[pianotech] (no subject)

[Norm Barrett]

For me when doing a pitch raise of even about 20 cents or more, I like 
to point out to the customer how the tone quality "just blooms" as the 
string comes up to proper pitch. This is almost always the case.

Norm Barrett

Patrick Mackey wrote:
> Chuck and Julia and List, 
> This brings up an issue I have been wondering about.  Is there any 
> reason to think that leaving a piano a half-step flat is actually 
> harmful?  It seems that any time I run across a piano that's been left 
> flat, it is likely to have separated bass bridge/apron, ribs loose, 
> long bridge cap unglued, etc.  I  am thinking mostly of uprights if 
> that makes any difference.  
> Also, I would like to be included in your photo list.  
> Also this is my first posting, I've been enjoying the list form the 
> sidelines for a while and so want to express my appreciation to 
> everyone who contributes.
> Patrick Mackey
> New Orleans
>
> Greetings,
>
>         Are people with "perfect pitch" really bothered by  music played
> on an old upright that is tuned say,  60 cents or a half step flat 
> because it
> cant be brought up to pitch?
>
>
> Thank you,
> Julia
> PA
>
> Julia - In my experience, a lot of the times when someone calls and 
> tells me that there piano can't be tuned up to pitch, it turns out 
> that it's at the advise of a tuner who either doesn't want to risk 
> breaking strings (which of course can be repaired or replaced), or who 
> truly believes it will harm the piano, or is just too lazy to put in 
> the extra time and effort. The only circumstance that would cause me 
> to recommend against a pitch raise would be a crack (even just a 
> hairline one) in the plate. I did have a plate break once under those 
> circumstances, and never want to see it happen again.
> .
> Aside from string breakage, or pin slippage, there usually is no 
> reason a piano may not be brought back to pitch. If I were to advise a 
> customer on the procedure, I would warn them about the potential for 
> additional cost for string replacement, and also give them my standard 
> warning about the possibility of breaking the plate, which I compare 
> to the chances of an airliner going down. In other words, it could 
> happen, but it's sure not very likely.
>
>  I also explain that until the piano stabilizes, it will need to be 
> tuned often, as in at least twice a year, and not let go again for 
> another decade. Otherwise they will be back in the same boat all over 
> again.
>
> If a customer insists on tuning the piano flat, I will do it once, but 
> then defer to another tuner. Chuck
>