[pianotech] My first square

[paulmulik at yahoo.com]

A university that I tune for has received the gift of a restored Schomacker square grand, circa 1870. Perhaps it was one of those things they were compelled to accept, so as not to potentially offend a wealthy donor -- a white elephant, if you will. 

I looked it over for a few minutes today. 
It is a truly beautiful piece of furniture. I don't know how long ago the restoration was done; the strings and tuning pins look brand new, but it sounds as if it has never been tuned since. Not one to back down from a challenge, I'm going to attempt to tune this baby in the next few days. I tried my regular tuning lever (with an extra long head) for size and it looks like it should work fine. 

I have never attempted to tune a square before. I assume this piano should not be tuned to A440, correct?  Maybe 435?  Anybody have any other advice?

Thanks,
Paul Mulik
Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone