[pianotech] tuned my first "bird_cage" piano

[Joseph Garrett]

Wim and Duaine said: "Duaine
 
Why did you take out the dampers? I is difficult, but the easiest way,
using a SAT and without a strip mute, is to put a rubber mute through the
action to dampen one of the strings for each note. 
 
Wim
 
 
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Duaine Hechler <dahechler at att.net>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Fri, Jan 6, 2012 8:22 pm
Subject: [pianotech] Tuned my first "bird-cage" piano
 
 
Tuned my first "bird-cage" piano - a Chappell & Co.
At first, I thought I would try it without taking out the dampers. Quickly
found 
hat the dampers had to go. THAT was 
uite a challenge tuning with the whole piano zinging. Quickly figured out
that 
he quieter I played each note the less 
ing you would get. Dang I wish I had a strip mute."
 
Duaine and Wim,
Yikes! Both of you are Wrong! I've been servicing Overdamper, (not
bird-cage), pianos for most of my career. I learned by trial and error and
talking to a few British Techs. The proper way to approach these pianos is:
1. Take the action out. 2. Strip mute the entire piano, under the damper
line. 3. Get a Papps Stick Mute!!! I can't stress this one enough! 4. Set
the temperament Tune down to A0 pull mutestrip out up to A3 & tune unisons
up to A3. 5. Check temperament & Tune up to top. 6. pull mute strip out of
every other one. Tune down to A3. 6. Pull the rest of the strips out. Tune
down to A3. (BTW, yes you have to pull the action out several times, while
doing this. It's easy to do and quityourwhining.<G)
If the piano was fairly close to pitch before you started,...you're done.
If it was a pitch raise...Do it all over again!<G> A hint: These pianos
really come into their own if you use a Victorian Temperament. AND,...take
your time. Schedule extra time so's ya can. I charge more for tuning these,
for good reason...it takes more time. Of course if the piano is not
structurally up to snuff, like any other one, it could be " not tuneable".
Keep in mind that most of these on "this side of the pond" are of a lesser
being because the Brits sent us, (via Antique Dealers), all their crappy
ones.<G> That's it in a large nut shell.
Joe


Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I