Standard Pitch 1870 to Present

[Joe & Penny Goss]

Hi Terry,
Interesting idea, stainless would not rust, but what is the tensil strength,
and what size to get the same weight on the board.
Also in working with the stainless tuning hammers the steel that we were
using was much softer and marred easier than case hardened iron. So what
would be the effect at the capo or bridge pin?
Joe Goss
imatunr@srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 6:10 AM
Subject: Standard Pitch 1870 to Present


> I tuned a 1903 Everett upright yesterday. On the plate just  below the "V"
> bar at the low tenor was stamped in prominent black letters "International
> Pitch 435". This is the first time I have ever seen an indication of the
> designed pitch of a piano. I tuned it to 440 from up to a full step flat
> (little kid was to be taking lessons).
>
> I have three questions related to this pitch thing:
>
> 1) Any sweat tuning a piano designed for 435 to 440 beyond the string
> breakage potential? Basically, why not? I am asking about any piano - new
or
> old - but especially an old one, such as the Everett.
>
> 2) What has been the history of Standard International Pitch since about
> 1870 until present (the era in which most pianos we commonly see fall). I
> realize there may not be a good answer to this, as it may be unknown
and/or
> many standards existing simultaneously. I have read the stuff in the
> Journal, but it is very inconclusive in this area. What I am getting at is
> are there any GOOD guidelines for the pitch to tune specific piano types?
> For instance - should all squares be tuned to 435 - or maybe European
pianos
> before 1890 should be tuned to bla, bla - or any general guidelines. Or is
> there something about the design of the piano that might dictate its
optimal
> pitch? Or just screw it, and tune 'em where you want them to be?
>
> 3) I would like to try the new stainless steel Absolute Sound wire. They
> make two strengths - regular strength for "older pianos" and high strength
> for "modern pianos". So I have a square I am restringing. I also have a
1900
> Bechstein that I will be restringing. Is my Bechstein an older piano? Yes.
> Is it modern? Looks modern also to me. (I have talked to Absolute Sound
> folks, and I get the feeling their recommendations are just "shooting from
> the hip".) Should the selection of the string type depend on a stringing
> scale analysis (by a knowledgeable analyst - not me)? Are we getting into
> "low tension scales" and "high tension scales" with this? Are these two
> general classifications where these two types of strings would be used?
What
> is a "low" and "high" tensions scale? A low scale on the same piano would
> have lower tension and less mass for any given string? In general, why
would
> a designer choose a low or high tension scale?
>
> Am I asking too many questions? I suspect someone will simply provide me
> with a reference. That would be OK. But I suspect some of the above
> questions will not be answered in a book. Hoping for both I guess. Thanks
to
> anyone.
>
> Terry Farrell
>