[pianotech] My first square

[Susan Kline]

I assume that this rebuilt square has normal tuning pins, instead of the 
oblong ones?

There's a tip for the oblong ones, but of course one has less choice for 
tuning hammer
angle, with only two positions possible instead of 8.

There's a little extender available, where you can screw any tuning tip 
onto a normal square
tuning pin top. This works on the oblong pins -- put the extender with 
an oblong tip
onto the right tuning pin, then put the normal tuning hammer onto the 
extender, at
any convenient angle. It's a little tall and wobbly, but quite possible.

It also helps with the backache problem, and the awkwardness of leaning 
over to find
the right tuning pin. The extender is easier to move around accurately 
than the whole
tuning hammer. Having the lid off also helps -- better light.

Persistence and frequent breaks will see you right. Figure out some good 
stretches.

Time was, all tuners had to tune squares -- just routine work, back then.

Susan Kline

paulmulik at yahoo.com wrote:
> 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
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