[pianotech] Tuning a Square

[Susan Kline]

 From a long time ago, when I used to tune squares, I remember taking 
out the whole damper assembly -- it lifts right off. In exchange for the 
noisiness one can trace which string is which much more easily.

If it has oblong pins, you might try what I did: I got one of those 
extenders which take a tip on the bottom and have a square conventional 
tuning pin shape on the top. I put the oblong tip on it. That way I 
could move the oblong tip from note to note without the tuning hammer 
being attached. It was much easier. Then I'd use my tuning hammer with 
the ordinary #2 tip to turn the little tower of oblong tip plus 
extender. It was a little sloppy, but not that bad. Saved a lot of 
poising the tuning hammer over the pins, trying to find the right one, 
and having to tune at awkward angles because of the oblong tip. (180 
degrees between the two options instead of the eight positions of the 
star tip.) If you use the extension lever pulled all the way out, you 
won't have to bend over quite so far, except for the short time it takes 
to move the oblong tip/extender from tuning pin to tuning pin. It feels 
a little precarious, with the long tuning hammer wobbling around that 
far above the pins, but I don't remember it falling off.

At least the wire won't be brittle and ready to pop.

Susan Kline


On 1/4/2011 5:17 PM, Conrad Hoffsommer wrote:
> Two things - get one of these and wear a kidney belt (or preschedule a 
> chiropractor visit.).
>
> Conrad Hoffsommer
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> From: hoppsmusic at hotmail.com
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2011 01:04:25 +0000
> Subject: [pianotech] Tuning a Square
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have been asked to tune a square grand that has been 
> refurbished..new strings, new hammers, case refinish and keytops. 
>  Dampers and soundboard are original.  I plan to leave the piano close 
> to the pitch it resides at now.  I don't know if the pinblock has been 
> changed.  Any advice on how to approach this job and pitfalls to look 
> out for I would appreciate the advice.
>
> I'm a little reticent.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steven Hopp
> Midland, TX

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