So, no one knows !?? I'm quite surprised... I didn't expect those to be such difficult question... Philippe ----- Original Message ----- From: "Philippe Errembault" <phil.errembault at skynet.be> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 11:56 AM Subject: String tension (was : Birdcage pitch raise) > 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. >>> >> >> >
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