pitch raising

[John Ross]

Hi Wim,
You hit it right on.
I do a pitch raise, and a fine tuning on one visit. As you do, I also
indicate it will
not stabilize, and to call me for a tuning again in the heating season, or
if it
bothers them
Due to the humidity fluctuations up here in the summer, 60% -90% in just a
few
days, I never recommend tunings in the summer. Of course special
circumstances
could dictate a summer tuning.
Most of these people do not notice the few cents that occur doing it on the
one visit.
The biggest change to be noticed, if one did come back in a few weeks, would
be due
to humidity changes.
My rational for just recommending one tuning per year, is then I am tuning
for the
amount the piano goes out, and not the seasonal changes. I am sure this is
better
for the piano.
At the University I have been tuning pianos at for the last 12 years, I
lower the
pitch in Sept. by about 30c, and when I do them again in Jan. I have to
raise them
about 30c. (I have tried to sell them Dampp- Chasers, and they say they
can't afford
them)  They also can't afford any more tunings, although the 3 Concert
Grands for
recitals and concerts, are tuned once a month or more.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.
----- Original Message -----
From: <Wimblees@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2000 11:27 AM
Subject: Re: pitch raising


> In a message dated 7/15/00 11:08:24 PM Central Daylight Time,
A440A@AOL.COM
> writes:
>
> << What to tell the customer about a 100 cent flat piano?  I say two
passes,
>  (one fast and the second very careful) will be needed on the first visit,
>  (currently  $150 worth of work, and I check the plate bolts and stuff as
> part
>  of this).  Then, anywhere from two or three weeks to two or three months,
>  they may want to tune it again, after which they are ready to resume a
> normal
>  tuning schedule.   >>
>
>
> One thing I have found with pianos that are 100 or so cents flat is that
they
> belong to people who really don't care that much about their piano. The
> exception is when someone has just bought a used piano from a friend or
> relative, who had ignored the piano.
>
> In any case, seldom will you find a piano in a performance situation,
where
> it HAS to stay at A440. After doing a major pitch raise, (I do a pitch
raise
> and tuning in one appointment), I tell my customers I need to see the
piano
> again in 6 months. I also tell them it will drift out of tune before that,
> because of the pitch raise. Although I send my customer a reminder card
after
> 6 months, it's amazing how few call me.
>
> Willem
>