Rob: My only question is the use of the phrase "fine tune" after such a relatively large change in pitch. I also do pitch raising, separately charged, with an immediately following tuning to stabilize the piano as much as possible, but I don't characterize it as "fine". Actually, I characterize it as "adequate", given the circumstances, and urge my clients to have me back sooner (within 3 months generally) for another tuning. I tell them that the piano is going to be relatively more unstable between the work I just did for them and the next tuning than it will be between the next tuning and all subsequent tunings because of the new stresses put on the piano with such a raise in pitch. Generally, I feel that I can make a serious argument for pitch work which is a separate charge when the piano is in the range of 8-10 cents flat/sharp or more. On most home pianos even at 8 cents or so flat/sharp, I will float the pitch around A440 if the piano is one that I see only twice a year (or sometimes less). I present the pitch work as an extra charge in all cases where there are greater deviations. It requires a bit of serious communication with the client to help them understand the simple physical (physics) reasons for the seemingly redundant procedure. Most of them get it. Some don't. The latter find other tuners. Paul In a message dated 8/1/2009 6:34:52 P.M. Central Daylight Time, rob at mccallpiano.com writes: Greetings list, I just tuned a Samick JS-118 upright yesterday that hadn't been tuned in 7 years (It had 1 tuning right after they bought it brand new and that was it!). It was flat by about 73 cents below the break, and about 45 cents flat above the break. Pretty consistent throughout. All in all, it turned out very well after a pitch raise and then a fine tune. My question to all of you... What do you use as your criteria for charging extra for pitch raises? When is it a "pitch raise" to you? This particular piano was pretty clear cut, but do you have a point of no return? 20-25 cents? Less or more? I use a SAT IV along with some aural checks to back the machine up... I'm still earning my wings in this industry and I'm trying to get an idea of what is considered normal (if there is such a thing!). Thanks in advance. Regards, Rob McCall Murrieta, CA **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222846709x1201493018/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd =JulystepsfooterNO115) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20090801/1f4bad8a/attachment.htm>
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