stability of pitch raises (Ron's question)

[Eugenia Carter]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Nossaman" <RNossaman@KSCABLE.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2001 2:33 PM
Subject: Re: stability of pitch raises (Ron's question)


************************************************************************
> If folks are habitually doing two pass tunings anyway, and since they're
> probably using an ETD that does pitch raises within a couple of cents of
> dead on in one pass (as we read repeatedly), why would they find it
> necessary to charge anything above the cost of a tuning for a pitch
> adjustment?
> ***********************************************************************

Define two pass tunings, please. If you mean raising or
lowering the pitch, no I don't habitually do that. If you mean going back
over quite a bit of the piano to make sure it's a stable tuning, yep I do
that almost every tuning.

Yes I use an ETD. I love my Accutuner!

When a piano is sharp or flat more than 5 cents, I am not capable of tuning
it in one pass so that the tuning will last long enough and stay stable long
enough for me to collect my check, gather my tools, get to my car and drive
away before some, or quite a few, notes slip out of tune. Ergo, it is
necessary for me to tune it at least twice, sometimes more depending on how
far out it is, to make it stable so that I am happy with the result and feel
good about collecting $$$ for the work I have just done. When I do extra
work, I charge extra for it.

> I also asked another related question regarding how those who charge for
> pitch adjustments based on how far off pitch the piano is, determine how
> far off pitch the piano is. I still haven't gotten an answer on this one,
> which baffles me.

Missed the question so...
If the piano is more than 5 cents off, overall, and it is necessary to tune
the piano at 440, then I will do a pitch raise/lower. Since I am doing extra
work, I charge extra for the extra work. When a piano is off pitch fairly
equally overall and is only a few cents off A440 and if the client is ok
with allowing me to float pitch, I will tune it where it is and not do a
pitch raise/lower and do not charge for something I didn't have to do.

>How can one compute charges on something they can't define?>

I do define it using my Accutuner. I measure the piano overall before I
begin tuning so that I know about how much it is off pitch overall.

None of my charges are set forth as punishment because the client hasn't
tuned their piano recently. My charges are based on the amount of work, and
especially the extra amount of work I have to do.

Having said all the above, there are many times I do pitch raises and do not
charge. Client relationships are always a factor for me. A steady client
whose piano has reacted adversely to humidity changes, yeah I'll pitch
raise/lower it and not charge. I do note it on the invoice though. And for
me, this is one of the bestest reasons for being an independent technician.
I get to decide what I charge and when to charge it. :-)

Good questions Ron. It's been enlightening and interesting reading the
responses.

Gina