My First Wedgie

[Ken Jankura]

I tuned a 1929 Wurlitzer prenatal (under 5') grand today that hadn't been
tuned in years. It was about 10cts. flat at A4. And really really tight
pins, I almost thought it was a Baldwin :-)  The pins also felt a little
funny but good, not the jumpy snappy quality they should have if they were
really as tight as they are. I reached my fingers under to feel the pinblock
and lo and behold there was none. Neat little pin ends sticking down below
the plate that were split with a little wedge in each. Someone may have
driven the wedges up a little too enthusiastically at some point to renew
pin torque or not, I have no way of knowing. But I felt like I could put as
stable a tuning on this piano as I have ever done. My arm was tired when I
finished, but those unisons weren't going anywhere. The rest of the piano
was about like you'd expect from a neglected old tiny grand, but I sure
would like to tune a few more of this type to see if they all tuned so
securely. A nice little treat to start my day. I love this business!
Ken Jankura