Tuning Steinway Verticals

[David Vanderhoofven]

Hi Ed,

Here is a technique that works for me better than any other technique I have
tried.  This idea came from Newton Hunt a few years ago.  

I always do two passes through the tuning, first a rough tuning, then a fine
tuning.  On the first pass, just get it close and do not try to set the tuning
pin.  On the second pass, hold the tuning lever at about the 9:00 or 10:00
position.  I hold the tuning lever very far down on the handle close to the
tuning pin, and "massage" the wire into the correct pitch.  Don't manhandle
the
tuning pin or try to set the pin in the normal fashion.  Use lots of firm
blows, and use gentle pressure on the tuning lever until the string is at the
correct pitch.

John Musselwhite tunes lots of Steinway verticals, and he says he can tune any
Steinway vertical in 75 minutes, including pitch change.  I don't know what
technique he uses.

Sincerely,
David Vanderhoofven
Joplin, MO

At 08:40 AM 9/16/2003 -0400, you wrote: 
>
> Michelle-
>  
> Yesterday I ran into my customer who has a new Steinway vertical, and he
> threatened to call for a tuning appointment. 
>  
> Now that you have been shepherdess of a flock of S & S verticals for 3
years,
> would you please honor us with your wisdom on this topic?
>  
> Thank you.
>  
> Ed