On
Behalf
Of Michelle Smith
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 12:36 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: The pitch raise speech

As a new tuner, I have read with much interest the non-emotional  
speech given to customers concerning the possible outcomes of a pitch  
raise.  (Plate failure, string breakage, etc.)

Is there a certain point (cents-wise) that you give this speech or is  
it based more on the condition/age of the instrument?

Also, I'm assuming the customer's answer is usually in favor of the  
pitch raise.  What do you do when they don't want to risk it?  Go  
home or tune the piano to itself?

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Michelle Smith
Student Tuner
Bastrop, Texas