Three questions about tuning

[BobDavis88@AOL.COM]

Mjacobucci@cs.com writes:

> When I come upon a neglected instrument (several years since being 
>  tuned) I always attempt to warn the customer before hand (in fact mostly 
>  during the intial phone call)  that it may need several tunings in order 
to 
>  remain at pitch and in tune....   Explaining  
>  the necessity sometimes sounds a little squirrelly though. What is the 
most 
>  honorable way to handle this?  

Mark,
When you say "honorable" I assume you mean fair and straightforward. I 
haven't found that clients are surprised when I tell them, in the first phone 
conversation, that a piano which has not had regular maintenance (at least 
once a year) sometimes requires a little additional time for me to stabilize 
the tension at standard pitch before I can do a fine tuning that will stay 
put. I tell them that my regular tuning fee is $XX, plus any additional time 
for the pre-tuning, and that that extra time very seldom exceeds [insert your 
rate for one hour]. I charge only for what it takes. After the tuning, I 
mention the need for regular, at least annual, service, and suggest retuning 
in six months for at least this time.

If the tuner is clear in his/her own mind that the extra time is the result 
of lack of necessary service [I almost said "neglect", but that is 
unnecessarily pejorative], it becomes obvious to both tuner and client why it 
is fair [and honorable] to charge a little more for the extra effort.

You mentioned "extra tunings." If the piano is properly pre-tuned, it should 
sound absolutely fine six months later [given stable humidity, of course]. I 
believe Al Sanderson says that a piano may be fine-tuned when within 5 cents. 
I think this is WAAY too wide, and suggest quick passes until it is within 
1-2 cents of wherever you want it. An experienced tuner can get most pianos 
to this point (I am assuming standard pitch in any but the most extreme 
circumstances) in 20-45 minutes, so it is more cost-effective for the client 
than retuning in a few days or weeks. If return visits are required, I would 
suggest more focus on efficient pre-tuning.

Good luck,
Bob Davis
Stockton, CA