[pianotech] Thanks and further comments

[chip tuthill]

RCT has a program for this. Its called chiptuning.rctx in the RCT Documents 
file. Dean told me where to find it. It has no stretch. Only tunes the 
fundamental. RCT has difficulty reading the notes when they are this flat. I'd 
guess any ETD would also. Depending on where you finish, it either a small pitch 
raise or Smart Tune. In any event its going to take more than two passes- at 
least for me. 

I told the owner I needed to return to tune this beast within a month. That was 
15 months ago. I heard he was complaining about the tuning. This was his 
grandmothers spinet. Maybe it was tuned once 40 years ago. Lost customer- a 
small lose.

Chip



________________________________
From: Paul T Williams <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Thu, February 3, 2011 3:23:12 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Thanks and further comments

Me Too!!! 

Check out string conditions, rust, corrosion, action critter infestations, etc 
before even starting.  Otherwise, you'll be in for a world of hurt!  a couple of 
real sour notes will indicate a bad pin block. Try those first. If the tunining 
hammer starts to move after letting go, then let go of the project!! (generally 
speaking)   


300 cents makes me wonder why they're even wanting it tuned???  Is it for Junior 
or Miss to start taking lessons?  This might open up a can of worms that the 
customer just can't or won't want to hear.  Even when it was "grandmother's 
wedding gift" or whatever.  Go with a bit of caution into these kinds of 
pianos....This probably means the action is wasted as well....Or maybe never 
played...another observation to look at) 


No matter what the tuning method is.  If it's 300 cents flat, no matter how well 
it's tuned at first via aural or ETD, it'll be out of tune in a couple 
weeks,..and may sound more sour than when you started!!!  HINT! Follow ups like 
this need 2-3 follow up tunings in my mind. there again, more costs that the new 
customer had not even dreamed of..... 


I lived on an island in Washington state for several years.  I think I know what 
folks like Duaine are talking about as far as nasty old uprights. (that may 
indeed be nice ones with serious investments, btw)  Many of them never dreamed 
of what investments lay ahead! They probably thought it would take a couple 
hundred bucks to make it "just like new!!!" Those on the mainland were 
absolutely ready for it and were willing to pay for it, but even that rarely 
happened.  I fear the former for Duaine's situation. 


Paul 


      
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