[pianotech] SAT IV extended

[John Ross]

With all my SATs, including my SATlll, I find that the SAT numbers change, 
especially if done at a different time of the year.
I think the SAT #'s change with humidity, so I retake them each time.
The stored tunings in the SAT for different pianos, are, I think an average 
from different pianos.
Just my take.
John Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos at comcast.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 27, 2009 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] SAT IV extended


Saving to a page # is a little easier than inputting the FAC numbers even if
you don't have to actually measure.  BTW, I often come to pianos with FAC
numbers written on the plate and it's not unusual for my measurements to
vary, sometimes considerably.  Interestingly, I also often find that the
measurement can be so far off from what I know will produce a desired curve
(for example a "C" measurement of 9 or more when I know it will sound better
at around 7 or an A measurement on a Steinway that's around 9 or 10 when I
know that my preferred setting there is 7.5 - 8.0 and will sound better with
fewer adjustments when set there) that I often fudge the curve anyway and
check a few intervals to see if my "guess" is more correct.  Often it is.
Similarly I don't much pay attention to F measurements over 10.5 and always
check them aurally anyway but especially if they are high--overstretching
the bass is one of the things to watch on the SAT.  The degree of
variability in the actual measurement stage itself is another reason to be
careful and listen to what you've created.  Also, I've sort of come to the
conclusion that you can pretty much use a generic setting for a particular
model (say, a Steinway L, B or D).  I run into more problems when I try to
be very customized for the piano at the settings stage--too many anomalous
readings and settings that don't really work that well.  Either way, you
need to pay attention.

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com






Sent: Sunday, December 27, 2009 2:27 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] SAT IV extended

Hi James,

I have a SAT III and have had it for a long time.   I have never used the
memory function.   I have checked out the hysterical tunings areas but that
is it.   I usually enter the FAC onto the piano in pencil...grands at the F,
A, C plate area or on the upright hammers.   I just enter them into the FAC
sequence on my SAT when I come back to the piano and away I go.   Don't you
have to have some way of knowing where the memorized tuning is?  i.e.
University Room 32, Steinway or whatever.   I don't see the usefulness of
memorizing a FAC tuning?   Maybe you or anyone can explain to me the
reasoning behind memorizing tunings.   I can understand if you or saving an
aural tuning and want to recreate that tuning...

Thanks in advance...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044