Manipulating the tension: i.e. tuning! A nominal pitch raise can easily add 1500 pounds of tension to the structure of a piano. I'm not guessing how much or in which ways the structure moves around, but we certainly know that it does. I agree that tuning the piano will cause instability. But my question is, and which is what we've been discussing, what causes a piano go out of tune when it's not being tuned, much less being played? Wim -----Original Message----- From: Ryan Sowers <tunerryan at gmail.com> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Fri, Apr 2, 2010 11:25 am Subject: Re: [pianotech] Grey market pianos, seasoned pianos, etc. Manipulating the tension: i.e. tuning! A nominal pitch raise can easily add 1500 pounds of tension to the structure of a piano. I'm not guessing how much or in which ways the structure moves around, but we certainly know that it does. On Fri, Apr 2, 2010 at 12:47 PM, <tnrwim at aol.com> wrote: I just explain to folks that the piano is under 35,000-40,000 pounds of tension. The structure, even though it is strong, is flexible and will bend and twist to some degree when manipulating the tension. This is why the piano's tuning has to be reasonable close to proper tension before a fine tuning can be executed. Ryan Good explanation. Now, what causes the piano to "bend and twist to some degree"? You say "when manipulating the tensions". What is it that is manipulating the tension? WIm -----Original Message----- From: Ryan Sowers <tunerryan at gmail.com> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Fri, Apr 2, 2010 9:41 am Subject: Re: [pianotech] Grey market pianos, seasoned pianos, etc. I just explain to folks that the piano is under 35,000-40,000 pounds of tension. The structure, even though it is strong, is flexible and will bend and twist to some degree when manipulating the tension. This is why the piano's tuning has to be reasonable close to proper tension before a fine tuning can be executed. We rarely go into this when quoting prices over the phone. We tell people that for most pianos we recommend a 2-hour service appointment ($200). If the piano is way out of tune this will cover mostly tuning. If the tuning takes less time there are always other maintenance issues that can be addressed. This satisfies most prospective clients. If the piano has been well maintained then there is a chance it will be an hour and a half appointment ($155). On the suggestion of Carl Lieberman, we started quoting the higher price first. This creates an expectation. Then the client is really happy on the occasions that the appointment is less then 2 hours. When they anticipate a higher fee, and then you bill them less, it really secures your reputation as an honest and fair business person. Ryan Sowers, RPT Puget Sound Chapter Olympia, WA www.pianova.net -- Ryan Sowers, RPT Puget Sound Chapter Olympia, WA www.pianova.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100403/b90eaf6a/attachment.htm>
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