String tension (was : Birdcage pitch raise)

[Philippe Errembault]

Hello,

I own one of these old birdcages, and I had no problems raising it to A440,
and it raised even more by itself once because of an humidity change, yet I
didn't observe any problem. (I'm talking here about ~50-70 cents changes)

My observation, was that the string tension in this piano, was quite low,
and that this could be the reason why this piano had no problem with the
raise.

I also observed that this piano is quite soft, even when pounding the keys
it doesn't play really loud (No need for earmuffs for example). I wondered
if this is related with the low tension ?

Also, Terry Farrel said that string tension raised by design over the years.
It is something I deduced from my observations. but what is the point in
raising the string tension ? Does it reduce inharmonicity ? or is there any
other reason ?

Philippe Errembault

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 4:39 AM
Subject: Re: Birdcage pitch raise


> The only thing you can do is inform the piano owner of the piano's 
> potential in its present condition and how it will (or won't) fulfill a 
> budding pianists needs. Sounds like you did that. After that, you do the 
> work, notifying the owner of no guarantees on bandaid tasks, and collect 
> the check. If you cashed the check before it plummeted 70 cents flat, I'd 
> say you did good!
>
> I don't understand your point about English cheapo piano pinblock 
> "design". Is it the fact that the upper speaking length termination is a 
> bridge pin set in a wooden termination bar? If so, I would say that it is 
> not a cheapo design. It is how many did that termination for many, many 
> decades. I suppose it became a less-favored design as string scale 
> tensions increased, but it is not an inherently "bad" design. Certainly on 
> a modern piano the design would often see structural failure. But on 
> Beethoven's pianos, it likely would have held up pretty well.
>
> Yes?
>
> Terry Farrell
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> Another fine example of English cheapo piano pinblock "design".
>>
>> I first tuned this something over a year ago. It had been bought for the
>> couple's child by Grandad, and was 400 cents low, yes a major third.  At
>> that pitch, it really was unplayable, sounding glassy and dreadful. I
>> siuggested to the couple that if we were going to raise the pitch, it 
>> might
>> as well be to A440, as at least two tunings would be involved anyway.  I
>> raised it to A440 and it seemed OK.  Last week they had me back.  It had
>> sunk, very evenly, to 70 cents flat, where, I suggested, we should just 
>> keep
>> it. I tuned it at that pitch and it's OK.  The funny thing is, the action 
>> is
>> quite nice and even, except for some hammer bounce caused by very worn
>> balance hammer leather.  We agreed that if the kid sticks at piano for
>> another six months or a year, then it will be time to get him something
>> better.
>>
>> But in the first instance, what would you have done folks? Refused to 
>> tune
>> the old thing and tell them to get another?  I did weigh up that option.
>> But in the end, it came up to pitch with  nothing drastic happening, and
>> they've had over a year's learning out of it.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> David.
>>
>
>