Tuning problems

[A440A@aol.com]

Antares writes: 
<< Steinways are the most difficult of 'em all because of the fact that 
the tuning pins have no tuning pin dowels. This means that the tuning 
pins have more torque and are easier to 'bend'.
Bending, or leaning on tuning pins is forbidden so we really have to 
move the pin while tuning. >>

  I must repectfully disagree.  I find the Steinway pianos to very easy to 
tune.  Also, while bending a pin is what I consider damaging, flexing or 
leaning on the pins is a very valuable technique for getting a very stable 
tuning. In tuning, the pin is going to twist between the hammer and block 
while being turned, the tuner must learn to compensate for this twist in the 
placement of tension in the top string.  The same goes for flexing the pin, 
it is just another distortion that the tuners wrist must learn to read.  
   In bringing a string sharp, we must assume that the top string's tension 
exceeds that of the speaking length by the amount of friction at the agraffe 
or capo bar.  Then,  relaxing the grip on the hammer, the pin's twist 
resolves, thereby lowering the top string tension.  On a very tight block, 
this untwisting may be great enough to allow the string to drop, while on a 
very loose block, the amount of twist may be so slight that the top string 
and speaking length will equalize.  A slight "flatward" push on the pin will 
then usually tell the tuner how much difference there is between the 
tensions.  
   There is a zone of stability available to the tuner where the top string 
tension is slightly, or greatly above the speaking length, while the friction 
of the agraffe is sufficient to keep the speaking length stable,.  On a 
Steinway, with pins in the 100 in/lb range, it is usually very easy to move 
flatward until the pitch is exactly where I want it, then by relaxing the 
hammer, the combination of twist and flex restores the additional topstring 
tension to a secure level.  
    Since I tune more than a few of my pianos perhaps 100 times a year, I am 
very keen on not damaging pinblocks or pins, and using the slight amount of 
flex greatly eases the process of fine tuning.  I am not talking about 
bending a pin so that it is not straight!  
   
Regards,  
Ed Foote RPT 
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html