[pianotech] justify pitch raise

[Gerald Groot]

Pretty simple really.  Strike middle C or what tuning fork you use, place it
on the piano so it resonates, play the same note on the piano so they can
hear that it's 1 key flat or whatever it happens to be lifting the fork up
and down a couple of times, makes a bigger impression that way and then
explain how it has roughly 20 tons of tension on the strings up to pitch and
that much of our time is spent raising pitch on it. 

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Ryan Sowers
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 1:56 AM
To: l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] justify pitch raise

 

I used to carry around a needle type guitar tuner for showing client's
pitch. This was a tip I got once from Isaac Sadigursky. However I haven't
bothered for many years. I don't recall ever having to justify raising
pitch. We explain to people on the phone that the SERVICING (notice not
tuning) will be X amount of dollars for a 2-hour appointment. This will
include raising the piano to standard pitch if necessary, and depending on
time may include some minor cleaning, regulating and/or voicing. We then
tell them if the piano has been well maintained it could be lower, but I
won't know until I see the piano. 

An idea I got recently from L.A. Tech Carl Lieberman. When we quote our
prices over the phone we quote the maximum price first - since this is what
people are most likely to remember. Then they can be plesantly surprised if
the piano doesn't require as much time. We usually prepare people for the 2
hour appointment if they are a first time customer. 

On Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 10:25 PM, Leslie Bartlett <l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

I tuned for a first time customer today,a  piano teacher who said her Kawai
G3 had been regularly tuned (6-months) for years, and then missed a year
because the technician retired.  Unfortunately the piano was a disaster. In
Tunelab I could save all the overpull measurements and show the lady (a
masters degreed teacher) each note and it's relation to "0 cents".  Seeing
the mess, she understood immediately because she had a visual reference to
justify my contention.  But she was in agreement that had I just walked
in,and said "you need to pay me for a pitch raise", she would have been less
than sympathetic.

My question is "How do the strictly aural tuners justify or "prove" a need
for serious pitch raise, convincing people of the veracity of the claim?"
It seems with no measurable reference which provides some kind of proof
other than opinion, could be very problematic.   Opinions please. Thanks
les bartlett




-- 
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net



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