Boston Beans

[Robert Goodale]

I'm tearing my hair out trying to get Boston uprights tuned
and stayed in tune.  Several years ago I thought maybe it
was me but I'm pretty sure that's not the case anymore.
When I was working at the university in Northern Arizona
they purchased ten of them.  For nearly two years I
struggled with the things.  The local dealer here in Vegas
had their annual sale at UNLV recently and I have picked up
the work from the pianos that have sold.  I again
encountered a Boston upright today from someone who
purchased it at the university sale.  Again I experienced
the unpleasant experience getting the thing tuned.

My specific peeve  at present is the UP118S and the family
of pianos included in this design.  The tuning pins flagpole
all over the place.  The slightest touch and the hyperactive
things change the pitch.  Taping the strings to the bridges
helps to a slight degree but it is not a cure.  I believe
the problem exists in pressure bar design or in the pins
themselves.  This is not unlike many Steinway uprights.  I
could be politically correct about it, (watch it boys,
Steinway is listening), but I think we all have experienced
these damn things.

So... I would be interested in hearing any techniques that
some folks out there might have come up with to deal with
these.  Please, help me regain my sanity!!

Rob Goodale, RPT
University Nevada, Las Vegas